The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-08-01
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: MT. MoGREGoR, N. Y, July 23.-General
Grant died at sos this morning. His death
was peaceful and easy. Pain and suffer-
ing left his sido for many hours before
death entered the door, Like Henry Clay,
he had felt dread of pain at the end, and
like that great statesman, his last fears of
the day of his final dissolution vanished.
For long time he had perfect knowl-
edge that he was going to die. He was re-
signed and showed no desire to avoid the
subject, or vain regret that it was in
evtable. So quiet, easy and gentle was
the approach of the final conquerer of all,
that he was conscious of the rising of the
sun upon his last day. His closed eyes
gave no greeting to its first ray, which shot
through the open blinds and Illuminated
the portrait of Lincoln hanging beside his
own over the bed, and he ceased to draw
his last gentle breath as it passed Off, leav-
ing the picture again in gloom. The weary
watch of his last night on earth was
shared by all the family, his two physi-
clans and his faithful attendants, DR..
Sands having left after the last
consultation and retired early to
bed. DR.. Douglas, worn out by
his almost sleepless vigilance, dozed, while
DR.. Shrady took his place on guard, and
tho family fitted in and out, returning
often, as If they could not keep away from
the sick room. The General was lying al
most fiat upon his back, n little inclined to
the right side, on the folding bed which
4 I. L 4
and shoulders propped up by pillows, and
appeared perfectly easy. Until within
the past two days this position had
been impossible on account of the
filling up of the throat, bringing on fit of
choking, but he was now so weak that the
muscles had relaxed, and were no longer
capable of the necessary exertion. The
feeble and painless effort to cough now
and then was all that was heard. No ex-
animation of the throat had been made
since week ago, when it was looked at in
the sunlight, and proofs of the steady pro-
gress of the disease then assured speedy
end.
The hypodermic injections of brandy
were continued with greater frequency, but
without effect. When first resorted to they
caused a reaction and rallying of the life
force, but the reserve was exhausted. They
were only given to steady the pulse, which
was constantly tagging, and sometimes
was so weak thatit could not be counted al
all. Sometimes the injections were only
five minutes part, and at other times 6
half hour or nearly an hour would elapsed
before u repetition became necessary
The patient was fast growing weaker anC
weaker. Henry kept a moistened handker
chief to his lips and drops of milk wer,
given him, but he could no longer swallow
Respiration, which at the seven o'clocl
examination was thirty, steadily grew
more rapid as it became shallower
Abdominal action ceased almost en-
tirely, and there was only short, fee
BILE painting to show that he was breath
ing at all. All this time he was onl,
semi conscious, but he showed intelligence
by weak and futile attempts to clear hi
throat. Other means were used to stimu
late physical action. Mustard plaster
were applied to the body, hot salt bags t.
the legs, and hot water bottles to the feet
but both hands and feet were cold ant
clammy before midnight. He was pas
rallying. Nothing remained but to max
the end as easy rs possible.
Colonel Fred Grant would come in ever,
now and then and smooth his brow, but h
seemed conscious of nothing around him
just after midnight DR.. Newman fell upol
his knees, and the family joined him j,
prayer. The pulse grew weaker an,
weaker, and the respiration more rapid
rising to forty -four. -
He once more tried to clear his throat
but it was the last effort He did not ut
tempt it again, though his face was still
calm, and he did not experience any pain
About two hours later he with difffcult,
uttered the word "water," and lust befor
three, in response to Question by his so
II he felt pain, he muttered "no" almos
unconsciously, and never spoke again.
The family, tired and strained with thei
long and harassing vigils, threw them
selves into easy chairs and on to lounge
to snatch moments rest, relying on Dl
Shrady to call them if. there was>a chang,
None came, though the sick man was the
past all knowledge of the ministration
which were still going on increasingly.
AT half past seven, Henry, the nurs,
who, with DR.. Douglas, were watchn
with the dying hero, noticed signs of col
lapse. The family were instantly sum
moned, and came at once, though no on
thought of arousing the tired childre
sleeping on the floor above. DR.. Dougla
arose from his seat at the head of the be-
and withdrawing gave his place to Colon,
Grant, who put his hand on his father
forehead and began stroking it, while i
lifted the thin and wasted hand in hi
Mrs. Grant sat in chair opposite wit
Nellie behind her. "Buck" Grant stoo
at the foot, while Jessie, back of Ii
head of the bed, was tanning b
fathers face, which felt no coolin
current of air. DR.. Shrady stood
little further away. DR.. Sands was mes
the window, Henry in the corner and Hal
rison instinctively stepped to the doc
All stood in silence until just as DR.. New
man hastily entered. the General opsne