New-York tribune., 1886-08-05
DEATH OF SAMUEL J. TILDEN
LAST HOURS OF THE SAGE OF GREYsTONE

Samuel j. Tilden died at $50 o'clock yester-
day morning at his home At Gcrystoue. His death WAS
peaceful but decidedly sudden except to the msb-rs
Of his household and . few most intimate friends.
These altogether for the end For
two days desperate battle had been fought, and tho
old man yielded only after hard struggle.
Ono OF tho chief delights OF Mr.. Tildeu had
been to sic on his porch and eazs upon
the beautiful river, whore mis- yacnt viking swung
at anchor, and across to the rugged Palisades. lie
never tired Of drinking In this panorama and oft- ne
spent whole days the porch while relative road
him his secretaries communicated matters Of ac-
counts, politics or general Interest lie WAS thus
engaged Saturday afternoon He was enjoying
rsther more robust health than for many months.
and he remarked tho invigorsting quality OF the
breeze that swept down the river bringing with t the
fragrance OF pines He shuled down the steps leaning
upon the arm Of an attendant and walked under the
shade trees along the terrace above tho river TO ths
greenhouse where he enjoyed for little time th" per
fume OF the flowers, and then back again.
A few minutes later the old mans frame con-
vused bv chill and alarmed attendants instantly
removed him to his chamber The rather keen
and resh and the exeron OF the walk had thrown ths
Ex-Governor into perspiration that invited the attack
The chill was followed by purging and vomiting that
left the patient weak. Dr. Charles f. Simmons one ol
the Commissioners OF Charities OF this city. who lives
on operty adjoining Graystone tho NORTH aud
who Mr.. Tiden's physician and warm friend never
alo wing day to without visiting his patient
summoned, but absent In the city. IL fore mis- ar
rival the sick man rallicl. and careful nurs.
jng did than medicines to help him toward
recovery Retiring early Mr. Tdsn passed comfortable
night, and on Sunday had 50 far rcganei his usual
health as to eat heartily OF nolrishlng broth. He re-
sumed his favorte post upon the porch and retiring be
times, slept, with few interruptions, until the sun
streaned In through tho southern windows Of
his bedroom on Monday the cx.Governor
IN good spirits. lie rallied Miss Gould,
his constant companion. FOR her fears for
him and ordered the for drive along the road
skirting the river from Yonkers to rsrrytown. The
drive devoid OF incident. AMI was thoroughly -n-
joyed by Mr.. Tden and Miss Gould, but shortly after
the return reaction set In sni the sick IN
Frustrated. The attack OF short duration, how.
ever. and at $50 he went to his room AMI
sank into a refreshing su uber. from which ne
did awaken until hali-past IN the morning when
his him drink. His slumbcr was then un-
interrupted until morning.
1t hoped that the worst had passed. and that
Mr.. Tiden would regaiu lost ground. as he
had done many times before. Soon az.
ter breakfast Mr. Tilien walked unassisted
10 the porch aud ensconcel himself in his sleepy
chair. his knees being covered with arng. The day
nne. the breszs brisk enough to keep the air In
pleasant motion, and nature smiled -ersns around
the aged invalid. Accustomed all his lle 10
lead an active career, keeping pace with tho
course OF events, and always scanning the news
of he day with singular ant laboron, mlnucness. Mr.
II
his Illness and determined to regain what he fsncci
he had lost BY IN lug his fancy and enjoying com.
muniou with the outside world. Mss Goili was there
fore summoned bring papers and books and entertain
him. Hour after hour pea-anty passed In reading
the newspapers; then severa. volumes were
taken up aud thus the afternoon passed. Earlier
| In the day DR.. simmons sroei from his homs
| there fence between the grounds) aud passed
satisfactory opinion upon the condition OF the patl~nt
But Doctor" said the EX-GOVERNOR looking up with
more than wout.d animation. "you are starving me-
should dearly ke little piece OF toast for lunch THIS
| Cruel Ia growing monotonoua"
mot iust yet" replied the doctor. laughnely; inst
be satisfied with doing for short time Ion e
| and will extend your DILL OF fare You are not yes
| strong enough to digest solid fool"
Leaving strict injunctons with the attendants not on
| any account humor Mr. Tden ami give hun
| fool tie doctor departed At o'clock Mr.
Tlden callci servant and ordered .
| plato OF toast Mss Gould and others endeav red
to dssuaie him. They told him IL was injuiicious and
against the doctors orders tho Ex-Governor insisted
that he should DO denied small privilege IN MS
own house. and there course left but to pre-
p.re the toast, very small piece 0. cireiuly prs-
pared oast withost particle OF crust. given him
and he ale 1t with relish aud resumed his listening at-
| tude wnils Miss Gould opened MoOres poems.
| An hour Later Mr. Tilden WAS again sez 81: with
| risors and carried into tho library Ia
| cousiiersble pain Vomiting recurred and unfavor-
| able ymptoms developed RAPIDLY. When DIR. simmons
| returned to dinner 30 lie fount the snmmons
awaiting him, and hurrist over 10 Grevstonr TO hht Mr.
Tllden in great pain and suffering severely from short
nes Of breath lie was assisted up the broad marble
steps hrs sleeping apartment. Although he Insisted
| on wakins he almost carried along. Al the heat
OF the nen,. ho said to the doctor who followed:
| "smmon.. what makes me breathe so hardl lean
| hardly catch my breath
"You are sxerting yourself too much. Governor. re-
| Piled ,he physician but the feeble pulse warie him
tha, heart action was waning. The patient hur.
| ried into bed and remedies applied to help
| respiration AMI strengthen the hearts action
Presently sick foil asleep aud preparations for
noting slightest change In his condition were sds
Mr. Tiiden occupied set OF four handsome apartmeno
on the southern side OF tho house. His bedroom Wa
thirty fest long by twenty fve wide. richly furnished.
His va-t lay down lounge really for emergency
CALI the nurse watched beside his charge and Dr. Sip
mons passed his time sitting by the bedside or reat
| Ing IN the library. II long. weary
watch. Tho sick slept lightly. %
| casiouaily inurmuring IN pain but not waking
half past 10. when he was reused ny cxcrucatIns
PAIN the stomach. Fifteen or twenty minutes suiced
eeve ths pain. and tho Governor sank exhausted
iu;o a tful slumber The breath fast but fe-bv.
gs,ps ami the pulse fast dyin. The limbs grew
cold and the experienced eye OF the physoAn detected
| the swift approach OF dsath Messages wees sent 10
| prominent physicians In NewYork and = mes sngsr
took miinsht tram to hni ore or more OF list gwen
him. but all out OF town except Dr. Abrsm Jaeop'
But before he could for the journey to Grey
stone dispatch reached bin atv sing him that hrs trip
would 10 useless Miss Anna Gould was the only member
| OF the family AZ home Mr.. rlieLs Two niees'' MISS
susie and Mss Rdbo Tilden were absent 81 tho Oh
nome,tead at New Lebanon, and the housepoli seere-
tary John Cah In city with Private Secretary
| George w. SMITH Miss Gould was Informed of the sick
man, approaching end. At4 o'clock the Governor woke
in pain AMI insisted upon leaving his bed tie WAS
| lifted into cnsir anu Wrapped IN
blankets. for tho morning vas chilly Tue
ntIrnt et sined wonierfui possession OF MS faculties
Always Of 'ew woris. he now sAii no more thal
~. u.,eaAry once he said: 80. doctor this pam is
| terrible" Later he whispered Doctor, thins
new ,xperrnced such agony" The only other erpres-
s,on, mat esap.i mis- Ups requests for drink %
| drscons that he should be- raisei higher or MS I'VE
| mo,stsued. Toward d O'Clock the pain diiniulshei.
! but me re.pira alton increased To ufty minute The
| breath came Ia scarcely porcepu1e gasps.
| ur samuel swift. OF Yonk--a. wA- now called to the