The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-09
GEN. SHERIDAN IS DEAD.
He Passes Away Suddenly Sunday
Night of Heart Disease


SoSQUrTT. Mas, Aug. 5.-General Sheri-
dan died tonight at 20 minutes past 10
O'Clock of heart failure.
The death was unexpected. as General
Sheridan had been constantly improving and
strong hopes of his final recovery were en-
expressed himself as feeling much better in
the evening. This was nothing 10 indicate
fatal termination. and no spprehensions
were felt. When the final catastrophe came
there were but two or three persons in the
room. There came sudden paroxysm of
pain, the heart ceased beating. and all was
over in a few minutes Dr. Mckee was the
Gully physicians In attendance and il was
impossible for him to do anything.
CEN saEIIpAS's Successor
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-With the death of
General Sheridan, the rank of Lieutenant
General lapses The command of the army
of the Tilted States falls to the ranking Major
General. There are now three Major Gener-
ais. schofeld, Howard aad Crook, Gen.
Schofeld's being the ranking or senior APP
pointment. If Congress should create the
position of Lieutenant General. the appoint
ment thereto would be made by the PFesi-
dent from the list of Major Generals
The illness which ended the life OF General
Sheridan began ia May of this year, and in
few days became alarming. His main all
ment was what is technically known 50 val
vuiar heart disease As result of this he
was also affected dropsically.
From the beginning of his illness its dan
gerous character was recognized. and, al
though the physicians in atienance never
admitted that they expected death at an
early date. they held ont no hopes that he
would ever recover sufficiently 10 again as
sunie command fthe Army of the United
States The General also recognized his
critical condition. and before the end of May
made his viii and gave himself up to the last
battle in which he was To engage
During the last days of May and ali through
the month OF June he was subject to frequent
attacks of heart failure Dunng all this
time his death was expected almost hourly
and bulletins were issued by his physicians
at short intervals On several occasions be
was 80 near it seemed impossible for him to
rally and once, it is stated on good author
ity he actually ceased to breath for some mo-
ments and was only restored to life by the
perseverance and skill of his attendants.
After the middle of June the bulletins
issued by the physicians became more en-
eouraging The attacks of heart failure were
less frequent, and the patient seemed 20 gain
in strength and spirits While resigned 10
his fate, the Generals indomiiable viii WIS
exercised to the fullest extent, and this, as
much as any other circumstance, was reSPon-
sible Tor the improvement.
4 few weeks ago ii was decided to remove
General Sheridan from Washington to a
cottage he had built II Nonqui,t, Mass. The
removal was effected without apparent in
at his cottage to last Saturday night the re-
ports OF his condition were uniformly en-
couraging. The latest bulletin was partieu-
larly hopeful. DR. Pepper, who visited the
General on Saturday, issued this bulletin:
There is no doubt As to the decided though
gradual improvement of Gen. Sheridan :
condition He has gained flesh, showing
improved assimilation of food. His breath
ing is easier. aud the CONDITION of the lungs
is eminently satisfactory. The action Of the
heart is stronger and more regular, and there
is a progressive decrease in the frequency and
violence of congestiye symptoms. His ner-
vous force is, of course, enfeebled, but yet
there Is in this respect also grateful im-
provement. Upon the whole his condition
and prospects are as encouraging as could
possibly be hoped for under the circumstances
and if no untoward complications arise a
gradual return to better health may be count
ed upon