Evening journal., 1888-08-07
HOW SHERIDAN DIED.
THE Crisis was wholly Unexpected
by HIs Family.

The Crisis was Wholly Unexpccted
by His Family.
EoNoUITT. Mass, August THE death
OF General Sheridan was one OF these
lightning strokes which fall when least ex-
pected and which rutbiessly sweep away
the great as well as the lowly. When DIR.
Pepper departed on Sunday he made
number Of private statements in addition
TO his published official definition OF the
existing status OF the patient. He said
that he anticipated that General Sheridan
had comparatively many days Of life be-
fore him. and that as there had been no
symptoms OF heart failure during his stay
at Nonquitt he allowed bimself to think
that for the present these untoward signs
might hold Ua. When DR.. Pepper de-
parted from the hotel he said in voice
loud enough TO be heard by the bystanders,
THE general is doing SO well that the next
time see him I expect to find him out OF
bed.n
Mrs Sheridan's joy over the favorable
result0 attending the consultation OF DIR.
O'Reilly and DIR. Pepper was great. She
expressed herself to q frisnd, II breathe
once more.n She has always been hopeful,
but the encouragement given by the medi-
cal attendants confirmed and strengthened
the confidence she had felt, and it hastened
her preparations for return TO Washing
ton in the autumn. The sudden demise OF
her husband was a cruel blow.
The change in General Sheridan 3 condi-
tion occurred suddenly. He WAS lying
partially on one side, and the nurse, one OF
the sisters who hsve been in constant at
tendance, did not notice anything unto
ward. 1t had been the practice OF the
physicians to frequently apply the fingers
Co the pulse. and DIR. O'Reilly usually did
80. To his horror on this occasion he dis
covered great weakness and frequent in
termissions. He summoned his assistant,
aud the frst step taken was to administer
ammonia. This powerful stimulant was
powerless to produce a change IN the
hearts action. Digitalis was then injected
ypodermically. Still the life current
coursing through the artery at the wrist
remained weak. Then it grew weaker and
weaker. Siuspis Was applied to the chest
and limbs and finally the galvanic battery
was brought out and current steadily in
creasiug in strength was directed along the
spine and through the chest Of the now
nearly unconscious form Of the pride and
joy Of the army.
There were no convulsious, no sighinR
respirations, no rolling Of the eyes, none
indeed of the physical signs which attend
the departure of the breath from the
human body in many cases Of death. Until
a few minutes of the end Mrs. Sheridan
was not greatly alarmed, and she expected
a reaction from the syncope. Qaietly, like
a child going TO slumber, the gallant sol
dier fell into the last long sleep. The greai
heart ceased TO beat and General Phi
Sheridan was dead. SO unexpected wal
the ending that there was no thought o.
calling for priest OF the Roman Catholic
Church TO administer the viaticum. Thl
little children of the dying soldier wer
slHmbering 10 their beds. Only one Of tn
sisters were present and the physicians and
log that their measures were futile cease'
to disturb the man on whose memory to
day the thoughts Of a nation are turning
WASHINGTON, August z. = PTesiden
| Cleveland first learned of General Hheri
dams death yesterday by means Of a tele
! phone. He sent at once q message Of con
dolencs to Mrs. Sheridan; he issued al
executive order that the national Gag b
displayed at half mast, and be also sent
brief message 70 Congress. Both branchs
Of that body adjourned out Of respect {
the great soldiers memory. It ia probabl
that be will be given a public funeral lik
Grant and Wellington. His remains wi
laid TO rest in the Soldiers Cemetery nea
Washington.