The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-20
DEATH-BED SCENES.
Empress Remains Close to Her Dying Con-
sorts Side During the Last Hours.

Empress Remains Close to Her Dying Con-
sorts Side During the Last Hours.
BERLIN, July 15-After the emperor ques-
toned Dr. Howell regarding his pulse this
morning, his breath gradually became fainter,
till it was scarcely perceptible. At 9 o'clock
person who came direct from the bedside said:
"AlI is over now; in few hours the last strug-
gle will be at an end" The hope Of obtain
ing portrait of the emperor by Angel proved
fallacious, but Werner sketched the features
of the dying monarch and several photographs
were taken. The last bulletin issued by the
doctors was fixed to tree so that it could be
easily read. 1t was the original document,
with the autographs of the DOCTORS instead
of the usual copy. Shortly after 1t was
posted there was q sudden commotiOn In
the castle and courtyard. Servants were
hurrying in and out, with expressions of
despair upon their faces. Crown Prince Will
lam had been walking in the emperor's court
yard, stopping from time to time to look to-
ward the emperor's house. At 10 o'clock DIR.
Mackenzie stepped out OF the emperors
room with his hat and hurried to-
ward the crown prince. After a few words
both returned TO the sick room. The emperors
head was raised on large pillows, his wan hands
resting the coverlet. DIR. Mackenzie stood
between the bed and a table covered with in
struments and medicines. The crown prince
stood opposite him. The empress was seated
the foot of the bed but later she knelt at the
bedside and remained in this position during
the last hours, watching her dying husbands
faint gasps for breath
During the night the emperor had beckOned
her to his side. As she bent over him he
murmured single word. then short sentences
which she alone understood. At the foot of
the bed knelt the emperor's daughters, Prince
Henry, and the two daughtersin-law. The
chaplain softly murmured the litany Princess
Frederick Charles, who had strewn the cover
let with white roses, stood with the rest of the
family At some distance were the members
of the household.
The chief features of the room are pictures
showing the life of Frederick the Great. Over
the bed was pencil drawing of Frederick the
Great as boy, which arrived few days
ago. The empress had had il copied
from a picture which Queen Louise of
Prussia sent to King George. 1t pleased the
emperor so much that he kissed the hand of
the empress. 1t had been the emperor's great
pleasure to look at these pictures, and he often
explained to his attendants their true mean
ing on slips OF paper. The servants were
crowded about the doors with bowed
heads and bated breath, and from time
half restrained sobs, the most heart-rending
being those of old Wendelin, who had been the
emperor's trusted servant since his youth.
lie is quite Frustrated and IL is not likely that
minutes the doctors felt the pulse The express
sion on DR.. Mackenzie's face showed that it was
weakening. At times the pulse was suspended
and the doctor was obliged to place his ear
close to the emperor's lips to detect his breath
ing. At IL O'Clock DIR. Mackenzie made sign
to the empress, who fervently kissed the hand
of the emperor. At twelve minutes past III DIR.
Mackenzie drew his watch and declared all
over.
The crown prince gave whispered orders to
two adjutants, who left the room at 1915 p. IN.
While the silent throngs watched with bated
breath, the standard the castle was placed
at half-mast. Another adjutant had stepped
into the court yard and waved handkerchief
to the sentinels, and in less than three min
utes hussars had mounted the horses
and galloped away in all directions,
taking possession of every gate and
of the outer door of the castle.
In all parts of the park soldiers were soon con-
spicuOus. The garrison was ordered TO sur
round the grounds and particularly to watch
the outlets. Strict instructions were given that
cards of admission were no longer valid, and that
nobody should be permitted to enter leave
except with fresh cards issued by the officials.
The gates were opened and closed by soldiers
at every carriage arrival, which was generally
at intervals of three minutes.
The effect of the emperor's death in Berlin
was instantaneous. In a couple of hours the
bright summer look of the streets was changed
Women appeared clad in black and men with
bands of Grape tied about their arms. Many
shops were closed. The newspapers were sold
at exhorbitant prices, but the buyers were dis
appointed because no details of the emperor's
last hours were given until evening. The
Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden
already en- route to Berlin. Much anxiety
is felt concerning the new empress whose con-
fnement is expected daily.
No post norton examination will be made of
the emperor's body the doctors being agreed
as to the cause OF death.
When the emperor was awake his eyes had
such an eloquent expression that his very
thoughts seemed TO be revealed Besides the
who wept like a child, was admitted
to the chamber An eye witness describing
the last ten minutes, says the emPerors eyes
became fixed, his breathing exceedingly diff
cult, he coughed twice violently, and then all
was over. The report that he had "A convulsive
attack IS without foundation. After o'clock
Thursday the emperor filled numerous sheets
OF paper with remarks regarding family and
state affairs.
The new sovereign calls himself William III.
and his consort Empress Victoria Augusta.
Immediately after death the widow folded
the silk family handkerchief around the de-
ceased's neck. William, who sobbed audibly,
placed his fathers iron cross and order of
Merit decoration the small gold chain
to which was attached a number of
loekets and charms, and laid his
fathers sword by the side of the body
Prince Henry fetched a wreath of flowers, and
AFTER the family nd0 Kissed the lace ana 1eet OF
the corpse, the prince gave his arm to his
mother and led her from the chamber 1t is
stated that DIR. Mackenzie favored a post
norton examination, but deferred to the
wishes of the empress.
The bOssiScte ZeitJtnq says of the emperor:
@Not only for what he has done, but for what
he wished 10 do, he will continue TO live as the
German nations best son. best husband, best
father best citizen, best sovereign. He is
gone but his name will shine like star in
heaven as sure guide for the present and
coming generations"
On Thursday, when Princess Sophia, anx-
iously concealing her tears, went to her fathers
bedside, the emperor handed her a slip of
paper on which was written: Remain as noble
and good as you have been in the past This
is the last wish of your dying father1
Later the emperOr's first tutor, aged eighty
three years, asked with trembling lips for news
from his majesty and was led to the bed
chamber, but was so shocked at the
emperors condition that he withdrew before
he could ascertain whether the emperor recop-
nized him. The windows of the sick room
were open all night, permitting free entry of
bed trying TO administer soothing medicines,
while the empress remained On example of
fOrtitude to all others. The crown prince,
who was too much distressed to remain
long in one place, paced backward and forward
between the palace rooms and the courtyard
Thus the night passed. The emperor. though
never unconscious, was in state of stupOr. An
occasional fitting smile showed that his last
hours were painless. The last nourshment
taken by the emperor was an orange. The
last present, which he received with grateful
smile, was baSketful of water lilies, such as
he was wont to find IN the Havel when he
bafhed there