The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-22

Cement Phillip b. Sheridan died very
suddenly at his cottage in Nonquitt, Mass,
at 1920 o'clock Sunday evening of failure OF
the hearts action. The end came without
warning, and was unexpected by his physi.
clans, and is cruel blow to his family.
Previous to the sudden appearance of heart
failure at about $50 there had been no pre-
monitions of any unfavorable change in his
condition.
His voice was strong, he took a full supply
of nourishment, slept occasionally, as usual,
and the doctors and his family we're in hope
full spirits. At o'clock P. N. Mrs. Sheridan
and the doctors went to the hotel for
supper, and soon after their return
the usual preparations for the night
were made. At about 9:20 Colonel Sheridan
said good might to his brother, and went to
the hotel, there having been, through the
day, no sign whatever Of any change in Luis
condition.
At $50 o'clock symptoms Of heart failure
appeared, and Drs. O'Reilly and Matthews,
who were with him at the time, Immediately
applied the remedies which proved sue
cessful in all similar previous attacks, but
without avail
At 10 o'clock a messenger came bare
headed and breathless to the hotel, and de.
manded the immediate presence Of Colonel
Sheridan at the cottage Five minutes after
another messenger summoned the Colonels
wife.
:; Mrs Sheridan received with composure the
news, and exerted herself to make as COM
Portable as possible the last hours of her hus,
bands life. Mrs Sheridan had summoned
the four children, and they were brought
into the sick room. Colonel Mike was
present. as were also the physicians
The General was conscious up to within
few hours Of his death. He had, however,
lost the power Of speech, and indicated by
signs his desires Mrs Sheridan sat at the
bedside Next to her was Colonel Mike, and
ranged around the bedside were the four
children.
The Sisters Maban and Justinian, and the
faithful body servant Klein, were also at his
bedside throughout his dying hour.
The General gasped as if trying to coug a.
He was unsuccessful, and seemed so be
awfully distressed at some internal attack
which he could neither relieve nor
might apply remedies. He gradually
sank into a stupor and remained
unconscious to the end en.dd. Mrs Sheridan held
hls hand and DR.. O'aeilly noted the futter
.-g pulsation of the heart. They became
weaker and weaker until 1920 when the heart
ceased to beat forever, and the life OF the
gallant General Of the Army was ended in
peace
General Sheridan's illness began about the
middle of May. On May 25, however, it was
acknowledged that he was in danger. A Sc
we're relapse on May 81 again prostrated Gen.
eral Sheridan. A slight rally on June IL en-
couraged his physicians to- hope once more
for his recovery.
On June 2oit was decided to place him on
the United States steamer Swatara to be
taken to his cottage at Nonquitt.
General Sheridan arrived at his Massa-
chusetts cottage on board the United States
steamer Swatara on Sunday afternoon, July
8. The journey from Washington had been
made by easy stages, and Drs. Robert NJ.
O'Reilly and Henry G. Yarrow declared that
their patient had improved since leaving
Washington.
= At the end of fortnight the distinguished
patient had apparently reached a stage very
near to convalescence.
q a feeI" days ago it became evident hat the
General was really retrogradlng instead OF
progressing. The reaction which had been
occasioned by the change of climate, had
been exhausted, and symptoms of rapid de-
cline were noticed. DR.. O'Reilly was hastily
1ummoned, and on his arrival acknowledged
that the case was hopeless.
/: The following official bulletin was issued at
midnight:
General Sheridan died at 1920 this even
ins. The immediate cause Of death was
heart failure The remote cause was dis
ease Of the mitral and aortic valves, the
existence Of which was known to his ply
sicians, to himself, and to his family in No
vember of last year. The complications
which have occurred have been nervous a1-
haustion, pulmonary infarctions, pneumonia,
pulmonary oedema, anasarca, and hemor-
rhages. The last day OF his life he was
somewhat restless, but not more so than ne
has been several times since his arrival at
Nonquitt. At about $50 symptoms of heart
failure suddenly appeared. The remedies
which had hitherto been successful were vigor-
ously applied. but proved Intellectual, and
he saHs rapidly, dying painlessiy at the hour
named.
/ ROBERT NJ. O'REILLY,
Surgeon United States Army.
WASHINGTON MATTHEW'S,
Acknowledgment United States Army.
Sketch of His Life.