Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-08-17
AT THE DEATHBED.
Review of the Generals Illness and the
Events of the Last Hours.


General Sheridan was taken ill on Monday,
May 81, being attacked by what is known as
valvular trouble of the heart. He came near
dying that day, but rallied at night; ne suffered
when evening came. The following Saturday
his death was momentarily expected. Five
army surgeons watched by his BEDSIDE night
and day. He Seceived the last sacrament Of the
church from his pastor, who also remained with
him throughout these trying moments he was
perfectly conscious and devoid OF all tear ana
excitement. He made his will. and, with the
utmost GOODNESS, completed all arrangements to
provide for the worst
The subsequent days We're filled with care and
anxiety for the faithful wife and tho doctors,
who clung to their posts at the dying General 8
side They watched every symptom and became
alarmed OF the slightest sign Of anything IN 1
battling bravely with the angel death, which
seemed determined to grasp the old hero
from their loving arms. 1T was such
fight as Make sturdy ren INST 10 such
fearful strain and test He bore his illness and
suffering with great heroism and made q gallant
fight against death. Often he was thought TO De
preserved and prolonged his life. Gen sheridan
was on his deathbed when Congress- juno l,
passed the biz to give him four stars as Gen ;ao
signed his name to letter OF thanks to the Pres
ident.
June 80 Gen. Sheridan was removed from his
residence in Washington in q Red Cross ambu-
lance to the United States Steamship Swatara,
which set sail the same day, and proceeded by
slow and easy voyages for Nonquitt, Mass, on
the shores of Buzzards Bay. The vessel arrived
in New York harbor the evening OF Ju!v6. 1t
proceeded to New London and dropped anchor
off Nonquitt the afternoon Of JulyS. The Gem
eral was accompanied by his wife and four small
chdren-three girls and @ boy.
The stricken soldier and his family occupied
q new and pleasant cottage near the shore OF
the sea, under the grateful air OF which he
seemed to rally. When the General lett w ASH
ington he was considered by the army physl-
clans who were in attendance and the local doc
tors who had occasionally been G. He'd into con-
sutation in precarious condition, END the
VOYAGE to Nonuuitt was undertaken only as a
last hope.
For the first eighteen days after his arrival the
change of climate vnd surroundings worked
fictitious improvement. which the physicians
eagerly proceeded to bulletin to the world as the
normal and healthy stages of progress in his
case which would lead to ultimate recovery. Or.
Robert O'Reilly who had been in charge OF the
case since the first attack, accompanied him to
that place. but he remained only few days. He
returned to Washington leaving only Drs Mat
thews and Yarrow in charge.
A few days ago it became evident that the
General was really retrosradtng instead OF pro-
crossing. The reaction which mad Deen occa-
stoned by the change OF climate had been ex-
hausted, and symptoms of rapid decline were
noticed. DIR. OReilly was hastily summoned
and on his arrival acknowledged that the case
was hopeless. He at once sent word to u. Pep.
per, of the University of Pennsylvania, the spe
cialist who had been called into the case when
the General was at Washington and dissolution
seemed imminent. It way, however, given out te