Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-06

NONQClTT, AuB' u N'ShSA'N Philip H. Sheridan died at 1o:l5 last night When the General left Washington he was considered by the army physicians who were in attendance and tho local doctors who occasionally had been called into consultation as in a precarious con dition, and the voyage to Nonquitt was undertaken only as a last hope.
 For the first eighteen days after his ar rival the change of climate and surround worked a fictitious Improvement which the physicians eagerly seized upon to bul- letin to the world as the normal and healthy stages of progress in his case which would lead to ultimate recovery.
 A few days ago it became evident that the General was really retrograding in, stead of progressing. The reaction which had been occasteued by the change of eli mate had been exhausted, and symptoms of rapid decline were noticed.
 Dr. O'Reilly was hastily summqned, and on his arrival acknowledged that the case was hopeless.
 He at once sent word to Dr. Pepper or the University of Pennsylvania, the spec ialist who hnC: been called into the case when the General was at Washington and dissolution seemed imminent.
 It was, however, given out to the public that Dr. Peppers visit was not occasioned by any alarming change ln the generals condition.
 Throughout Saturday and Saturday night General Sheridan was attacked with those violent fits of coughing which so alarmed his physicians in Washington, and in which, it was supposed, he would die. Tho physicians resorted to the Of oxygen to sustain life, and frequent ap- plications were given him.
 They relieved him for short time, but did not have the good effect which invari- ably followed their application when he was in Washington.
 Then the electric battery was called into requisition, and from its frequent use mo- meutary good results were obtained.
 The General grew weaker aIHhrough the day and night. The distressing, suffoCat- ing cough, which resembled a violent un- successful retChinS after vomiting, rather than an attempt to raise phlegm or clear the lungs, continued all day, growing more and more violent and alarming at each rep edition.
 The frequency with which they occurred was sure indication to the physicians that dissolution was at band.
 The distres sing fact was broken to the family shortly after daylight. Mrs Sher- idan was the first to be informed that the Generals life could not longer be spared, and that dissolution might occur at any moment.
 The physicians mostly feared the violent coughing spasns, as the effect of them on the heart was most alarming.
 Mrs. Sheridan received with composure the news, and eNorted herselt to make as comfortable as possible the last hours of her husbands life.
 The renewal of the coughing spells in the morning brought fresh alarm to the household.
 Mrs. Sheridan had summoned the four children, and they were brought into the the sick room.
 Colonel Mike was also present, as were also the physicians. None of lhem left the chamber all through the day. At each successive attack of coughing tue General grew weaker.
 For seconds at q time his heart ceased to give evidence of pulsatiou, and again and again did the physicians believe that the last moment had arrived.
 Then there would be feeble inter and Instantly the oxygen and electral treat. ment wouldsbe renewed.
 TSe general was conscious up to when a few ours of his death. He had, however lost the power of speech, and indicated bN signs hls oeslres
 Mrs, Sheridan sat at the bedside Next to her WIS Colonel Mike, and ranged around the bedside were the four children At 9 o'clock tho general gasped as il trying to couAyh. He was unsuccessful and seemed to be awfully distressed al some internal attack which he could neither relieve NOT indicate to the physi clans that they may apply remedies.
 He gradually sank into stupor and re matned unconscious to tho end.
 Mrs. Sheridan hUid his hand and Dr O'Reily noted the hnttering pulsations o1 the heart.
 They became weaker and weaker unti l0:l5 when the heart ceased to beat for ever, and the life of the gallant Genera of the Army was ended in peace
 The first intimation of the ser ious na eure of the heart trou ble with which Gen Sheridan has for many suffered slightly came on May IF. At that time he was re turning from an official visit to Chicago apd the West and upon reaching his hom in Washington he tainted. His absence from his desk at the War Departmen caused some comment but he was believed to be only suffering from fatigue. No improving, however, physicians wer called to examine him. A consultation 0 physicians at once determined that Gen Sheridan was in a most critical condition For many days his life was des paired o and it was definitely said that the patien was suffering from valvular weakness O the heart.
 Finally 1t was det ermined to try tn doubtful experiment of removing Genera Sheridan from the heat of the natiena capital to the cool breezes of hls summe home at Nonquitt, Mass, on Cape Cod On the morning of June 30 Red Cros ambulance drove up to the sick man home, and a few minutes later Geners Sheridan was placed on a low cot wit handles on either side, like a stretchel and brought downstairs from his bedroor kn the second story by five of his orderlio .and placed in the ambulance. Drs. O'Rslll saSd Matthews and his brother, Col. Sher dan. entered the ambulance and accon panied him to the vessel.
 The vessel was the Swatara, and by slo' stages, travelling only by day and seekln a quiet harbor at night the boat steame along the coast, stopping at Fortres Monroe, Asbury Park, New York and Ne' London. At 2 o'clock of the afternoon c July s, the Swatara dropped anchor O Nonquitt few hundred rods from th