Connecticut western news., 1888-08-08
GEN, SHERIDAN.

day and Saturday night General Sheridan attacked with those violent fits of oughing which so alarmed his physicians in Washing ton, and in which, it was supposed, he would die The physicians resorted to the use of oxygen to sustain life, and frequent applica- tions were given him. They relieved him for a short time, but did not have the good effect which invariably followed their application when he was in Washington.
 Then the electric battery was called into requisition, and from its frequent use momen- tary good results were obtained. The general grew weaker all through the day and night. The distressing, suffocating cough, which re. sembled violent unsuccessful retching after vomiting, rather than an attempt to raise phlegm or clear the lungs, continued all day, growing more and moro violent and alarmin g at each repetition. The frequency with which they occurred was sure indication to the physicians that dissolution was at hand. Throughout the night Drs. OReilly, Narrow, Matthews and Pepper worked rnestly with the patient. The Generals devoted wife was constantly at his side ministering to his wants trained nurse from the Baltimore Convent and Colonel Mike Sheridan were also in constant attendance.
 The success of the oxygen treatment on pre- vious attacks buoyed up hope in the family though it was evident to the physicians that the wonderful vitality and marvellous will power which had sustained the patient thr ough his long siege at Washington were we'll nigh exhausted and the life spark about to be ex. tinguished. The distressing fact was broken to the family shortly after daylight. Mrs. Sheridan was the first to be informed that the generals life could not longer be spared, and that dissolution might occur at any m oment. Inc physicians mostly feared the violent coughing spasm, as the effect of them on the heart was most alarming.
 Mrs. Sheridan received with composure the news, and exerted herself to make as comfort able as possible the last hours of her husbands s life.
 The renewal of the coughing spells in the morning brought fresh alarm to the house. hold. Mrs. Sheridan had summoned the four children, and they were brought into the sick room. Colonel Mike was also present, as were also the physicians. None of them le fl tue chamber all through the day. At each successive attack of coughing the General grew weaker. For seconds at a time his heart ceased to give evidence of pulsation, and again and again did the physicians believe that tho last moment had arrived. Then there would be a feeble flutter and instantly the oxygen and electrical treatment would be renewed. 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. At 9o'clock the general gasped as if trying to cough. He was unsuccessful and seemed to be awfully distressed at some inter- nal attack which he could neither relieve nor indicate to the physicians that they might apply remedies. He gradually sank into a stupor and remained unconscious to the end. Mrs Sheridan held his hand and Dr. O'Reilly noted the futterinS pulsations of the heart. They became weaker and weaker until 10:15, when the heart ceased to beat forever, and the life of the gallant General of the Army was ended ill peace.