River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-08-09

DR.. O'Reilly was hastily summoned, and on
his arrival acknowledged the case was
hopeless. He at once sent word to DIR.
Pepper, of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, the specialist who had been called
into the case when the General was at
Washington and dissolution seemed immi-
nent It was h however, given out to the
public that DR.. Peppers visit was not oc-
casioned 10y any alarming change in 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. The physi-
clans resorted to the use of oxygen TO
sustain life, and frequent applications
were given him. They relieved him for a
short time, but did not have the good effect
which invariably followed their applica-
ton when he was in Washington. Then
the electric battery was called into requi-
sition, and from its frequent use moment
airy good results were obtained.
The General grew weaker all through
the day and night. The distressing suffo-
eating cough, which resembled a violent
unsuccessful retching after vomiting,
rather than an attempt to raise phlghem
or clear the lungs, continued all day, grow
ing more and more violent and alarming at
each repetition.
Throughout the night Drs. O'Reilly, Var
row, Matthews and Pepper worked earnest
ly with the patient The Generals devoted
wife was constantly at his side ministcring
to his wants under the directions Of the
doctors. The trained nurse from the Balti-
more convent and Colonel Mike Sheridan
were also in constant attendance.
The success of the oxygen treatment on
previous attacks buoyed up hope in the
family, though it was evident to the ply
sicians that the wonderful vitality and
marvellous will power which had sustained
the patient throughout his long siege 1T
Washington were of no further avail.
His vital forces were well nigh exhausted
and the life spark about TO be eXtin-
guished.
The distressing fact was broken to the
family shortly after daylight Mrs. Sheri-
dan was first to be informed that the
Generals life could no longer be
preserved and that dissolution might
occur at any moment The physi-
clans mostly feared the violent coughing
spasms, as the effect of them on the heart
was most alarming. Mrs. Sheridan re-
ceived with composure the news, and ex-
erted herself TO make as comfortable as
possible the last hours of her hus-
| bands life. The renewing 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
sick room. Colonel Mike sheridan was
also present, as were also the physicians.
None of them left the chamber all through
the day. At each successive attack of
coughing the General grew weaker. For
a second at time his heart ceased to give
evidence of pulsation, and again and again
did the physicians believe that the last
moment had arrived Then there would be
a feeble fiutter, and instantly the oxygen
and electrical treatment would be re
newed.
The General was conscious up to within
a few hours of his death. He had, how
ever, lost the power of speech, and indi-
Gated by signs his desires Mrs. Sheridan
sat at the bedside Next to hcr was
Colonel Mike, and arranged around the
bedside were the four children. At
o'clock the General gasped as if trying
to cough He was unsuccessful, and
seemed to be awfully distressed at some
internal attack, which he could not relieve
nor indicate to the family that they might
apply remedies. He gradually sank into a
stupor and remained uncc nscious to the
end.
The illness which has just resulted in
the Generals death commenced on May
l3, Immediately after his return from a
tour of inspection out West lie com
planned OF feeling unwell and worn out.
and came down TO the offi~e each day
for about a week. He was then
forced TO remain in DOORS and Tues
day, May -, nc had "a severe at
tack of heart failure, which greatly alarmed
his family and physicians. On account Of
the effect il was feared the news would
have on the Generals mother, who was
aged and in i'll health, an cudeavOr was
made to keep the more alarming phases Of
his illness from the public, and it was
not until the end Of that week that the ply
sicians admitted the true character Of the
disease. On Friday, May u, he had several
attacks of heart failure, and these in
creased in violence with each succeeding
attack Several times during his illness
il seemed as II life had become ex-
tinct, but by the adoption Of radical meas
ures the action of the heart was stimu-
lated and he was brought round again
hls heart at one time ceased TO
beat for a few seconds, but the
extraordinary watchful1ess and care
Of the attending physicians brought
him back 70 Consciousness again. New
complications set in and hops was Well