Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-15
aENERAL GRANTS DEATH.
Struggling Amid Suffering and Disease for
the Good OF His Family.

GENERAL GRANTS DEATH. ~
Struggling Amid Suffering and Disease for
the Good OF His Family.
History records no more heroic death
than that of General U. S. Grant, who
died July "a 1885, after nearly ayear' s
suffering, of cancer at the root of the
tongue. In May, 1877, when his sec
end term of Office had expired, General
Grant and his wife made a tour Of the
world, during which the great soldier
was received by all nations as a sove-
reign. On no titled man have such
honors been heaped as on this citizen
of the United States. Returning to
New York, he engaged in business en-
terprises there. After a long and
eventful life it began to look as if finan-
cial prosperity as well as honors would
crown his days. But the dishonesty OF
a partner suddenly plunged him into
ruin. He had reached the age when
men cease from their labors, but this
disaster brought out the courage that
had distinguished him during the late
conflict-a higher kind Of courage
and made him rise superior to disaster,
defeat and calumny. He Immediately
gave up his own and his wife's prop
erty to the payment of the debts for
which he was personally responsible
and then went to work on his me-
moirs so as to leave his loved ones pro-
vided for after his death. A fall on the
ice made him a partial invalid for sew
eral months, during which time pain
full irritation in the throat gave him
much trouble. In August. 1884, the
disease was discovered to be cancer at
the root of the tongue, supposed to
have been induced by excessive smok-
ing. The long months that followed
are familiar TO every reader OF the daily
press. Amid the greatest pain the
hero of the civil war tOiled at his me-
moirs, debating to a stenographer even
after compelled to take to his bed,
when the pain of speaking was so great
that he would almost faint after a con-
tinued effort. In March. 1885. when it
became evident to all that he had but a
few months more to live, Congress re-
stored him to his old rank in the army
and placed him on the retired list. He
rallied under this stimulus of justice
having been done him enough to con-
tinue his work. In June he was re-
moved from New York to Mount Nc
Gregor to escape the exhausting heat
of the city. Up to the last week Of his
life he worked to fulfill his contract
with his publishers. He was cheerful,
too, in spite of the great pain. To
General Butler, who visited him a few
days before he died, he related a story
about the Peace Commission calling on
him, laughing heartily after he had
told the joke.
did you see Alex. H. Stevens?"
asked Lincoln on that occasion.
Yes, sir" replied General Grant.
See him in his overcoat?"
"Yes, sir"
See him takeit Off"
''Yes, sir"
Well" and Lincoln fairly roared,
"ain't he the littlest ear out of the big
gest shuck you ever saw in your
life?"
During his long and painful illness
he expressed only one wish. and that
was that his daughter Nellie-Mrs.
Sartoris-should come. This request
was granted. When asked where he
would be buried be replied:
Il should prefer West Point above
all other places. but my wife could not
then lie by my side. After that, Galena
or some point in illinois, TIL II in New
York, where the people have been so
kind"
July % he sank into a semi-uncon-
scious condition. from which he never
aroused except to utter one word. At
four o'clock a m July "a, his son.
Colonel Fred Grant. noticed a slight
movement, and, leaning over the bed.
inquired:
do you want any thing father"
"Water!' ne gasped. This was his
last word. His breathing became more
rapid. and he died shortly after eight
o'clock. The funeral occurred in New
York August S, when Ulysses S. Grant
was laid TO rest in a magnificent tomb
at Riverside Park. New York City.