Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-01
THE DEWS OF DEATH.
A CirCumstantial Account Of the Last
Hours of the Life of
THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.
His Fatal Ride Through q. Terrible Storm
of Rain and Snow.
MRS. WAsHISGTONS ANXIOUS EFFORTS

THE following circumstantial account ol
the last illness and death of General George
Washington was noted by Tobias Lear on
the Sunday following his death, which hap
pened on Saturday evening, December IA,
1899, between the hours of 10 and II.
On Thursday, December IL, the General
rode out to his farms at about 10 o'clock, and
did not return home till past 8. Soon after
he went out the weather became very bad,
rain, hail and snow falling alternately, with
a cold wind. When he came in carried
some letters to him to frank, intending to
send them to the postofice. He franked the
letters, but said the weather was too bad to
send servant to the Office that evening. l
observed to him that was afraid he had got
wet; he said no, his great coat had kept him
dry. But his neck appeared to be wet; the
snow was hanging on his hair. He came to
dinner without changing his dress. In the
evening he appeared as we'll rs usual.
A heavy fall of snow took place on Fri
day, which prevented the General from
riding out, as usual. He had taken cold
undoubtedly from being so much exposed
the day before, and complained of having a
sore throat; he had hoarseness, which in
creased in the evening, but he made light Of
it, as he would never take anything to carry
off cold, always observing, "Let it go as
having come from the postofice, he sat in
the room with Mrs. Washington and myself
reading them till about o'clock, and when
he met with anything which he thought
diverting or interesting he would read it
aloud. He desired me to read to him the
debates of the Virginia Assembly on the
election Of Senator and Governor, which l
did. On his retiring to bed he appeared to
be in perfect health, except the cold, which
he considered as trifing. He had been re-
markably cheerful all the evening.
THE FIRST ATTACK.
About 2 or 8 o'clock on Saturday morning
he awoke Mrs. Washington and informed
her that he was very unwen and had an
ague. She observed that he could scarcely
speak and breathed with difficulty, and she
wished to get up and call servant, but the
General would not permit her lest she should
take cold. As soon as the day appeared the
woman, Caroline, went into the room to
make fire, and the girl desired that Mr..
Rawlins, one of the overseers, who was used
to bleeding the people, might be sent for to
bleed him before the doctor could arrive.
was sent for, and went to the Generals
chamber, where Mrs., Washington was up,
and related to me his being taken i'll be-
tween and 8 o'clock, as before stated.
1 found him breathing with difficulty and
hardly able to utter word intellIgibly.
went out instantly and wrote line to DIR.
Plask and sent it with all speed. Immedi-
ately returned to the Generals chamber,
where found him in the same situation 1
had left him. A mixture of molasses, vine
gar and butter was prepared, but he could
not swallow drop. Whenever he at
tempted it he was distressed, convulsed and
almost suffocated. Mr.. Rawlins came in
soon after sunrise and prepared to bleed
him. When the arm was ready the General,
observing that Rawlins appeared agitated,
said, with difficulty: "Don't be afraid"
and after the incision had been made he OBJ
served the orifce was not large enough.
However, the blood ran pretty freely.
Mrs. Washington, not knowing whether
bleeding was proper in the Generals condi-
tion, begged that much might not be taken
from him, and desired me to stop it. When
I was about to unite the string the Genera
put up his hand to prevent it, and as soon
as he could speak, said: 'More."
MRS. wAsHINGToN's FEARS.
Mrs. Washington, still uneasy lest too
much blood should be taken, it was stopped
after about half pint had been taken.
Finding that no relief was obtained from
and nothing could be swallowed, I
bathing the throat externally with
sal volatile, which was doue. A piece of
flannel was then put around his neck. His
feet were also soaked in warm water, but it
gave no relief. By Mrs. Washington's re-
quest 1 dispatched a messenger for DR..
Brown at Port Tobacco. About 9 o'clock
DIR. Craik arrived and put blister of can
tharides on the throat of the General and
took more blood, and had some vinegar and
hot water set in teapot for him to,draw in
the fumes from the nozzle. He also had tea
and vinegar mixed and used as a gargle, I
but when he held back his head to let it run
down it almost produced suffocation. When
the mixture came out of his mouth some
phlegm followed it, and he would attempt
to cough, which the doctor encouraged, but
without effect.
About II o'clock DR.. Dick was sent for.
DR.. Craik bled the General again; no effect
was produced, and he continued in the same
state, unable to swallow anything. DIR.
Dick came in about 8 o'clock, and Dr.
Brown arrived soon after, when, after con-
the General was bled again; the
blood ran slowly, appeared very thick,
and did not produce any symptoms of faint
ing.
Alta o'clock the General could swallow
little. Calomel and tartar emetic were ad-
ministered without effect. About 4:30
D clock he desired me to ask Mrs. Washing
ton to come to his bedside, when he desired
her to 60 down to his room and take from
bis desk two wills, which she would lind
here, and bring them to him, which she
did. Upon looking at one, which he OBJ
served was useless, he desired her to burn
It, which she did, and then took the other
md put it away. After this was done
returned again TO his bedside and took his
hand. He said to me: "I find 1 am going;
my breath cannot continue long. I be-
ieved from the first attack it would be fatal.
Do you arrange and record all my military
etters and papers; arrange my accounts and
settle my books, as you knew more about
hem than any one else, and let Mr.. Rawlins
inish recording my other letters, which be
mas begun"
THE CLOSING SCENES.
He asked when Mr.. Lewis would return.
told him believed about the goth of the
month. He made no reply to it. The
physicians again came in (between and 6 |
,'clock), and when they came to his bedside
Dr.. Craik asked him if he would sit up in
he bed. He held out his hand to me and
vas raised up, when he said to the physi-
,ians:
II feel myself going-you had better not |
AXE any more trouble about me, but let me
20 off quietly; cannot last long"
They found what had been done was with |
,ut effect; he lay down again and they re-
ired, excepting DR.. Craik. He then said
% him: doctor, die hard, but I am not |
lfraid to go; believed from nv first attack |
hat should not survive it; my breath can
lot last long"
The doctor pressed his hand, but could not
liter word; he retired from the bedside |
md sat by the fire, absorbed in grief About
o'clock the physicians again came into
he room and applied blisters to his legs, /
,ut went out without a ray of hope.
from this. time - appeared to breathe
Nth less difficulty than he had done, but
yas very restless, continually changing his
position to endeavor to get ease. 1 aided |
Tim all in nv power, and was grakified in
he felt it, for he would lo0k upon
-. avos arao G;r- hA% l