The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-06-13

slept the greater part of the night and
throughout the day he slept at inter
walls. The afternoon bulletin from the
physicians at the bedside announced
that the premier's strength was rapidly
diminishing and then all hope fled. As
the afternoon slowly waned profound
stiffness reigned at Earns Cliffc. The
scene after nightfall was impressive in
its solemnity. Up to midnight anx-
ious groups gathered upon the lawn
and spoke in whispers of the dying
patients condition.
At Q o'clock Sir Johns heart failed in
its work, and he sank so low that for
some time he seemed to have ceased to
live. lie rallied feebly, however, and
fought his way back to his hold on life
His stupendous vitality was making n
grand struggle.
Many members of parliament came
to Earns Cliffe during the early evening
to learn personally the patients condi-
tion. The governor-general with an
aide-de-camp walked over to make his
last nightly visit.
At midnight the callers had all de-
parted and the correspondents were
left to watch the night out alone. The
hours wore slowly on.
The light of a new day brought with
ii nothing to relieve the anxious sus-
pcnSc. There was no change in the
patients condition: he was uncon-
Scious. His limbs were numb and
there was nothing to mark that life was
not extinct save the feeble futterings
of the pulse and the almost impercepti-
hle breathing. The family had been
gathered about the bedside all night
Lady Macdonald, almost worn out by
her long vigil. was there. and the pre-
mier's son, Hugh John Macdonald, had
kept his place by his fathers side.
There was no bulletin from the ply
sicians yesterday morning. Nothing
could be said beyond what had already
been given out. 1t was a matter of
time-perhaps moments, perhaps hours.
ing the hand of death was slowly but
surely ebbing. The scenes of the
morning and afternoon were but
counterparts of Friday.
At o'clock his physicians conferred
and said that the premier could not last
until Q o'clock. The diving premier had
been perfectly unconscious for nearly
thirty hours. and still the spark of life
fingered on.
The members of the cabinet had n
long meeting in the afternoon. Minis
ters Dowdey, Dowell, Tupper and Cos
tigan aftcrward called at Earns Cliffc
for the last report. The action of the
patients heart at times during the
evening was so feeble that Sir John
was believed to he dead. Once the
family gathered at the bedside under
the impression that the end had come.
but it proved to he another of the
dreaded sinking spells, which, in sue
cession, had left the aged statesman
with less and less vitality. Not since
5 o'clock Friday afternoon had any sub
stantial liquid nourishment passed his
lips.
Eventide found the members of the
family gathered about the bedside of
the dying statesman waiting patiently
for dissolution.
Outside, in the dusk, were gathered
the correspondents and small groups of
anxious friends. Nature no longer as
serted itself: life's fires were burning
low, Pickering and smouldering as
though the soul would leave its tene-
ment at each successive break None
would recognize in the dying man one
vestige of resemblance to the great po-
litical leader who had guided the des-
TIMES of Canada for nearly half CEN
tury.
At 10 o'clock it was evident that the
end was near at hand. The household
was summoned to the death chamber.
Lady Macdonald stood by the side of
her noble husband, and around her
gathered the members of the family.
Her face showed traces of weary watch
ing and the long suspense, but she bore
up bravely.
Death came peacefully to the aged
premier at 1915 p. m. He was uncon-
scious to the last. The pulse fluttered,
the breath came shorter and the pulse
was still.
When the announcement of Sir
Johns death was made the oetIs of the
city were tolled to convey the intelli-
gence to the thousands who were anx-
iously awaiting this signal, that their
beloved premier was no more.
Lady Mcdonald is now prostrated
with grief. There has been a sugges-
ton made that the remains of Sir John
shall be inferred in West
minister abbey, and it has given rise to
discussion.
VIII Lie In state-Tel.grams of Condo
lence.
OTTAWA, Ont, June es.-Sir John Mac
lonald's body will be privately re-
moved from Earns Cliffe to the parlia-
nent buildings, and will lie in state
from 10 clock Tuesday morning until
he hour of the funeral. The state