The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-06-11

bulletin from the physicians at the bedside
announced that the premiers strength was
rapidly diminishing. and then all hope fed.
AS the afternoon slowly waned profound
stiffness reigned at Earnscliffe The scene
after nightfall was impressive in its solem-
nifty. Up to midnight anxious groups
gathered upon the lawn and spoke in whis-
pers Of the dying patients condition.
At 9 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. He
rallied feebly and fought his way back to
the weakest hold on life a man could
have.
H.. HIS sTuPENDoUs VITALITY
was making grand struggle. The light of
a new day brought with it nothing 10 re-
lieve the anxious suspense. There was no
change in the patients condition; he was
unconscious. His limbs We're numb and
there was nothing to mark that life was not
extinct but the feeble fluttering of the pulse
and the almost imperceptible breathing.
The family had been gathered about the
bedside all night. Lady Macdonald, al
most worn out by her long vigil, was there,
and the premier's son, Hugh ]. Macdonald,
had kept his place at his fathers sid e. .
There was no bulletin from the physi-
clans this morning. Nothing could be said
beyond what had already been given out.
1t was matter of time, perhaps moments,
perhaps hours. The marvellous vitality
which waslstaying the hand of death was
slowly but surely ebbing. --
The scenes Of the morning and the after
noon were but counterparts Of yesterday.
At2 o'clock the physicians concurred in
the opinion that the premier could not live
until o'clock, and again did they err. The
dying premier had been perfectly uncon-
scious for nearly thirty ght hours, and the
spark of life still fingered on.
The members of the cabinet held long
meeting this afternoon, Ministers Dewdney,
Powell, Topper and Costigan atterward
called at Earnscliffe for the last report.
The action Of the patients heart at times
during the eveing was so feeble that Sir
John was believed to be dead. Once the
family gathered at the bedside under the
impression that -.
THE END HAD COME,
but it proved to be another of the dreaded
sinking spells, which, in succession. had
left the aged statesman with less and less
vitality. Not since o'clock yesterday
afternoon had any substantial liquid
nourishment passed his lips. Such an un-
equal struggle could not much longer be
sustained. ..-.
Eventide found the members of, the fam
lily gathered about the bedside of the dying
statesman waiting patiently for dissolu-
the correspondents and small groups of
anxious friends. The patient lay uncon-
scious. Nature no longer asserted itself;
lile's fires were burning low, tiickered and
smouldered as though the soul would leave
its tenement at each successive break. No
one would recognize in the dying man one
vestige Of resemblance to the great DO
lltical leader who had guided the destinies
of Canada for nearly half century.
+ 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
traces of weary watching and long sus-
pense.
Death came peacefully to the aged pre-
mier at 10:1o. The pulse futtered, the
breath came shorter and the pulse wa
STILL
When the announcement of Sir Johns
death was made the bells OF tine city were
tolled to convey the intelligence to the
thousands who We're anxiously awaiting
this signal that their beloved premier was
dead. Lady Macdonald is now Frustrated
with grief
Ing !uAeIdA ~ likely 10 TAKE place on
Tuesday next, and will be of a state char
acter. On that day the body will likely be
removed to the senate chamber and lie in
state Tor four or five hours The interment
will subsequently take place at Kingston,
Ont, where the premier's first wife and his
father are buried.
There has been suggestion made that
the remains OF Sir John Macdonald shall
be inferred in Westminster Abbey, and it
has given rise to considerable discnssion
Referring to this suggestion the Toronto
Telegram says tonight:
Ottawa is in q sense our political Jerusalem.
and enshrined on Parliament hill a nations
heart, the ashes Of Sir John Macdonald would
sleep in q noble tomb. The greatness will be &c.
cured to generation after generation of Cana
dams who will go there to honor the memory Of
one OF the founders Of y nation that will endure
till the resurrection day. @
THE DEAD PREMIER.
~ urnlnN for SIR .Tnhn alA-1h~