The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-21
Railroad, yes erday morning. The
body was taken TO BOylan's.
WALT WHITMAN FAILING.
Physicians Say There Is No Further
Hope-Still Cheerful.
special to the Jersey Citg Menus.

SpectUt 10 me Jersey CtfH Ne'oS'
CAMDEN, Dec. 81, lS9l.-The life of Walt
Whitman is hanging on slender thread
and all hopes of his recovery were prac-
tically given up yesterday. His relatives
and intimate friends are near him, and at
any moment ready to be present at his
bedside at the last moment. The Cam
den bard, however, does not think that
physicians have told him that ne would
not recover from the bronchial pnue-
monia with which he is afflicted. He be-
lieyed they were mistaken.
Two consultations were held during
the day by DR.. Daniel Longaker of Phil
of this CITY, Mr.. Whitman had passed
very uneasy night Shortly alter one
o'clock Mrs Davis, the housekeeper, VINO
was in attendance, was startled Dy the
rafting ill the throat of the venerable
poet. 1t was filled with mucus, and she
felt that the poets time had at las come.
Mr.. Whitman, however, oVercame MS
suffering, and then fell inio peaceful
sleep. He sank into slumber from sheer
exhaustion.
When he awoke Mrs. Davis gave him
milk punch. This revived him and soon
it was thought that there was marked
improvement in his condition.
TRIES THE WINE.
Along in the afternoon friend seut
him a bottle of rare old wine. When the
nurse brought it 10 him the author of
Leaves of Grass" merrily suggested that
it would be well TO try little OF the wine.
The nurse handed the bottle to him, and
he lowered the contents about an inch.
"Ah, that's very good wine," said he.
smacking his lips.
Shortly after The nurse left the patient
to go to the postoffice. He was gone only
few minutes, but when ne returned Mr..
Whitman smiled significantly.
''W hats the matter? inq ulred the
nurse.
1--WE been up twice since you left" was
the complacent answer. The poet then
added that he thought he would try how
much strength he had and raised himself
SO that lie sat on the edge of the bed.
"Pm all right you see," said he
proudly.
When the first consultation was held
Mr.. Whitman insisted upon knowing the
verdict.
"He is very seriously ILL.," announced
DR.. Longaker. Yes, he is very danger
ously ill.," added DIR. McAllister, land l
do not think he will pull through. We
no good. l don't believe that any air
enters 1T. There is but slight
chance that he will recover. That
chance is SO slight that it may be said that
Mr.. Whitman will not live much longer.
The end may be "a couple of days off and
then again only a few hours. He IS very
weak. There Is no fever. 1t is very
severe case of bronchial pneumonia, and
only the whisky Is keeping him alive"
When Mr.. Whitman was told of this he
said he didn't believe them, but his inti-
mate friends were sent for in accordance
with his wish.
NO FEAR OF DEATH.
He eays he does not fpar death. In the
future state he believes that the bum
blest beggar will share the same joys
with the worlds mightiest potentates
and to all there will be given more glad
ness than the world can ever dream.
Little philosophical remarks like these
are spoken once in awhile to his friends
and attendants. He is so confident that
he will recover that every other thought
takes the precedence OF the idea OF
DEATH During these apparently last
hours of his mortal life, the good poets
benign qualities of character excite the
greatest admiration from his friends, who
appreciate his genius even more than
they ever did before.
He is unique" said one of them yes
terday, "in his genius, in his character, in
his life and In his friendship He does not
concern himself about the future. for he
says the future will take care of him. 1t
would surprise the people of this country
to see all the reviews of Walt WhitmaD's s
poems which have been written by crit
| les of other nations. We have collected
| them and they show that he is much
more appreciated abroad than in this
country"
Ou every bright and sunny day before
the present critical attack of illness.
Walt Whitman used to visit the Burleigh
Cemetery, where he has had his tom
constructed. A very pretty little ivy vine
entwines the spot. The good grav poet
at every visit directed its course as it
grew.
II trail the vine," said he one day, Sin
the way wish it to run when l am placed
beneath the cold sod"