The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-07

OTTAWA, June Especial Sir
John Macdonald is dead. A nation is
tonight mourning it's greatest states
man and great party is in grief
for loss Of beloved leader. Toward
that sick chamber at Earnscliffe the
public thought has been directed for
the past ten days and the sympathy
OF the nation has grown in great degree
as the picture presented grew darker
and more pathetic. From all parts of
the Dominion and from the sovereign
came tender messages of coincidence
and anxious inquiries as to the states
mans condition. To all of these in
quiries but one answer could be given:
The end might be drlayed but was in
cvitable.
The beginning Of the end came early
yesterday morning. The premier had
slept the greater part of tho night, and
throughout the day he slept at inter
walls. The afternoon bulletin from the
physicians at the bedside announced
that his strength was rapidly diminish
ing and then all hope fled AS the
afternoon slowly waved profound still
ness reigned at Earnscliffe. The scene
at Earnscliife after nightfall was i'm
prcssive in solemnity. Up to midnight
an anxious group gathered upon the
lawn and spoke in whispers of tho diving
patients condition.
At 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. Ills stupendous vital
ity was making grand struggle.
Many members of parliment came to
Earns cliife during the early evening to
learn personally the patients condition.
The governor general, with an aidede-
camp, walked over to make his last
visit. AT midnight the callers had all
departed and the correspondents were
left to watch the night out alone.
The hours wore slowly on. The light
of a new day brought with it nothing to
relieve the anxious suspense. There
was no change in the patients condi.
ton; he was unconscious.
Tho family had been gathered about
the bedside all night. LAZY Macdonald,
almost worn out by her long vigil, was
there, and tho premicr's son, Hugh
John Macdonald, has kept his place at
his fathers side.
No bulletin was issued this morning.
1t was matter of time, perhaps mo-
ments. perhaps hours. The marvellous
vitality which was staying the hand of
death was slowly but surely ebbing.
The scenes of the morning and the
afternoon were but counterparts of yes
terday. At o'clock the physicians
concurred in the opinion that tie pre-
mier could not live until o'clock and
again did they err. The dying premier
had been perfectly unconscious for
nearly thirty hours and still the shark
of life fingered on.
The members of the cabinet had long
meeting this afternoon Ministers
Dewdney, Howell, Upper and Costigan
afterward called at Earns cliffe's for the
last report. The action of the patients
heart during the evening was so feeble
that Sir John was believed to be dead
once. The family gathered at the bed
side, under the impression that the
end would come, but it proved to
be another one of tho dreaded
sinking spells which in succession had
left the aged statesman with less and
less vitality. Not since 5 o'clock YES
terday afternoon had any substantial
liquid nourishment passed his lips.
Such an unequal struggle could not
much longer be sustained.
Eventide found the mombers of tho
family gathered about the bedside OF
the dying statesman, waiting patiently
for dissolution. Outside in the dusk
were gathered tho correspondents and
small groups of friends. The patient
lay unconscious. Nature no longer as
serted itself.
Life's fires were burning low, fickered
and smouldered as though tho soul
would leave it's tenement at each sue
essive break. No one would recognize
In the dying man one vestige of resem-
blance to the great political leader who
had guided the destinies of Canada for
nearly half century. At 10 o'clock it
was evident that end was at hand. The
household was summoned to the death
chamber.
Lady Macdonald stood by the bed
side of her noble husband and around
her gathered the members of tho
family. Her face showed traces of
weary watching and the long suspense.
She bore up bravely. Death came peace
fully to the aged premier at 1915. He
was unconscious to the last. The pulse
fiuttered, the breath came shorter and
then all was still.
When the announcement of Sir Johns
death was made the bells of the city
were tolled to convey the intelligence
to the thousands who were anxiously
awaiting the signal that the beloved
premier was no more. Lady Macdonald
is now Frustrated with grief. There has
been suggestion that the remains of
Sir John Mcdonald should be inferred in
Westminster AbboY and it has given