The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-12-23
WHITMAN STILL LIVES.
Surprises the Physicians By His
Remarkable Vitality.


CAMDEN. Dec. %, 1S91.-The watchers
by the bedside of Walt Whitman, who
feared that his end might come yester-
day, were agreeabiy surprised by the
heroic struggle he is almost unconscious
ly making for his life. At the close Of
their consultation late in the afternoon,
the attendant physicians, DR.. Lonaker
and DR.. McAllister, said that the aged
poet showed extraordinary vitality.
AT the same time they had no hesita-
tion in stating an opinion that the end
would surely come. 1t might be within
twenty-four hours or within several
days. When the consultation was brought
TO close the physicians said that Mr..
Whitman's neart was irregular in its pull
sations. This was the first manifestation
by the heart that they had detected, and
confirms their belief that he cannot pull
through. A surprising feature of the
bard's illness is that ne is now unable to
take any alcoholic stimulants. He does
not want any more milk punches, which
have given him considerable artificial
strength. The fact that Mr.. Whitman is
what he terms it, holding the fort" has
shown that he has more rugged consti-
tuition than was thought.
Mrs. Davis, the housekeeper, who has
attended the poet for nine years is prob
ably the most hopeful of those aronnd
him. She believes that he will recover.
Early yesterday morning she went into
the bedroom to see how he was. The
author of ''Leaves of Grass" opened his
eyes and said with little laugh:-"Well,
| am here yet. Mary"
Good, you will live it through" was
the confident response
MIR. Whitman passed very sluggish
night. He is apparently not troubled
with much pain, but the sleepy feeling,
due to exhaustion. still remains. War
ren Grffiths. the nurse, was directed not
to let him sleep very much and the bard
frequently asked why he is awakened
from peaceful dozes. Mr.. Whitman was
able to eat for his breakfast part of II
small mutton chop. In the evening he
also ate little solid food.
CHEERED BY FRIENDS.
What cheered the patient most during
the day was the news that DR.. Buck, his
biographer, would arrive in Camden in
the evening. at does me SO much good
to learn that Blu, k is coming" said the
poet to his nurse. Dr.. Buck reached
Camden at seven o'clock, and went to the
house of Thomas B. Harmed, vino is Mr..
| Whitman's attorney. He then went to
| see the peot, and the two had long talk
| together. DR.. Buck is at the head of a
| large insane asylum at London, Ontario,
F! Canada. He and MIR. Whitman are very
close friends. and about twelve years age
| lie WTOGt d HlStOTy VI buo Sut1ucu UdIQ
1 fffe 1t is probabfc that DR.. Buck will
| have charge of Mr.. Whitman's funeral
| services.
During the day there were many callers
at the Mickle street cottage. Among
| them was Mr.. Whitman's sister-in law,
| who is the wife of his brother George.
| Mrs. Whitman did not go to his bedside
as the physicians directions are that no
| person should see the patient at this
critical period of his illness. Walt Whit
man has two brothers aud two sisters
living One of the brothers is an invalid
and lives in South Jersey. The aged poet
has for many years provided for this
brother. Both of the sisters are married.
One lives at Burlington, VT, and the
other in Long Island.
Another caller during the day was
William Ingram. formerly merchant of
this city. but now living e retired life in
Bucks county. Mr.. Ingram and Mr..
Whitman. have been the closest friends for
many years. and the former is much at
fected by the poets illness. Before Mr..
Ingram left the Mickle street cottage, the
venerable bard presented him with a
handsome edition of his poetry and prose
writings.