Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-05
OUT WITH THE TIDE
The Quaker Poet Whittier's
Life Is Flowing.
DOCTORS GIVE BUT LITTLE HOPE.

The r~.iept Very Weak. Unable to Take
Food aud His Right Arm Useless-A
General breaking Down of vital Forces
Due to His Extreme Age aud Infirmi-
ttes-Abie To Recognize His Friends,
But Not to Speak to Them-The End
Near.
HAMPTON FALLS, n. H., Sept. 5.-John
G. Whittier is lying critically ill at the
home of Miss Cove at this place, and his
condition is such that grave approximations
are entertained of his death. Mr.. Whittier
has spent the last seven weeks in this
town, and has often remarked on his i'm
proved health and the enjoyment he bad
received from all the pleasant surround
ings in which he found himself. He has
been free from all lfbors and received but
few caller, that ne might derive all the
benefits pos BILE during his stay. His last
extensive literary effort was the poem for
the Atlantic to DIR. Holmes, and the last
verse he wrote was for The Journal, pub
lished on The birthday of DIR. Holmes last
week.
lis Condition Very Critical.
He complained Wednesday night Of an
internal disturbance. Medical assistance
was Immediately called, but no apprehen-
sions were felt. Saturday morning about
O'Clock an alarming change was mani
tested in his condition, and there has not
been any Improvement. DIR. Douglas, his
regular medical advisor. was summoned
at once, but the patient did not show any
favorable symptoms during the day. In
the evening DIR. Douglas again came to
Mr. Whittier and remained through the
entire night. DIR. Howe, of Newbury-
I'd xIax- witch H.
Douglas and they both pronounced the
condition of Mr. Whittier as extremely
critical and gave but little hope for his
recovery.
Not Able to Take Nourishment.
He is exceedingly weak and has but lit
tie use of his right arm. He cannot swal-
low or articuiate except with great diff
Guilty and is unable to take any nourish-
ment. He recognizes those around him
and indicates by movements of his head
his recognition of requests. His cousins,
Mr.. and Mrs. Cortland, of Newburyport;
his nephew and niece, Mr.. and Mrs. Pick
ard, of Portland; Miss Cove, and several
others, with Drs. Douglas and Howe are
within call. Mr.. Whittier intended to
turn to Newburyport the day of his attack
with Mr.. and Mrs. Cortland.
A Life of Rural Simplicity.
Mr.. Whittier is in his S4th year, his
eighty-third birthday having been cele.
brated Dec u, 1891. While time has dealt
kindly with him, his latter years have been
touched by feebleness that necessitated
the loving care those who surround him
have been glad to give. The life of the
Quaker poet, as his world wide admirers
love to call him, has been one of rural
simplicity, marked by thorough friend-
ship with nature that has evidenced itself
in the literary efforts which have strevn
his path with the roses of fame.
His River of Song.
The Merrmac is his river of song, and it
runs through his lines with a musi, Al
rhythm from its babbling source to where
il mingles lit waters with the sea. And
as his favorite river moves toward its des-
tination, SO Lis life is apparently swiftly
and peacefully flowing to the sea of
eternity, and there is barely a doubt that
the good old poet will ere long ''go out
with the tide. ,,