The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-24
VALLEY Of THE SHADOW.
Mrs. Harrison Passing Through
and Is New Almost TO the
Farther Side.
But Few More Hours of Life
Are Left to the Weary
Sufferer.
Sad Vigil of Mr.. Harrison and Family,
Watching tho Ebbing of the
lido Of Life.

WASHINGTON Oct. 23-Mrs. Harrison Ia
approaching the end. How long it will be
before death supervenes cannot be told.
1t may be only few hours. or possibly
day or m ore, but that she cannot last much
longer is certain. This has been a sad
Sunday for the president, his family and
other faithful watchers at Mrs. 4Harrison'a
bedside. DR.. Gardner, up to 10 o'clock.
had paid six visits to the sick room, In the
southwest corner Of the presidents home,
and each time he could aive no word of en-
couragement to the anxious family. The
history of the day. a. gathered from the
reports OF the doctor, il one Of the steady
and rapid decline of the little remaining
strength of the patient, and IL seems that
the utmost limit of weakness possible with
life has been reached.
The presence of change for the worse,
which ia more alarming than any previous
decline, set in last night. The previous
night was restfu one, bus last night Mrs,
Harrison was uneasy and very restless.
This continued throughout the night and
us a consequence she grew much weaker.
She was already in most exhausted condi-
tion and this further loss of strength made
| it questionable whether even her remark
able vitality could bring about another
| rally DR.. Gardner this morning at eight
| O'Clock, found the patient SO weak he was
| fearful the end was near at hand. He Wis.,
! tied her again soon and found that she oon.
tinued to grow steadily weak and could
scarcely move. Her condition was SO
alarming that the doctor repeated his visit
within short time and finding ell efforts
to rally her unavaiing, and that her
strength continued to ebb away, he made
yet another call two hours later.
Seven o'clock again found DIR. Gardner
at the White house. He stayed about half
an hour and when he came down the stairs
could give no word OF encouragement. He
said Mrs. Harrison was go weak that ahe
had not even strength to cough, and her
CONDITION was itical in the extreme sense
of the word. Death might come at any
| time.
When DR.. Gardner left the house after
the 10 O'Clock visit he said Mrs. Harrison
was resting quietly and he did not think
she would die tonight. There was still
evidence in the case Of the patients won
lerfpl vitality. for the doctor said that III
though she was weaker than when
he last saw her. yet she was
stronger than he expected to find
her. MIS-. Harrison suffered from ner-
vousness during the day, and this helped
10 b ing about the exhaustion which is has
tening the decline that has been in progress
all day. She sleeps about half an hour at
n time, and takes but little nourishment,
consisting of peptoniZsd beef with stimu-
lants. She is perfectly conscious.
Before leaving the house ID Gardner no.
tilted the president and members of the
family of the exceedingly preca ious con-
dition of Mrs. Harrison. but said he would
not call again during the night unless sum
moned bs information Of change III Ler
condition. The president and family, feBr-
ful of the worst, are sitting up with the in
valid.