Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-10-25
MRS. HARRIsoN's ILLNESS.
She Inherited Consumption-A Gradual
 Decline Since Spring.


 Decline Since Spring.
 Mrs. Harrison, though apparently the embodiment of womanly strength and robust health, inherited on her mothers side the disease that has laid her low. The first appearance of the insidious disease in her own case dates back to an attack of the grippe" two years ago. Soon after her return to Washington as wife of the President it began to be noticed that she was not apparently as strong physically or as we'll able to meet her social duties as she had shown her self to be during her husbands term as Senator.
 In spite of the help she received from Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harrison in carrying on the duties of her arduous position, it was noticed that, although she had formerly been very fair walker, she seldem set foot to the ground, and from being one of the most regular of churchgoers, she was seldom seen at the Church of the Covenant excepG in the sunniest weather.
 In the winter of 1990-9 she had the grippe" This pulled her down great deal, but the trip made by her with the President to the Pacific coast, it was thought, had entirely restored her. She enjoyed every moment of it, and treas ured all the souvenirs of travel with which she was inundated. These she ar ranged with much taste in the corners of the White House corridors up stairs.
 About that time, also. she became much interested in the organization of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, and consented to serve as the first president, Although she did not attempt much of the actual work of her place she gave it her warmest cooperation.
 One of the last occasions on which she appeared in public was at an evening re- ception given on the 22d of February last to the members of the order, and to the Sons of the American Revolution.
 In March last she was far from we'll, but as she had managed to go through the official round of entertainment with. out breaking down, she herself thought her indisposition only temporary. Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harrison had planned to give 8 grand lawn party on the White House grounds after Easter. Mrs. Harrison was enthusiastically in favor of it. She continued to hold her weekly receptions for her friends at 5 o'clock in the Blue Room.
 It was at one of these informal little afternoons, early in April, that Mrs. Har> rison felt the beginning of her illness. She asked her guests to excuse her, leav- ing Mrs. Mckee to do the honors. From that day Mrs. Harrison never was a we'll woman. She rallied some what in May, and then was taken that unfortunate trip down Chesapeake Bay, when the Government steamer on which she was, the Jessamine, was caught in northeast storm and Mrs. Harrison suffered severely. Those who saw her leave the White House that day, almost carried in the Presidents arms, had grave l doubts of her recovery. And from that on her disease seemed to propress rapidlv When she was brought back from Fortress Monroe the true character of her disease became apparent to her physician and her intimate friends, though it was carefully concealed from the public and | she was ordered to Loon Lake in the hope that the revivifying influences of the pine laden air might arrest the progress | of the pulmonary trouble which the rack | ing cough, night sweats and wasting strength only too plainly indicated. It is too recent to need recapitulation how these hopes proved delusive, and at her own request she was carried back to her cheerful rooms at the White House. q