The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1892-10-24
CLOSE To DEATHS DOOR
Hopes Of Hrs. Harrisons Recovery
Have Been Abandoned
SLOWLY, STEADILY SINKING
Her Physician Says the Mistress
OF the White House Has
But Few Hours
to Live.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.-Mrs. Harrison is
approaching the end. How long it will bo
before death supervenes cannot be told.
II may be only n few hours or possibly
day or more, but that shc cannot last
much longer is certain. This has been
sad Sunday for the president, the family
and other faithful watchers at Mrs. Harri-
sons bedside.
DIR. Gardner, up to 10 o'clock, paid six
visits to the sick room In the southwest
corner Of the presidents homo, and each
time he could give no word of encourage
ment to the anxious family. The history
of tho day, as gathered from the reports
OF the doctor, is one of steady and rapid
decline of the little remaining strength of
the patient, and that II seems the utmost
limit of weakness possible with life
is reached. Tho present change for
the worse, which is more alarming
than any previous decline, set in
last night. Tho previous night was a
restful one. but last night Mrs. Harrison
was uneasy and very restless. This con-
tinued throughout the night and as con-
sequence she grew much weaker. She was
already in the most exhausted condition
and the further loss of strength has made
II questionable whether even her remark
apic Nhohy couiu oiiuR aoout auo'her
rally.
DIR. Gardner this morning at 8 o'clock
found his patient SO weak that he was
fearful tho end was near at hand. He
visited her again soon and found she con-
tinued 10 grow steadily weaker and could
scarcely move. Her condition was SO
alarming that the doctor repeated his visit
| within short time and finding all efforts
to rally her unavailing and that strength
continued to ebb away, he made yet an.
other call two hours later.
DIR. Gardner visited the white house
at o'clock this afternoon, max.
ing the fourth time he had seen Mrs.
Harrison during the day. As he WAS
driving out Of the grounds, he was stopped
by representative of the associated press
and in response to inquiries said Mrs.
Harrison was in a state of extreme ex.
haustion and unless she could rally from
il she is apt to pass away within few
hours. In his opinion she il now as weak
as she possibly could be and still live.
She began failing this morning and grad
ually became weaker and weaker. She
has displayed remarkable vitality through
out. but has nearly reached the limit Of
her endurance.
In reply 10 a direct question on the
point. DIR. Gardner said Mrs. Harrison
might pass away at any time within few
hours, and again she might linger in her
present state for As hours. While lie did
not exactly say SO, he intimated plainly
that he feared the end would come before
morning.
Seven o'clock again found DR.. Gardner
at the white house. He staid about half
an hour. and when he came down stairs
could give no word of announcement. He
said Mrs. Harrison was SO weak that she
had no; even strength TO cough, and her
condition was critical in the extreme
sense of the word. Death might come any
time now.
When DIR. Gardner left the house after
his 10 o'clock visit he said Mrs. Harrison
was resting quietly, and he did not think
she would die tonight. There is still evi.
iencc in the case of tho patients wonder.
fui vitality, for the doctor said although
she is weaker than when he last saw her,
yet she is stronger than he expected to
find her. Mrs. Harrison suffered
from nervousness during the day,
and this helped TO bring about
her exhaustion, which is fastening the
decline that has been in progress all day.
She sleeps about half an hour at a time
and takes but little nourishment. consist-
ing of peptonized beef with stimulants.
She is perfectly conscious. Before leav-
ing the house DIR. Gardner notified the
president and members of tho family of
the exceedingly precarious condition of
Mrs. Harrison. but said he would not call
ngain during the night unless summoned
by information of change in her present
condition. The pres dent and family are
fearful of the worst and are sitting up
with the invalid.