The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-24
WAS IN THE BLOOD.
DR.. Gardner Points Out the One Taint In .
Sturdy Family.


Sturdy Family.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON Oct. 23.-In view Of the
Harrison's illness. DR.. Gardner gave your
correspondent tonight some interesting
details concerning the events that had led
MP to the present condition of his patient.
He pointed out that the Scott family. of
which Mrs. Harrison is O member, has q
consunptivs vein running through its
otherwise sturdy stock. Most of the family
are robust and capable of standing much
hardship. A number have succumbed.
however. TO thelatent consumptive charac-
teristic of the family. Mary Scott. younger
sister of Mrs. Harrison. died of consump ption
at the old homestead at Oxford twenty
years ago. Capt. Henry nj. Scott. younger
brother, died of the disease shortly after
the war while on his way to the Pacific
coast for his health. Mrs. Scott Lord. an
other sister, died since President Harrison's 9
administration began. but her death was
due to other causes than consumption.
Dr. Gardner says that Mrs. Harriso
illness had it's inception In an attack of the
grip in the winter of 1891, when q cough
developed. This was followed by another
attack of the same disease last winter,
which brought on pneumonia. and finally
resulted in Tuberculosis. the first hemor-
rhage occurring last May. At the time of
these several attacks they were regarded
as local and temporary. and for this
reason no publicity was given to them. It
was felt that Mrs. Harrison's rugged con-
stitution would readily throw off the dis
ease. but the hacking cough continued to
assert itself, and little by little the Presl-
dent and his wife began to appreciate that
it was life and death struggle against
the worst form of consumption. lt is
more than probable Mrs. Harrison fully
realized, as far back as last July. W hen oh
was removed to Loon lake. that the
chances of her recovery were extremely
doubtful.
wEEN SIZE BEGAN TO FAIL.
1t began to be noticed soon after an at
tack of the grip that Mrs. Harrison was
not so strong as nsuaL In spite of the help
she received from Mrs. Mckee and Mrs.
Russell Harrison In carrying on the duties
of her arduous position. IL was noticed that
although ne had formerly been a very fair
walker. she seldom set foot to the ground
then, and from being one of the most reg
ular of church goers. she was seldom seen
at the Church of the Covenant except IN
the sunniest weather. The winter of
1s90-91 she had che grip. This pulled her
down great deal, but the trip made by
her to the Pacific coast with the President
seemed to restore her. She seemed TO enjoy
every moment of il. and treasured all the
souvenirs which she was presented. She
arranged these with much taste In q corner
of the White House corridor mp stairs.
took pleasure IN showing them to her
friends. About that time also she became
much interested in the organization of the
Daughters of the American Revolution. 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
warm cooperation. One of the last occa-
sionSon which she appeared in public was
February last to the mem bers of the order
and to the Sons of the American Revolu.
ton.
In March last she was far from we'll. but
as she had MANAGED TO go through the off,
ciaI round of entertainments without
breaking down she herself thought her in
disposition only temporary. Mrs Mckee
and Mrs sussell Harrison had planned to
give grand lawn party on the White
House grounds. after Easter. Mrs. Harri-
son was enthusiastically in favor of il. She
continued TO hold her weekly receptions
for her friends. at 5 o'clock. in the Blue
Room. 1t was at one of these informal lit
tie afternoons early In April that Mrs. Har-
rison felt the beginning of her illness. She
| asked her guests to excuse her, leaving Mrs.
Mckee to do the honors.
| From that day Mrs. Harrison never was
q well woman. She rallied in May some
| what, and then was taken that unfortu-
nate trip down the Chesapeake bay. when
the government steamer on which she was
| the Jessamine-was caught in q north
east storm and Mrs. Harrison suffered Sc.
| verely. But from that on her
| disease seemed TO progress rapidly.
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 conccae cd
| from the public, ana she was ordered to
| Loon Lake in the hope that the revivify
ing influences of the pine-laden air might
| arrest the progress of the pulmonary trou
! bles which the rackiug cough. night
| sweats and loss of strength too plainly in
| dicnted. This is too recent to need re-
| capItulatioD: now these hopes proved
| delusive. and at her own request she wa.
| carried back to her cheerful rooms at the
White House, there. it seems. to die.