The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-22
How She Reached "Home."

condition.
How She Reached Home"
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21.-At q quarter to 8
o'clock this morning the special train on the
Pennsylvania road bringing the President, with
his afflicted wife. his son, daughter, grand
children and other relatives and friends, who
have been at Loon Lake with Mrs. Harrison
during her illness, drew into the station here and
the long and sad journey which had been under
taken with some degree of trepidatiOn was
ended. 1t had been completed. however, with
out any suffering or any other i'll effect TO the
patient. Thirty minutes later she was resting
easily i'll her bed at the White House, her mind
much relieved by reaching "hOme." for which
she has been longing throughoutth the past several
weeks.
AS the probable time of the arrival had not
been announced In the morning papers, few per-
sons knew at what hour the train would reach
the city. So, when il was switched on q side
track outside the Sixth-street station, there were
only a squad OF police, some railroad officials,
Colonel Ernst, with an army surgeon, ana elgnt
attendants assembled in the train-yard. The
police had kept every one else at a distance, and
as the train came down the track from the navy
| ward tunnel ali engine bells and exhaust pipes
we're silenced, and when the special train came
tn a stop not a disturbing noise OF any kind
Colonel Ernst had charge OF the arran gements
for the reception of Mrs. Harrison aud party.
He had ordered an ambulance from the wash
ington barracks, with n picked ourps OF hospital
attendants In charge OF Dr.. Bannister, u. ,. A,
to meet the train and convey Mrs. Harrison from
her bed in tine car through the streets and up to
the White House. a mile distant Few people
knew that the ambulance, with the familiar red
cross on its sides, in charge of an officer OF the
army, was at the station for any unusual pur-
pose, and when IL. arrived, shortly before 3
O'Clock. 10 attracted little or no attention. As
soon az the train wheels ceased rolling, Colonel
Ernst and DR.. Bannister entered The rear car. In
which Mrs. Harrison was resting. The alnbu-
lance. drawn by two quiet horses, had been
driven between two lines OF cars up to the
side OF the track, where Mrs. Harrison
| could be transferred with ease Two long bag
gage trucks, arranged at the rear of the car so
an To make IL two steps, were placed L in position,
| and at once a white stretcher. with snowy white
linen and pillow. was taken into the car oy four
carefully trained men nurses, with DIR. Bannister
at the head. As the stretcber disappeared In the
car. the President emerged. and jumping down
OH tue PLATFORM, took a look at the ambulance
arrangements and expressed himself entirely
satisfied. A minute later the stretcher was
| gently brought out the car, and. lying upon IL,
was Mrs. Harrison, covered with o white sheet
and holding a fan over her face. As the sfretcher
was carefully lowered from the car To the trucks
and then to the ground. a beam OF sunshine,
which had been Obscured by q passing cloud.
peeped out and shone upon her face. An UNI
brella was raised to shield her FROM its rays.
With military precision the four attendants
turned the head of the %stretoher toward the end
of the waiting ambulance, and. at the
OF DR.. BanniSter, slowly pushed IL III on the
roller slides. DIR. Gardner and the President en-
tered and sat on either side of the patient. while
the army doctor mounted on. the outside with
the driver. The rear curtain was left open 10
4 uUI ulI, ~ tiC I'LL JuaahNo inOhOA ia thC
few persons present barred their heads and stood
silently and sadly watching the little procession
"a 1t moved away. The President seemed much
affected. and his eyes, red from weeping, and
with dark rings under them, told the tale
of his deep distress and sleep
, of his w nieh'S Four sp mounted AZ police ane pr Deasied
the ambulance. and kept the street clear OF all
traffic that might interfere with the procession.
Harrison, Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Diminick, the
rest of the party driving directly TO the White
House. The route taken from the station was
up Sixth street 10 Il. in order to avoid the
throngs on Pennsylvania avenue. and then di-
rect TO the executive mansion. The same con-
station was Observed along the Streets by all
vehicles and street cars, and any band which
essayed to play was promptly stopped by the
The little ITocession as It slowly wendell Its
way along the brilliantly decorated and crowded
few people knew that the President was In the
red-crOss vehicle, tenderly watching over his
wife and bringing her to the home for which she
has daily longed. 1t was indeed q pathetic and
incongruOus homecoming to the President,
with everything so bright and gay on the streets.
while he sadly sat beside the one he loved most
ana anxiously watched her every breath.
The White House was reached In half an h0ur.
Gathered on the pOrtico were the attendants and
servants. and from the upper windows some of
the clerks looked down upon the approaching
little procession. AS the ambulance came TO a
halt under the pOrte-cochere the army nurses
took up their positions, and soon the litter, pre-
oeded by the President and DIR. Bannister. was
carried into the mansion and taken through the
corridors and up stairs to Mrs. HarrisOn's room
on the second floor. Rain-drops began to fail as
the litter was taken from the ambulance. but. rs
IL was under cover, none fell on the PROSTATE in
valid. While IL was borne across the main ell
trance TO the door a light smile played across her
countenance "a she recognized some OF the at
tendants, and, gently raising her hand, she
waved them a salutation. She was soon made
comfortable in bed. after which DR.. Gardiner
made the following
Mrs. Harrison stood the journey from Loon
Lake very nicely and much better than we antici
pated. The prospect OF getting home has buoye OF
her up and made her sleep much easier. She
was as comfortable as possible en- route, and the
fact that she has reached home has decidedly
cheered her up"
Jersey City was reached shortly before 8
o'clock this morning, and a start at once made
on the last stretch toward Washington. All
along the route the greatest confederation was
shown for Mrs. HarrisOn's condition, and Mr.
George ". Boyd. OF the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, who had the special train in charge
saw that all the whistles along the line were
silenced and that everything else possible was
done to promote the comfort and safety of the
whole party. The President aud Mrs. Harrison
repeatedly and warmly thanked Mr.. Boyd fol
his constant-and thoughtful attention.
Ten minutes after Mrs. Harrison was taken &C
her room the lower portion OF the building was
flied with member of the G.. A. T., anxious to
see the interior.
Mrs. Harrison has been very comfortable dur
ing the entire day and has manifested consider
ahle interest in things ahont her. There Is nj
particular change In her condition since she lief
Loon Lake. She il not suffering any pain. Th,
complication to he dreaded most Is a return o
the ~pleurisy. aud DR.. Gardner says there is N
present indication OF that
sympathy from the Veterans.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 21.-At the meeting OF tn,
Grand Army encampment this morning JUNO
Vice. Commanders n-chief T.. 8. Clarkson, O
Omaha. under "A SUSPENSION of the rules. sub