The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-25
-NgA

remained for Mrs. Harrison. He said that most
OF the time she was in semi unco scious condi-
ton, from which she occasionally rallied. Dur
ing these spells of wakefulness she recognized
those around her and sometimes
sponded feebly. but clearly and iu-
telligently to inquiries made Tho
doctor said his efforts were devoted solely to
making the patient comfortable as possible
in her dying hours. She could not take nourish-
ment, and frequent applications of stimulating
moisture to her parched lips was the
only treatment that afforded relief. The
doctor returned about noon and found the
patient even weaker than before, almost COM
pletely prostrated and unable TO longer speak or
cough Apparently, she was conscious. There
was little change during the afternoon, but
every change was for the worse, and the watch
ers were fearful death would ensue about sun
down. Many messages of coincidence were
ceived at the White House during the day.
From o'clock until well into the evening the
president and all the members OF his family re-
mained at Mrs. Harrison's bedside. As the day
waued and the sun sank behind the western
hills the anxiety of the watchers became more
and more intense The shadows deepened, the
sun sank to rest, night came on and yet the
end was not. The telegraph instruments In tho
eastern part of the building were steadily tick
ing all day, bringing inquiries from friends of
the family. After o'clock they ticked
faster and faster Some had sent
ing Mrs. Harrison's death. The premature
report spread rapidly over the country from
west TO east, and there began TO flow in upon
the wire messages of coincidence addressed to
the president. Halford promptly authorized a
prompt denial but it did not overtake the ORR
gnai story. and the messages continued to arrive
in numbers. Just after q o. clock Mrs Harrison
suffered another sinking spell. and ssages
were sent by Halford TO the absent cabinet off,
GERS asking them TO return TO Washington City
Immediately The sick woman still had
sufficient reserve strength TO rally once
more and repuise the attack of ths
dread visitor which hovcred at the threshold
Soon after o'clock the physician announced
that the patient nigh. be- expected TO live until
midnight Even this small grain of comfort
was received with gratitude by the anxious
| and grief-strickeu husband ana family. It could
| hardly be said that the patient was unconscious
| during the evening hours for she revealed signs
| of understanding. Attempts were made 20 re-
| ueye her last moments by partially opentag
| her parched lips TO receive the stimu-
| Iat!ng fluid applied to them from time
| 10 time but not drop could she swallow, and
| the power of speech had apparently left her
| frame forever In addition the physicians eK-
| I'perienced eye noted as evening wore on al in
| crease in difficulty OF breathing, which was 10
| gsried as an ominous siga.
| Hour alter hour slipped away, each leaving
| the patient weaker in turn, yet 80 gradual was
! the decline that Ii could not be said positively
n. any minute that she had materially failed.
! The measure OF the ebbing tide the
respiration, which slowly SANK from ID
| st nightieu TO II at midnight. The physician
| had said il she lived over that hour she Nigh,
| survive until daylight. SO there was visible
! mir of relief when the gong sounded II The
| hone inspired. however, was only oil sh0Fs duTa-
| tion. - ,
| About 1880 o'clock the physician noticed
| weakness in the hearts action, followed al
mos, Immediately BY slight deerease IN respra-
| ton. He notified the family grouped
| around the couch tina, the end np-
| reared very near. This intelligence
| had a most depressing effect upon the
| president and he sustained himself with the
! greatest i ficuIiy Dr. Gardiner, after narrowly
| examining the eounteuaGcs and ieei-
! ing the pulse, sorrowiul!y announced that
| all indications justified the belief the patient
| wouId not survive more than bali an hour. Tni,
| wssIZ:5 O'clock. The minutes passed With
| fright.a. rapidly. AID the ha!i-hoar passed.
Taea uaost helpless form. however, still retained
| :he sacred spark. The resistance offered by the
! constitution of tho patient Was naarveaous sni
surFrisiag to the physician and ali at lns bed
| side.
There was no struggle, no exhibition OF pain,