Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-22
MRS. HARRISON WEAK.
But She Surprises Her Physician
by Rallying After a Hard Day.
NOT A CHANCE FOR HER RECOVERY,
The Doctor Only Hoping to Prolong Her
Life for Awhile.
HER ILLNESS CAUSED BY TIE GRIP
ESPECIAL rKLreRAM TO rHn prsp A+cn.,

| WASHINGTON, Oct 21-As Dr.. Gardner
was leaving the White House tonight he
stated to reporter that Mrs Harrison ap.
peared to be tri1e stronger to-day than
she was yesterday. As an indication that
the Presidents family were feeling as
cheerful as the circumstances will permit.
the doctor held in his hand bunch of
beautiful roses which he had received from
one of the ladies of the household
There are apt to be fluctuations from day
to day, and this happened to be one of the
good days. The doctor does not hesitate to
say that there is but very slight, ii any
chance for recovery, and this fact was
made known to the President and the mem.
bers of his family some months ago. 1t is
beyond the power of the doctor or any one
else to predict when the end may be ex-
pected. Mrs. Harrison may linger for sew
eral weeks longer or she may pass away
within much shorter period.
All Due to the Terrible Grip.
Mrs Harrison was believed to be enjoy
ing perfect health when she entered the
White House. With the exception Of
| slight indisposition while she was summer
| ing at Deer Park, Md, during the first wear
OF her husbands administration, she seldom
had occasion to consult her family ply
sician. She was always prudent in dress
ing for the social festivities at the legisla-
tive mansion, and while being a thorough
! and conscientious housekeeper, she was
careful not to exert herself beyond her
physical power
Last year, when the grip" was making
its terrible and devastating rounds in this
country and in Europe, the lady of the
White House was seized as one of its
victims. She had very severe attack of
that disease and although she partially re-
! covered, it lett its fatal imprint upon her.
Through the last social season she bravely
endeavored to discharge the duties ex-
pected of her, but those who were close to
her knew that she was not always equal to
the task from physical standpoint. Early
last springs she had an attack Of pneumonia,
followed by hemorrhage of the lungs.
This occurred in May, and then it was that
Dr. Gardner frankly told the President
that his wife was suffering from incipient
tuberculosis.
Taken to a Southern Resort.
A trip to Florida was suggested, but in
stead she was taken to Virginia Beach, an
ocean resort on the coast of Virginia. At
that time the President was closely con.
fined at the White House, engrossed with
executive business growing out of the ses-
sion of Congress, and at the same time con-
Quoting his fight for a denomination at
Minneapolis
Mrs. Harrison and those in attendance
upon her did not regard her illness as seri-
Gus until after they had been at the seaside
for several days The weakness of her
lungs became more and more apparent, and
she returned to Washington a yery weak
Ifofi - H. IL
that Loon Lake offered admirable facilities |
for the treatment of her disease, which was
rapidly. developing, day by day. The
mountain air did not bring the relief so |
eagerly hoped for, and the patient grew
steadily weaker.
Congress might have remained in session /
longer than 1t did, but for the announce
ment made in the House and Senate by per-
sonal friends OF the President that he was
anxious to go to the bedside of his suffering
wife. In Difference to bis wish the business
of the session was hurriedly concluded, and
he went directly from the Capitol to a spe-
cial train which took him to Loon Lake.
More Than Human Aid Can Counteract.
The Presidents presence at the mountain
cottage appeared to have q temporary good
effect upon the patient, but the disease
which has stubbornly sapped her vitality
proved moro formidable than the faithful
and tender nursing of loving husband and
the best medical aid that could be pro-
cured
Day by day the watchers at Mrs Harri-
sons bedside could plainly see that she was
passing beyond the hope of recovery, but
on. The political friends of the Presi-
dent had arranged to have him visit
various points in the State of New York
and deliver number of speeches. As
New York is to be the battle ground it was
thought that his presence among the Re-
publicans of the Empire State might have
q beneficial effect upon his campaign. He
had looked forward to the trip with special
interest, and had prepared himself accord
ingly. hence it was disappointing to his
friends when the news came from Loon
Lake that Mrs. Harrison was critically ill |
and the President would have to abandon |
MS proposed campaigning tour through
New York.
1t was on the morning of the 18th of Sep
tember that those in attendance upon Mrs
Harrison discovered new and unexpected |
complications, including hectic fever,
which threatened to suddenly terminate her
life unless Immediately relieved.
Some Noted Specialists Called In.
The following day DR.. Dougherty a
New York specialist and Dr. Tradeaur, :
loted in the Adirondacks as a specialist in
pulmonary diseases, were called to Loon t
lake to consult with DR.. Gardner. After !
n examination they issued bulletin stat = =
ng that she was suffering from well de- y
eloped case of tuberculosis and other COM +
lications, and they declined to make any a
redictions as to the future. Two or three ?
ays afterward she rallied and the doctors
ave out more encouraging report from the
lck room. but all the time they refused to
redict ultimate recovery
On the 18th of September it was decided
, bring her back to Washington. and two
ays later she was again in her room at the
White House. The President and all the
lembers of his family, including Mr.. Nc
Zee, who arrived here last night, are in
,nstant attendance at her bedside.