The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-10-25
NEARING THE End.
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison Has
Another Relapse,
Which Win Undoubtedly Result
in Her Death.

Was Almost Exhausted-nn. Harrison
Nearly Worn out by His Constant vigil
at Ills wife,s bedside.
WAsHINGToN. Oct. 2A-Mrs. Harrison
was very low Monday.
At 3 o'clock there was no noticeable
change in Mrs. Harrison's condition,
and while life is at its lowest ebb, DR..
Gardner does not anticipate immediate
dissolution. Attorney General Miller
called shortly after 8 o'clock to inquire
about the patients condition.
The change for the worse, which was
more alarming than any previous de-
cline, set in Saturday night. The previ-
GUS night had been a restful one, but
Saturday night Mrs. Harrison was I'M
easy and very restless. This continued
throughout the night. and as a conse-
quence she grew much weaker. She
was already IN an almost exhausted con-
dition, and the further loss of strength
made it questionable whether even her
remarkable vitality could bring about
another rally.
DIR. Gardner found no change other
than that she had continued to grow
steadily weaker and could scarcely
nov He said then that Mrs. Harrison,
unless she could again summon strength
enough to rally once more, might pass
away at any moment.
Shortly before s Monday DIR. Gardner
reached the house and remained at the
bedside of the patient until $3.50. AS he
left he stated that it seemed to him inn
possible that Mrs. Harrison should sur
vive the day, and this statement was
communicated to the members of the
cabinet who were not on their way to
Washington-Messrs. J.. w. Foster.
Charles Foster and Rusk. The first
named is in Indianapolis, the second in
Chicago and the third in Wisconsin.
The family were early gathered in the
room adjacent to h sick chamber, and.
when informed that Mrs. Harrison's
condition Shove no unexpected change,
repaired to the dining room. After
breakfast the president returned to the
bedside of his wife, from which he has
been absent the last few days only long
enough to obtain absolutely needed rest,
and the others went ontotthe piazza at
the south side of the house for q breath
of fresh air. When thus refreshed, the
sad vigil. which they AVE SO long main
tanned, wa resumed. =
The president is almost worn out by
remaining constantly at the bedside of
his beloved wife who, even when the
highest ono possible to be conferred
on an American was his, he never called
by any other name than Carrie. She
was Carrie as his sweetheart and Carrie
even unto death.
During b morning there were rather
more than the usual number of callers,
who left their cards merely after re-
ceiving the answers to their inquiries.
DIR. Gardner called at the White
House at 2 o'clock and found Mrs. Har-
rison perceptibly weaker than on his
former visit. She was conscious and ev-
identity recognized those about her,
though too weak to converse.
Monday shortly after IL o'clock, Rev.
DIR. Hamlin, pastor of Mrs. Harrison's
church, called and was taken up stairs.
Monday for he first since Mrs. Har-
rison's illness began was the east room
and lower corridors of the house closed
against callers.
Mrs. Harrison, though herself APP
parently the embodiment of womanly
strength and robust health, inherited on
her mothers side the disease which has
laid her low. The first appearance of
the insidious disease in her own case
dates back to an attack of the grip two
years ago. Soon after her return to
Washington, as the wife of the presi-
dent, 1t began to be noticed that she
was not apparently as strong physically,
or US well able to meet her social duties.
as she had shown herself during her
husbands term as senator.
In spite of the help she received from
Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harrison
in carrying ON the duties of her arduous
position it was noticed that although she
had formerly been a very fair walker,
she seldom set foot to h ground then,
and from being n of the most regular
church goers, she was seldom seen at
the Church. of the Covenant except in
the sunniest weather. The winter of
1S90-91 she had the grip. This pulled
her down q great deal, but the trip made
by her with the president to the Pacific
coast, it was thought, had entirely re-
afnra1 hAr SIn nawwl
of it, and treasured all the souvenirs OF
travel with which she was inundated.
These she arranged with much taste in
the corner of the White House corridor
up stairs, where tea is generally served.
and 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 Revolu-
ton, and consented to serve as the first
president. Although she did not Mt
tempt much of the actual work of her
place, she gaveit her warmest
ton. One of the last occasions on which
she appeared in public was ut an even
ing reception given on Feb. % last to
the members of the order. and to the
Sons of the American Revolution. In
March last she wa far from we'll, but
as she had managed to go through the
official round of entertainments without
breaking down, she herself thought her
indisposition only temporary.
Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Russell Harri-
son had planned to give a grand lawn
party ON the White House grounds after
Easter. Mrs. Harrison was enthusi-
astically in favor of it. She continued
to hold her weekly receptions for friends
at 8 o'clock in the blue room. 1t was at
ONE of these informal afternoons, early
in April, that Mrs. HarrisonS(el the be-
ginning of her illness. She asked her
guests to excuse her, leaving Mrs Nc
Kee to do honors.
From that day Mrs. Harrison never
was a well woman. She rallied some
what in May, and then was taken
that unfortunate trip down Chesapeake
bay, when the government steamer ON
which she was-the Jessamine-was
caught in a northeast storm, and Mrs.
Harrison suffered severely, Those who
saw her leave the White House that day
almost carried in the presidents arms.
had grave doubts of her recovery. But
from thai on her disease seemed to pro-
gress rapidly.
When she was brought back from
Fortress Monroe the true character OF
Der disease became apparent to her
physicians and intimate friends though