Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-16

The shadow of great sorrow hangs over
the White House. It gracious and accom-
plished mistress won place in the great
American heart, and the nations loving
sympathy goes out to the sorrowing hus-
band and children. Her sweet womanll-
ness has been from the first the keynote in
the strong character of Mrs. Harrison, and
it is as loving faithful wife, and tender,
devoted mother that she has been esteemed
of millions, who knew her only by name.
Mrs Harrison's illness began with a
severe attack of the grip which she had
some two years ago. l. the early summer
relief was vainly sought at Cape May and
Deer Park, and in July last, in the hope
that the mountain air might effect a cure,
she was taken to Loon Lake in the Adiron-
dacks. But the change did not bring the
relief so eagerly hoped for; her feebleness
increased, and in September, she having
expressed wish that it should be done, she
was taken back to Washington. The jour
ney from Loon Lake to Washington was
sad one The sick lady was accompanied
by her husband, the President, who from
the first has been absent from her side only
when imperative public duties required it,
by her son, Mr.. Russell Harrison, and her
daughter, Mrs. Mckee
4 SorroNful Ride in a Decorated City.
The Presidential party reached Washing
ton the day after the great Grand Army
parade, and all OF the public buildings in
Washington were still decorated in honor
of the visiting veterans The President did
not ride from the station to the White
House in the family carriage, but rode be-
tide the stretcher containing his wife in the
army ambulance. Not once during the slow
and lonely ride did he note the decorations
along the way. A few weeks before he had
looked forward eagerly to taking part in the
reunion of the Grand Army and marching
side by side with his old comrades in the
great parade, but now he was oblivious to
all save the sick woman, whom he married
in his early youth, and who all her life has
been helpmeet 10 him in the best sense of
the term.
Mrs. Harrison's sick chamber was in the
west wing of the White House, as far re-
moved as possible from all noise and hustle
Following the return from Loon Lake there
was for few days an apparent change in
her condition; but this was soon shown to
be only temporary. Day and night the
President has been almost constantly at her
side. He has spent few hours in his Office
each morning, but during this time has
made frequent visits to the sick room. The
only callers received by him have been
those whose business is of the utmost i'm
portance. Mrs. Harrison is constantly at
tended bv a trained nurse; her daughter,
Mrs. Mckee; her daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Russell Harrison: and her nieces, Mrs. Par
ker and Mrs Dimmick. Russell Harrison
spends most of his time at the White House,
and the Rev. DIR. Scott Mrs. Harsison's |
aged father, is also there. Like that of the
President, the old gentleman's anxiety and |
sorrow are distressing to behold Mrs. Nc |
kee and Mrs. Russell Harrison have now
assumed tue duties of mistress Of the White |
House, and each morning receive a few |
friendly callers, but the great majority of |
their acquaintances do no more than leave q |
card OF sympathy at the front door of the |
White House.
Mrs. Harrison as a Girl.
Mrs Harrison's sickness lends a melan- |
cholv interest TO the details of her past life |
The President and she have been lovers and |
companions from their early youth. Mrs |
Harrison is by birth Western woman. |
Her father, John w. Scott, was many |
years ago teacher in Miami University, at |
Oxford, O., and it was there that the wife |
of the President was born. She was |
named Caroline-Carrie for Shorthand |
when she grew UP was sent |