The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-25

W iONs Wv, CO., SpcClalI-
Mrs. Harrison peacefully passed away
at lao this morning, surrounded by the
President and the immediate members
OF the family DIR. Gardner also re-
mained with tho distinguished patient
to the end.
THE CLOSING SCENES.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2i.-l Special
Last night passed slowly for tho grief.
stricken watchers at tho White House.
The patient was restless and nervous
with small fluctuations in her condition
that did not range far on either side
from the general average of extreme
depression and exhaustion. A trained
nurse was constantly at hand and the
President aud members of tho family
had little reposo, being frequently in
and out of tho sickroom or in communi.
cation with it.
The terrible nervous strain on those
who watched without hope and in de-
spairing resignation, was very apparent
AS the night waned and the gray light OF
Monday morning spread over the earth
sAAO 'AoesA AN'SO VI lhIS h0ETtSOu was at
the lowest ebb and the Presidents
anxiety became SO acute that he felt
the need of some assurance, no M after
OF what character, from medical author.
fty. So u messenger was dispatched to
the house of DIR. Gardner and the physi-
clan quickly responded, reaching the
White House at o'clock. So hopeless
was his report that the President desired
him to remain in tho White House for a
time. DR.. Gardner accordingly re-.
manned and breakfasted with the family.
The day was clear and crisp and cool,
and, perhaps, the inspiring sunshine and
drvness Of the atmosphere had some
what helped the invalid and acted as a
stimulent. She was lying on her back
and whenever she awoke from her
troubled and unsatisfac cory sleep she
was conscious. She could still recognize
her surroundings, and u glance Of rec
ignition greeted the physician when he
entered the sick room this morning.
The fatal cough was present, but
naturally in the enfeebled state of the
invalid 1t was not pronounced.
EARLY in the morning there was re-
vival in popular interest in Mrs Har-
rison's condition. Many of the bureau
chiefs and other employees of the ex-
ecutive departments went out OF thoir
way TO enter the white house grounds
and ask for information regarding the
condition OF the patient, and watchmen
at the door were kept busy answering
questions Nearly all the mem ers Of
the diplomatic corps called at the white
house during the forenoon to inquire
after Mrs. Harrison, and to leave
messages of sympathy for tho President
and family.
great many OF Mrs. Harrison's per.
sonal friends also called. but the family,
in their deep grief, asked to be excused
from seeing any one. An exception
was made, however, in the case of Mrs.
Parker, wife of Maj, Parker. of the
army, who has been constant visitor
ever since Mrs. uarrison's return to
Washington.
Notwithstanding the publicity given
to the fact that Mrs. Harrison was near
to death, there was tho usual rush to
tho house Of curious sightseer for
whose thoughtless conduct the only OK
cuse to BIO offered is that they arc
strangers in the city. Although the
house was closed to them they did not
appear to realize the fact until they en-.
tered the portico and were confronted at
the door of the main entrance with two
ing the single word, CLOSED"
DIR. Gardner was at the patients bed
side nearly the entire forenoon. He
went away two or three times to attend
to other professional duties, but az no
time was he absent moro than half an
hour. He frank y ad mitted to the news
pc per men, who thronged about him
whenever he appeared outside the man
sion, that tho time CT Mrs. Harrison's
death was only the question of q few
hours and his efforts were devoted solely
TO making his patient as cmfortabe as
possib bic in her dying hours. She was
slowly passing away, no said, and al
though tho end night como at any
minute it was possible that she might
linger for hours yet.
He explained that she was in tho
last stages Of the disease and was no
longer able to take nourishment OF any
kind. Frequent applications OF stimu-
lating moisture to her parched lips
seemed to be the only treatment that
afforded her the slightest relief. AL
though she WAS in the state of extreme
exhaustion and drowsiness the physi.
clan said she had not yet passed into
the comatose condition which usually
precedes death. She still retained con.
seriousness, and when awake seemed to
realize what was passing on around
her. The doctor again referred to the
remarkable vitality displayed by the
patient and said she had already sur
vived greater number of critical con-
ditions than other patient no had ever
attended.
Today is the first day that the White
House has been wholly closed to the
public since Mrs. Harrison was taken
sick. Mrs. Harrison suffered an a.arm.
ing sinking spell shortly after o'clock,
from which she rallied however. DR..