The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-11-02
MRS. HARRISON GOES TO
HER LONG HOME.
The End Comes in Calm and
Sweet RepOSe.
H0uGhilg Scenes in the Chamber Of
Death.
Beautiful Tributes and Sketches Of Mrs.
Harrison's Domestic and
Social Life.

For the second time in the history Of
the White House Presidents wife has
died within its walls.
Mrs Harrison met death with the
patience and resignation Of a deyout
Christian, aud her last days were COM
partively free from pain.
For twenty-four hours the President
and family had been almost constantly at
her bedside, awaiting the end. Last
night was without special incident, but
late and early, so frequently that he
could have slept but little at all, the
President was in and out Of the sick
chamber and was never away for any
length of time.
As the night waned and the gray light
OF Monday morning spread over the earth
the vital force Of Mrs. Harrison was at
the lowest ebb, and the Presidents anx-
iety became so acute that he felt the
need OF some assurance, no matter of
what character, from medical authority
So messenger was dispatched to the
home of DR.. Gardner and the physician
quickly responded, reaching the White
House at : o'clock. lie found the pa
tient in a condition 70 warrant the gravest
apprehensions, and so hopeless was his
report that the President desired him TO
remain in the White House for time.
DIR. Gardner accordingly remained and
BREAKFAsTED WITH TIE FAMILY.
At9 o'clock it appeared that the strug-
gle for life was 10 be prolonged for some
hours at least, and the doctor lefe the
White House, after giving the family the
small grain Of comfort to be found in the
statement that Mrs. Harrison might live
until the sunlight began to fade into the
shadows Of the evening. The day was
clear and crisp the inspiring sunshine
and the dryness Of the atmosphere had
somewhat helped the invalid and acted
as a stimulant. She was lying on her
back, and whenever she awJke from her
troubled and unsatisfactory sleep she
was conscious. She could still recognize
her surroundings and glance ofTecogni-
ton greeted the physician when he
entered the sick room this morning. The
fatal cough was present, but naturally in
the enfeebIed state Of the invalid it was
not pronounced.
Early in the morning there was a
revival in the popular interest in Mrs
Harrison's condition Many Of the
Bureau chiefs and other employees of the
Executive Department went out Of their
way to enter the White House grouds
and ask for information regarding the
condition of the patient, and the watch
men at the door were kept busy answer
ing questions. AttOrney-General Miller
called carly and saw Mr.. Halford. So
did Mr.. De Struyye, the Russian Minis
ter; Minister Grip, Of Sweden; Rev
DR.. Hamlin, the family pastor: Assistant
Secretary Grant and Indian Commiss-
ioner Morgan.
Mr.. Halford himself had been admitted
to the sick room in the day, 80 that he
was prepared
: To DESCRIBE The SITUATION.
One of his first acts was to telegraph q
statement Of the case to Secretary. Rush,
who is in Wisconsin, and Secretary
FIkins, now in West Virginia, and sug-
gest their speedy return to Washington.
| The other absent members Of the Cabi-
ret were not telegraphed for because
they are expected to return today or to-
morrow
DR.. Gardner saw Mrs. Harrison again
at O'Clock this afternoon. and found
that she was even weaker than when he
visited her about an hour before. She
was then almost completely prostrated,
and was 10 longer able to speak, to cough
or to swallow, and therefore was unable
10 take either stimulants or nOurishment
ofanv kind. The doctor again referred
TO the remarkable vitality displayed b7
the patient, and said she had already
survived a greater number Of critical
conditions than any other patient be bad
ever attended.
About o'clock Private Secretary Hal
ford said that Dr. Gardner bad stated
that Mis-. Harrison might live until
o'clock. Shortly Afterwsrd sdyices Usr'
received by wire at the White House
| that story had originated in the Wes
that Mrs. Harrison was dead. 1t grsdu
ally worked its way EaEt, aHd in shor
time several kilograms of condolenc'
were received. Mr.. Mon gomery, IL
charge Of the Telegraph department, i'm
msdiately answered the messages TO th
effect that there was no truth in the sto
~, and its circulation was premature. A
O'Clock message wss received fron
John y. Scott, Mrs. Hsrrison's brother
stating he would leave Por, Townsend
Wash, at once. The family had bee
endeavoring to reach Mr. Scott, who
Mrs. Harrisons only brother, since Sal
urdsy, but had been unable 10 loeat
him until to-day. He had been abser
FROM zoNE on BUSINESS
It will be impossible for him to reae
here before Friday or Saturday. Th
! night passed slowly for the grief-stricke
watchers. The patient was restless an
nervous, with small huctustions in col
!. dition that did not range far on eithe
side from the general average ofe1trem
depression and exhaustion.
The terrible nervous strain on tho
who watch without hope and despairin
resignation was very apparent. As th
aight wsned and the gray light Of Mol
d day morning spread over the earth IL
vital force Of Mrs Harrison was at
lowest ebb, and the Presidents anxlei
became so acute that be felt the need
some assurance, no matter Of what cha
acter, from medical authorities So
messenger was dispatched to the hon
rn tho nh rateiau 0uIcl