The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-02-23
1vASHINGT0N's DEATH.
The Story Told by His Private Secre-
tary.

It is a well-established fact that
George Washington died from the
ovcr-zeal Of his physicians. An in
teresting article on the Subject ap-
pears in McClures Magazine for Feb
ruary, "The Last Days Of George
Washington" from the MS. diary Of
his private secretary, Colonel Tobias
Lear. Under date of Saturday, De-
cember IA, 1899, Mr.. Lear writes as
follows:
** "a heavy fall of snow took
place on Friday. which prevented the
General from riding out as usual. He
had taken cold Undoubtedly from be-
ing so much exposed the day before),
and complained of sore throat. He,
however, went out in the afternoon in
to the ground between the house and
the river to mark some trees which
were to be cut down in the improve
meat of that spot. He had hoarse-
moss which increased in the evening,
but he made light Of it. In the
evening the papers were brought from
the post-ofice, and he sat in the par
lor with Mrs. Washington and myself
reading them until about 8 o'clock,
when Mrs. Washington went up into
Mrs. Lewis room, who was confined
in child bed, and left the General and
myself reading the papers. He was
very cheerful and when he met with
anything interesting or entertaining,
he read it aloud as well as his hoarse-
| ness would permit him.
The writer goes on to say that the
General was particularly interested
and appeared much affected when he
read to him Mr.. Madison's observa-
tions respecting Mr.. Monroe. On re-
firing he suggested the adyisability
of taking something to. remove the
cold, when Washington said, "No;
you know 1 never take anything for a
cold. Let it go as it came.
= Between 2 and 3 clock on
Saturday morning he awoke Mrs.
Washington and told her he was very
unwell and had had an ague. She OBJ
served that he could scarcely speak,
and breathed with difficulty; and
would have got up to call a servant,
but he would not permit her lest she
should take cold. -
''As soon as day appeared Mrs.
Washington sent the maid to call the
writer, and on dressing hurriedly and
going into the Generals chamber, he
says:
"I found the General breathing
with difficulty and hardly able to ut
ter word intelligibly. He desired
that Mr.. Rawlins Zone of the over
seers) might be sent for to bleed him
before the doctors could arrive. [
dispatched a servant instantly for
Rawlins and another for DR.. Craik,
and returned again to the General S
chamber, where / found him in the
same situation as I had left him.
ga mixture of molasses, vinegar
and butter was prepared to try its ef-
feet in the throat, but he could not
swallow a drop Whenever he at
tempted it he appeared to be dis
trcssed, convulsed and almost suffo-
Gated. Rawlins came in soon after
sunrise and prepared to bleed him.
When the arm was ready, the General.
observing that Rawlius appeared to be
agitated, said, as well as he could
speak. Don't be afraid; and, after
the incision was made, he observed.
The orifce is not large enough.
However, the blood ran pretty
freely. Mrs. Washington, not know
ing whether bleeding was proper or
not in the Generals situation, begged
that much might not be taken from
him lest it should be injurious, and
desired me to stop it. But when |
was about to unite the string the Gen
cral put cut his hand to prevent itand
as soon as he could speak said: More,
more Mrs. Washington being still
very uneasy lest too much blood
should be taken, it was stopped after
taking about half a pint.
Finding that no relief was OBJ
tanned from bleeding, and that moth
ing would go down the throat, pro-
posed bathing it externally with 'salvi
latila, which was done; and in the
operation, which was with the hand
and in the gentlcst manner, he OBJ
served, 'Tis very sore A piece of