Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-08-03
BISMARCK IS NO MORE
THE GREATEST GERMAN DEAD
The Founder of the United German
Empire Has Departed-One of the
Few Great Men of the Century
Details of His Last Moments.

Berlin, July 3l.--Bismarck died about
eleven o'clock last night.
On Tuesday an improvement set in in
the princes condition, while repeated
changes for the worse had occurred since
October last, and he was able to appear
at the table and take part in the CONVEX
sation, drinking champagne and after.
wards smoking several pipes, which he
had not done for some time.
His condition was so satisfactory that
Dr. Schweninger, after the prince had
gone to bed, left with the intention OF
returning on Saturday. His condition was
good Saturday. He read the Nachrich-
ten and conversed on politics, particular
ly referring to Russian affairs. In the
forenoon he took luncheon, grumbling
jocularly at the small proportion Of spir-
its in his drinking water. Then a sud
den change for the worse occurred, in
consequence of an acute attack OF pull
monary oedema, and in the course of the
afternoon he frequently became uncon-
scious. Recently, with brief periods of his
usual mental clearness, the prince had
had intervals of drowsiness, falling into
long, sound and beneficial sleep, on awak.
ening from which he would be complete
ly refreshed.
Last Moments.
On Saturday evening grave symptoms
DIR. Schweninger was able to re.
main to tighten his last moments by wip-
IN ba from, hn ;ay,tfc IA
and enabling him to breathe more freely.
The last words Prince Bismarck utter
ed were addressed to his daughter, Coun-
tess Won Rantzau, who wiped the per-
spiration from his forehead. They were:
Thanks, my child"
the bedside at the time Of his death and
DR.. Schweninger. DR.. Chrysander and
Baron and Baroness Merck were also pres
ent.
AS no breathing movement or pulse was
perceptible for three minutes, DR.. Schwen-
niger declared quietly and simply that the
prince was dead.
DIR. Schweninger telegraphed the news
to Emperor William in Norway. The
prince lies as he used to sleep, in an easy
position, with his head slightly inclined
to the left. The expression on his face
is mild and peaceful. 1t was remarked
that his head remained warm for an un-
usually long time.
In accordance with Prince Bismarck s
wish he will be buried upon the hill Op-
posite the castle in the vicinity Of Hirch-
grippe.
Fought to the Last.
Midnight-When Dr. Schweninger ar
rived at the Friedrichruhe station shortly
after 10 o'clock Saturday evening, the
two Counts Won Rantzau were waiting
with carriage and the physician was
driven rapidly to the castle, where he
found the prince unconscious. According
to an unofficial account the death agony
was prolonged. The prince died without
taking leave of the family, for fully an
hour suffering terrible difficulty in breath
ing and his groans were fearful to hear
during the death struggle. He had been
placed in sitting position and propped
up with cushions in order to relieve the
frightful spasms in breathing. His pow
erful constitution fought TO the last. The
family, gathered in an adjoining room,
was plunged into the very anguish of
grief by the means from the death cham
Der. The despair was intensified by DIR.
absence. The only conso-
lation was that the prince was uncon-
scious during the last two hours. DIR.