The times., 1899-12-10
THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON.
Last Hours of the Revered Soldier,
Statesman. and Patriot.

Last Hours of the Revered Soldier,
Statesman. and Patriot.
As is we'll known, Washington was
man of splendid physique. temperate
diet. plenty of labor and exercise out Of
doors, together with regular habits, had
developed his powers OF endurance to re
markable degree. He would mount a spir-
tied horse and ride for miles through the
country without apparent fatigue. 1t was
a matter of great difficulty for his COM
panions in his travels 10 keep pace with
him 1t was therefore not surprising that
the news of his brief illness and untimely
death shocked the people and was almost
dIscredited.
As was his custom, Washington went
out on that fatcfuI Friday morning to
make some changes and improvements in
front Of his mansion While he was at
work a drilling rain began TO fall. 1t
liaally turned 10 snow. He continued his
task until il was completed. When he
had finished he went into the house, but
refused to change his clothes. Instead
Of resting he commenced some indoor
labor, at which he continued until din
ner was served. During the afternoon he
tackled with nausea. He joined the fam
lily at supper but had no appetite. He
did however drink a CuD OF tea.
General Washington had been in the
habit of spending Jne evening with the
members of his household, and retiring
promptly at o'clock On this night he
broke this practice. When the usual hour
for retiring came, he went 20 the library,
evidently with a presentment that some
thing caviaug W. tn hafgIl him
he remained until nearly midnight, dis
cussing his business affairs With his sec
retary, Col. Tobias Lear The colonel
suggested that he retire, but without avail
He also suggested that the General had
better take something for his cold. This
Washington also refused to Do, saying
Let it go as it came. =
When the General had completed his
work. he went TO his room TO retire. His
wife chided him for staying up 80 late. His
reply. which now appears 10 have been very
significant, was, u came as soon as my
business was accomplished. You know that
through long life il has been my UNMARRIED
rule never 10 put off till tomorrow the du-
ties which should be performed today" He
went TO bed and did not sleep well but
he refused to allow q physician 10 be sent
for, He seemed to- feel the end approach
ing. He spoke but little To an old ser
want he said, II amVery III To Dr., Crdik
he said, Il am dying, sir but I am not
afraid TO die" His mind was perfectly
clear up to the time his spirit left his body.
He seemed to know to the minute when his
spirit would soar 70 higher realms, but
short time before he died he sent his
wife to his desk for some papers Taking
two of them, he said: These are my wills
Preserve this one; burn the other"
Turning TO his secretary. he said, "At
length I am going. Have me decently bur
led and do not let my body be put in the
vault in less than three days after | am
dead" He asked the time, turned over on
his back, arranged himself in bed with his
hands folded across his breast said Good
by" went to sleep and never awakened
| again in this world.
There were in the room at the time
Colonel Lear, DR.. Craik, Mrs Washington.
the servants Charlotte. Caroline, Molly
and Christopher and Mrs. Forbes, the
| housekeeper. There was no clergyman.
This fact has appeared strange, but his
wife constantly ministered 10 his spiritual
needs. With Bible in hand she spent hours
by his bedside reading his fayorite pas
sages, and offering prayer.