Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1899-12-16
DEATH OF GENERAL WASHING
TON.


the immortal Washington took leave
OF this world. Although he had
nearly completed the 65th year of his
life. every indication promised him
yet many more years in which to en-
Joy the respect and admiration of his
grateful countrymep. Nature had en-
dowed him with a superb physique
and sound constitution. In his prime
he stood six feet and one inch IN
height and weighed 2I0 to 900 pounds
and possessed the agility of panther
and the strength Of a lion. Temper
ate diet, outdoor exercise and labor,
and regularity of habit had develop
ed his physical powers to a remark
able degree. They had never been
impaired to the slightest extent by
any vicious habit. No vice had ever
been able to fix its gnawing tooth up
on the fiber of his intiexible charac-
ter. He had therefore come nearly
to tho allotted three score years and
ten, erect OF form, with the glow of
health upon his cheeks, with natural
force unabated and eye undimmed.
That Hateful Friday morning after
breakfast Washington went out to
make some improvements in front of
his bone. A drizzling rail- turned
first to sleet and then to snow. He
therefore took up some indoor task
until dinner time. About o'clock
in the afternoon he complained OF a
chillness and nausea, but continued
his labor, In the evening he came to
the supper table as usual but only
drank cup of tea.
After supper he retired 10 his IL
brary with Colonel Tobias Lear, his
private secretary and superintendent
OF hls private affairs, They remain
together unlll near midnight, during
which time the soreness of his throat
and hoarseness grew worse. To
suggestion Of Colonel Lear he reph-
ed:"No; you know l never take any,
thing for cold; let it go rs it came"
When he retired to hl5 bed ON his
wife upbraided him for staying up so
late, especially when he had a cold
He returned the memorable reply:
81 came as soon as my business was
accomplished. You know that
through a long life it has been my
UNMARRIED rule never to put off till to-
morrow the duties which should be
performed today"
He went to bed, not to sleep, but to
spend the night in feverish restless
ness. His wife waited to call sery-
anf and send for the doctor, but he
would not permit, lest she herself
should take cold; neither would he
permit the rest of anyone else to be
disturbed till morning, When day.
light came messenger was sent in
haste for Dr.. Craik. Meanwhile the
overseer was called in. who opened
vein and let out a small quantity of
blood. But this brought the sufferer
no relief. DR.. Craik soon arrived and
Drs. Dick OF Alexandria and Brown
OF Port Tobacco, were called in con-
sultation. All day the struggle con-
tinued, but in spite of all that could
be done, the disease steadily gained
upon it's victim, and before the sun
went down all hope had gone, Wash.
ington, though in great pain uttered
no word OF complaint, but endured
with patience what was to be unto
death.
Owing to the swollen and inflamed
condition OF his throat, any effort on
his part to speak was attended with
great pain, while it was very difficult
for him to make himself understood.
He therefore spoke but little. What
few words he did utter, we're listened
to eagerly, and they we're treasured
IN tho memories Of those to whom
they were spoken. One Of his sery-
ants, while smoothing out his pillow,
asked him some question to which he
81 ~