New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-14

would heave deep signs Of relief and fix their
eyes once more upon the face of their chief.
The vitality exhibited by Mr.. Lincoln was re-
markable. II the opinion of the surgeons
! in attendance that most patients would have
died within hours from the reception of
! such an injury; yet MIR. Lincoln fingered from
| 1870 p. m until ID a IN.
! Mrs. Lincoln and a few other ladies and the
! Rev. DR.. Gurley Mrs. Lincoln's pastor, remained
during the night in the front parlor of the house.
occasionally visiting her dying husband. When
I ever she sat down at the bedside, clean napkins
were laid over the crimson stains on the pillow.
| Her last visit was most painful AS she entered
! the chamber and saw how the beloved features
were distorted she fell fainting to the floor
Restoratives were applied and she was sup
ported to the bedside, where she frantically ad-
dressed the dying
ment to speak to me once-to speak to our chill
dren''
On one of her visits she looked up into my
face as 1 stood leaning over the head of the bed,
and said in most piteous tones: "Oh. shoot me.
doctor, why don't you shoot me, too? cannot
live. I begged him not to CO.
When it announced that the great heart
had ceased TO beat Mr.. Stanton said in solemn
tones:
He now belongs to the ages"
Shortly after death, finding that the eyes were
not entirely closed, one Of the young surgeons
reverently placed silver half dollars upon them.
Secretary Stanton pulled down the window
shades. guard stationed outside the door,
and the martyred President was left alone. AS
passed the partly open door of the parlor
DR.. Gurley's voice could be heard raised in
prayer. and Mrs. Lincolns means were pitiful
MULTITUDE STOOD IN THE RAIN.
Outside the drizzng rain falling upon
the heads OF a multitude that were packed from
Pennsylvania-ave. far the eye could see.
Shortly after. Mrs. Lincoln, supported by her
son Robert entered her carriage and was driven
to the White House. At o'clock five surgeons,
of whom was one, met at the White House to
perform an autopsy. 1t was found that the ball,
a Derringer, had been remoulded thus making
1t brittle. 1t had split into two pieces in its
progress through the BRAIN one piece lodging
half way in its track through the brain, and
the other just behind the right eye.
The orbital plate of the right eye was shat
tered into numberless fragments, although not
touched by the bullet.
During the autopsy Mrs. Lincoln sent for
lock of the Presidents hair. The piece was cut
for her Immediately around the fatal wound.
wet with his blood; also received a lock, as did
others.
1t is not generally known that the last official
act Of Mr.. Lincoln's life was to sign the pardon
Of q rebel spy. The pardon was signed just be-
fore the President left the White House to go to
the theatre.
In telling of how he became acquainted with
Lincoln and learned to love him. DR.. Taft gives
some interesting anecdotes. The churches of
Washington, mos people will remember, were
turned into hospitals after the battle of Bull
Run the hospitals being inadequate DR.. Taft
was the medical officer on the staff of General
Augur military comrsandant of the District of
Columbia, and when the old Episcopal Church
OF the Ascension, in HIST. close to the White
House was imrrovised a hospital he was
made surgeon IN charge.
The President was greatly harassed by affairs
of state. and the troubles of countless indivd
uals We're being brought TO him at that time.
Still, he found time 20 visit the hospitals, DR..
Taft says and had always a word of hearty
cheer for the poor fellows lying disabled. They
invariably felt better after his visits.
Mrs. Lincoln generally accompanied him and
brought wine and flowers. which she distributed
personally among the convalescents. Whenever
he found a big fellow convalescent the President
would insist. in his hearty, good humored way,
on measuring height with him. Back to back
they would stand and knock heads together,
the President of the United States and the pri-
vate in the Regular Army. Lincoln never found
a man in the hospital as tall as he was. His
height was six feet four inches.