Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-03-16
A Pathetic Incident.

state being difficult to determine. He
spoke to no one yesterday, failing to
recognize even his wife. The greater
part Of Tuesday he was in a semi-com-
atose condition, although he was at
times able to recognize those at his
bedside. At one time he recognized
and spoke tc Mrs. Newcomer, his aunt,
and also to Mr.. Miller, the words, how
ever, being very indistinct. Doctor"
and my lungs we're the only words
understood. Almost the last words he
uttered were addressed to his wife, Of
whom he inquired, shortly before he
became unconscious, if the doctors
were present.
One of the most pathetic Incidents
of the whole illness of the general
ocucrred Tuesday before he became
unconscious. The generals little
daughter. Elizabeth, was brought into
the sick room for a few moments to
see her father, and offered him a small
apple pie which she herself had made.
Gen. Harrison smiled his recognition
of the child and her gift. but the effort
to speak was toe much, and he could
do nothing more to express his aprre-
citation.
Yesterday all efforts to arouse the
SLOWLY uylNS MAN 10 C~UiiSCiOuSicSs
failed. and he died without a word of
recognition to any of those who sur
rounded his bedside.
From one who was present at the
deathbed it is learned that the allega-
lions of cruelty and injustice dealt out
by England to the Beers in their strug-
gle for liberty had been a subject for
thought in the MIND or Gen. Harrison.
To his friends he had often spoken of
the pity and shame, as he viewed it,
that the brave and sturdy farmers of
South Africa should be robbed Of their
country, of all they have in the world,
and forced 10 submit to terrible mis-
cries in resisting the expressions Of a
world power. Gen. Harrison, 1t is
stated, would have liked nothing better
than to come out frankly and strongly
and say to every one who would hear
what he thought of England's cruelty.
1t was in his mind constantly, but he
believed that an ex-president should
observe the same proprieties of speech
which are observed by a president of
the United States. He was at all times
careful to say nothing which could be
misconstrued or twisted into a seeming
disregard for the dignity of the high
office which he once held.
His sympathy For the Beers.
In his semi-conscious condition, when
the sentinels of discretion and pro-
priety had gone from their posts, and
the mind of the man was wandering,
he began to speak of the Beers and
hopeless struggle for national life.
His voice was weak and trembling,
his thoughts were not connected, but
the listeners bending over him could
hear words Of pity for the dying farm
err republics.
As far as they could be reached by
kilograms, the living members of Pres
Harrison's cabinet were prompt
ly notified Of his death, and most Of
them will attend the funeral. With
the exception of former Secretary of
State John w. Foster. who is travelling
in Mexico ard could not be located,
the following received the notices for
warded: Former Secretary OF the
Treasury Charles w. Foster. ex-Sec-
OF War Stephen b. Elkins, ex-
Secretary of the Navy Benjamin r.
Tracy, ex-Sccretary of the Interior
John w. Noble and ex-Postmaster