The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-03-16
RESISTING TIE REAPER.
Gen. Harrison Makes Gallant Fight
Against the Onward March
of Death.
APPARENTLY A HOPELESS STRUGGLE,
The Oxygen Treatment ResOrted to
lieying the Affected Lung, hut
with Indifferent Success--The Gem
eraI Gradually sinking.

|
eraI Gradually Sinking.
indianapolis, Ind, March 14.--Last
night was a long, anxious vigil to the
watchers at the bedside of Gen. Har.
rison and to the thousands of friends
of the eX-president all over the coun-
try. The gloom emanating from the
Harrison home spread not only over
this city, but over the state and M.
ton, and the whole country waited
with the deepest concern for the
story of the fight against death told
in the bulletins that came hourly
from the side of the dying man.
The Oxygen Treatment.
The oxygen treatment by which II
was hoped to ease the patient
breathing to such an extent that the
affected portion of his lungs might be
relieved of the STRAIN that deepened
Che inflammation, while he would be
able to recuperate a little of the
strength that was being continually
worn away, was administered regular.
ly throughout the night. While it did
not bring results that were at any
time encouraging, it enabled the gen
eral to prolong the fight. Gen, Harri.
son gave no signs during the night
that indicated that he recognized
| those about him or that he was suf.
fering greatly.
A Deplorable Feature.
A feature which deepened the gloom
that lay over the household was the
probability that neither Russell b.
Harrison nor Mrs, Mary Harrison Me-
Kee, the generals son and daughter,
would be able 20 reach his bedside
before the end came. A telegram re-
ceiyed from the former stated that he
would leave Washington at one
o'clock this morning, which bring him
into this city at about midnight;
while a message from Mrs. Mckee,
from Saratoga, n. y, received about
the same time, contained the informa-
ton that she could NOT leave the bed
side of her two children, who were
seriously i'll of the measles.
Temporary Feeling of Relief.
This morning when the people Of
the city learned that the general had
lived through the night there were
general expressions of relief ard
qualification, based on the impression
that If the patient had successfully
fought OF death through the night,
day would bring TO him recuperated
energies and possible promise of life.
However, this hope did not relieve the
anxiety felt by all, and the bulletin
boards were surrounded with the
large crowds and the telephone calls
came in the same numbers as yester-
day and last night.
Many beautiful flowers have been
received at the Harrison home during
the illness Of the general, and each
hour brings in many additional offer
ings of this character 1t was deemed
best to take but few flowers into the
sick room.
The Harrison home was closed TO
ncwspapermen. Yesterday and last
night the house was fairly besicgcd
with representatives Of the local pa.
pers and correspondents for foreign
papers until IL VAS apparent that n
change of arrangements for furnish
ing bulletins would be necessary. Ac-
cordingly II was arranged to give out
the bulletins only Ivy telephone.
Relatives EN- Route.
Mrs. Eaton, the sister OF Gen, llnr-
rison, who lives In Cincinnati, arrived
ut the Harrison home ut noon, Mrs
Norris, the sister who resides IN Min
ncupolis, IL on her way TO this city,
and IL expected TO arrive some time
this afternoon or early In the even
ing. Mrs lcvin. of pttumwn, 10, the
third sister, is supposed to be on her
way here, although no word from her
TO that effect has been received rs yet
John Scott Harrison, one OF Gen,
llnrrison's two brothers, who lives In
Kansas City, IL known TO be en- route,
but IL IL not known at what hour he
will arrive here. Carter i. Harrison,
of Murphysboro, Tenn, the other
brother, has not been heard from
since he was notified Of the critical
condition OF the general, II Is
thought that he Is on his way her.