The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-15
THE Ex-PRESIOENT PASSED AWAY YES
TERD4Y AFTERNOON,
UNCONSCIOUS SEVERAL HOURS.
Early In the Morning were Indications
of Near Approach OF Death-Con-
sciousness ut no Time Returned-His
Elder Children not Present-The
President to Issue Appropriate Pro-
clamation Today-Government Build.
ings Cannot be Draped-Cleveland's
Tribute to Mr.. Harrison.

Indianapolis, Ind. March 13-Gener-
al Benjamin Harrison died at 4:45 this
afternoon, without regaining conscious
ness. His death was quiet and pain
less, there being a gradual sinking
until the end came, which was marked
by a single gasp for breath as life de-
parted from the body. His relatives,
with few exceptions, and several of
his old and tried friends were at the
former presidents bedside when he
passed away.
The generals condition was so bad
this morning, after a restless night,
that the. attending physicians under
stood that the end could not be far off,
and all bulletins sent out from the
sick room were to this effect, so that
the family and friends were prepared
when the final blow came.
The gradual failing of the remarka-
bic strength shown by the patient be-
came more noticeable in the afternoon.
and a few moments before the end
there was an apparent break down on
the part of the sufferer, as he surren-
dered to the disease against which he
had been so bravely battling for so
many hours. The change was noticed
by the physicians and the relatives and
friends, who had retired from the sick
room to the library below, were quick
ly summoned and reached the bedside
of the general before he passed away
News of the death spread quickly
through the city and several of the
more intimate friends at once hurried
to the Harrison residenc. The word
was flashed from the bulletins of all
the newspapers, and thus communicate
ed to the people on their way home in
the evening. The announcement pro-
duced the greatest sorrow. Within
a few moments, the flags on all the
public buildings and most of the down.
town business blocks were hoisted at
half mast and other outward manifes->
tations anf mourning were made.
None of General Harrison's children
were peresent at his death. Neither
Colonel Russell Harrison nor Mrs. Nc
kee had reached the city, although
both were on their way.
Elizabeth, General Harrison's little
laughter, had been taken from the sick
room by her nurse before the end
came.
The group at the bedside included
Mrs. Harrison, William H. H. Miller,
Samuel Miller, his son; Rev. DR.. M. L.
Haines, pastor of the First PreSbyte-
rian church, which General Harrison
had attended for so many years.. Sec
retary Libbels, Drs, Jameson and Dor
sey, Colonel Daniel M. Ransdell, SER
geant-at-armS of the United States
senate and close personal friend of
the dead eX-preSident. Mrs. Harri-
SON knelt at the righthand side of the
bed, her husbands right hand grasp
ed in hers, while DR.. Jameson held the
1afx
the feeble pulse beats. In a few mo-
| ments after the friends had been sum-
moned DR.. Jameson announced the
end. The silence that fell on the sor-
rowing watchers by the bedside was
broken by the voice of DR.. Haines.
raised in prayer.
General Harrison had been uncon-
scious for hours before his death, the
exact time when he passed into a COM
atose state being difficult to determine.
He spoke to no one today, failing to
recognize even his wife. The greater
part of Tuesday, also, he was in a
semi-comatose condition, although he
was at times able to recognize these
at his bedside. AT that time he recog-
| nized and spoke to Mrs. Newcomer,
his aunt. and also to Mr.. Miller, the
words, however, being very indistinct.
Doctor" and my lungs" were 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 oc-
CURED Tuesday before he became un-
conscious. The generals little daugh-
ter, Elizabeth, was brought into the
sick room for few moments to see
her father and offered him a small ap-
pie pie which she herself had made
General Harrison smiled his recogni-
tion of the child and her gift, but the
effort to speak was too much and he
could do nothing more to express his
appreciation.
Today all efforts to arouse the slowly
dying man to consciousness failed, and
he died without a word of recognition
to any OF those who surrounded his
bedside.
The funeral will take place next Sun
day afternoon at 2 o'clock. The ser
vices will be held in the First Presby-
terrain church. OF which General Harri-
son was member for nearly fifty
years. Rev. DIR. NJ. L. Haines, pastor
| Of the church. will have charge Of the
services.
The body will lie in state in the ro-
tunda OF the state capitol all day Sat
urday. The highest honors which 1t Is
| in the power OF the state Of Indiana to
pay will be rendered to the remains.
| As far as they could be reached by
| telegrams the living members OF Pres
| ident Harrisons cabinet were promptly
| notified OF bis death and most of them
will attend the funeral
Washington. March 13.-Deep inter-
| est was exhibited in all of the execu-
| tive departments throughout the day
/ in the reports that came as to the con-
| dition OF ex-President HARRISON. As
| Office hours had closed for the day
before the end came the FIRST ofYfcfal /