The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-14
GEN. HARRISON DEAD
rx-PREsIDENT OF UNITED STATES
is NO MORE.
END QUIET AND PAINLESS,
,Asr THOUGHTS WE'RE OF DYING
BOER REPUBACS.

Remains Will Lie in state at the
Capitol Saturday, and the Funeral
Will Take Place Sunday Afternoon.
The Decesed Was a Brave Solder
and Had Attained High Distinction
as Lawyer as Well as IN the
state and Nation.
1ndianapolis March 13-Gen. Benjamin
Harrison died at 4:45 O'Clock this after
noon without reg2ining consciousness
His death was quiet and painless, there
being a gradual sinking until the end
came, which was marked by single gasp
for breath as life departed from the body
of the great statesman. The relatives,
With few exceptions, and several OF MS
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 understood 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
r-he gradual failing of the remarkable
strength shown by the patient became
more noticea BILE in the afternoon, ana
few moments before the end there was an
unDarent breakdown on the part or the
sufferer. as he surrendered to the dis
case against which he had been SO brave
" battling for so many hours. Inc
change was noticed by the physicians ana
the relatives and friends who had retired
from the sick room to the library below
were quickly summoned and reached the
bedside of the General before he passed
away.
BuIIetined by the Newspapers.
News of the death spread quickly
through the city and several of the more
intimate friends at once hurried to the
Harrison residence. The word was Hash
ed from the bulletins of all the neWspa-
pers, and thus communicated to the peo-
ple on their way home in the evening.
The announcement produced the great
est sorrow. Within a few moments the
flags on all the public buildings and most
of the downtown business blocks were
hoisted at half-mast and other outward
manifestations OF mourning were made
None of Gen. Harrisons children was
present at his death. Neither Col. Russell
Harrison nor Mrs. Mckee had reached
the civ. aUnOuSn DOLll WGlS CH
their way to the bedside of their dying
parent as fast as steam could carry
them.
The Deathbed Scene.
Elizabeth. Gen. Harrison's little daugh-
ter. had been taken from the sick room
bv 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 Presbyterian Church
which Gen. Harrison had attended for
so many years. Secretary Tibbetts. Drs
Jameson and Dorsey; Col. Daniel M
Ransdell. sergeant-at-arms of the United
States Senate and a close personal friend
of the dead ex-President; Clifford Arrlck
and the two nurses, who have been IN
constant attendance. Gen. Harrisons 5 two
sisters and an aunt were also present
Mrs Harrison kneeled at the right hand
side of the bed her husbands right hand
grasped in hers, while DR.. Jameson held
the left hand of the dying man, counting
the pulse beats. In a few moments after
the friends had been summoned to the
room the end came, DR.. jameson an
nouncing the sad fact. The great silence
that fell on the sorrowing watchers by
the bedside was broken by the voice OF
Dr. Haines, raised in prayer.
Steps were at once taken to notify the
friends and relatives outside the city.
The first telegram sent to Washington
was by Col. Ransdell to his wife Other
kilograms followed to prominent men at
the national capital including Senators
Fairbanks and Beveridge of Indiana.
Had Been Unconscious for Hours.
Gen. Harrison had been unconscious for
hours before his death, the exact time
when he passed into a comatose state be-
ing difficult to determine. He spoke TO
no one to-day, failing to recognize even
his wife. The greater part of Tuesday,
also, he was in semi-comatose condition,
although he was at times able 10 recog-
Eize those at his bedside. At that time
he recognized and spoke to Mrs, New
conner, his aunt, and also TO Mr.. Miller,
Inc words. however, being very distinct.
Doctor" and my lungs" were tho
only words understood. Almost the last
words he uttered were addressed to his
wife of whom he inquired, shortly be-
FORE he became unconscious if the doc
tors were present.
His Little Daughters Offer.
One of the most pathetic incidents tf
the whole illness of the General occurred
Tuesday before he became unconscious.
The Generals little daughter, Elizabet tn,
was brought into the sick room for few
moments to see her father. and offered
MIN a small apple pie which she herself
had made. Gen. Harrison smiled his rec
oSnltion Of the child and her gift, but
the effort to speak was too much and he
could do nothing more to express his APP
probation.
To-day all efforts to arouse the slowly
oying man to consciousness failed; and
ne died without word of recognition %
my OF those who surrounded his bedside
Inst Thoughts of BOer Republics.
From one who was present at tho
"eathbed 1t Is learned that the allegations
OF cruelty and injustice dealt out by
England to the Beers I'm their struggle
TOT liberty had been a subject FOL
thought in the mind of Gen. Harrison
IN his semi-conscious condition. wher
tne sentinels Of discretion and proprietS
had gone from their posts and the mind
OF the man was wandering, he began q
speak Of the Beers and their hopeless
struggle for national life His voice wei
weak and trembling, his thoughts wer'
not connected. but the listeners bendini
over him could hear words Of pity fo
me dying farmer republics.
Arrangements for the Funeral.
The funeral Of eK-President Harrison
HNl take place next Sunday afternoon al
o'clock. The services vii b. hold ~
tlf flrft Presbyterian Church. Of yhlci
''n' Harrison was member f0r nearl,