Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-01-26
WHEELER RETIRING
AT DEATHS ADVANCE
Hope Has Been About Aban
doned.
END CANNOT BE LONG DELAYED
Aged Warrior and Statesman, Sur
rounded by Loved Ones at Home OF
Sister, Is Gradually succumbing tc
Grim Monster Death.

New York, Jan. 25.-Brigadier Gen
eral Joseph Wheeler, U. S. A, retired
soldier, statesman, and author, is dying
at the home of his sister in this city.
Wednesday morning the physicians
said the end could not be long de
layed The members of the family
who remain within easy call OF the
sick chamber refSse to give up hope,
but they realize the gravity Of the
veterans condition.
Six days ago at the home of his sis
ter, Mrs Sterling Smith, Brooklyn,
where he has recently lived, General
Wheeler contracted a severe colo
which developed into pleurisy and
pneumonia From the first the war
rior's SO years told against him, and
when Wednesday the disease was
known to have affected both lungs, it
was feared that a fatal termination
was inevitable.
Late Wednesday night DR.. McCorkle,
the attending physician, said recovery
was practically impossible. At mid
night a sinking spell caused the fami-
ly to be summoned to the bedside.
There were in addition to Mrs. Smith
Major Wheeler, Jr., U. S. A., now sta
toned at West Point, and the four
daughters of General Wheeler, Mrs
w. J. Harris, and the Misses Anna, Lu-
cille, and Carrie Wheeler The daugh
ters had come on from the south on
Tuesday, and Wednesday, conscious
and with his mind apparently active,
the general seemed to know that death
was approaching, and, too weak to
speak, he tried with characteristic for
tttude to noa encouragement to his
children Dr. McCOrkle and DR.. Jane
way were in constant attendance, and
held frequent consultations during the
night, but they could offer no hope
to the stricken family.
Later the general sank into peace
full slumber, and at the earnest wish
of the physicians, the members of the
family, who had been summoned to
the bedside, returned to their rooms.
Thursday morning there was no per,
ceptible change. The patient remain
ed apparently comfortable, but death
appeared to be a matter of hours only.
Major Wheeler said that the conul
ton of his father was such that the
family was prepared for the worst
Dr. McCorkle, who, with DR.. Jane.
way, remained close by the patient
throughout the night, said that in the
case of a young or middle aged pa
tient, a crisis might be expected al
the end of a week With one of Gen
eral Wheeler's age, however, the end
might come euddenly at any time The
attention of the physicians during the
night was given chiefly to the fiuctuat-
ing temperature of the patient
DR.. McCorkle called Or. John Long
mote in consultation in General
Wheeler's case Wednesday night and
the two physicians remained with the
patient all night DR.. Longmore left
the bedside Thursday morning. He
said General WheeIer's life was then
hanging by thread. The patient was
only half conscious at that time, anu
it was believed that death might en-
sue at any moment. Oxygen was ad-
ministered to the patient Thursday
morning for the first time
DR.. McCorkle said shortly before 10
o'clock Thursday morning: General
Wheeler has one chance in twenty for
recovery. His condition is very low,
and his strength is being kept up on
stimulants, but nevertheless he has a
fighting chance"