The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-02-28

y zen by Tobias Lear, who
l-A vas his private secretary
and intiriate companion for many
years. This account, which WAS the
only one written. has been preserved,
and as II has been garbled and dis
torted In the biographies of Washing
ton II Is herewith presented as II mat
ter Of historical reference. For The
sake of hrlcfncss, however, minor lie
tails viii be summarized. Mr.. Lear
dates hiJ accouht "MOunt Vernon Sat
urday, December IL, l709,' and he
wrote IL follows:
This day has been marked by an
event which will he memorable In the
history of America, and perhaps of the
world. ] shall give particular state
ment Of IT. to which | was I'm eycwit-
ness.
"On Thursday. December 10, the gen
eral rode out 10 his farm about ten
O'Clock and did Tot return home until
past three. Soon after he went out
the weather became very bad-rain
hail and snow falling alternately, with
q cold wind. When he came In car.
ried some letters 10 him to frank. in.
tending to send them 10 the post office
In the evening. lie frankcd the let.
ters, but said the weather was too bad
10 send servant to the Office. oh.
served to him tlIat Iwas afraid he had
got wet. lie said no; his greatcoat
had kept him dry. But his neck ap.
pcared to he wet and the snow was
hanging upon his hair. He came to
dinner (Which had been waiting for
hiin) without changing his dress In
the evening he appeared as well as
usual.
Friday. December 13, 1900. a heavy
fall OF snow took place on Friday
which prevented the general from rid
Ing out us usual. He had taken cold
undoubtedly. from being so much ex
posed the day before. and compliance
of sore throat. He. however. wen,
out In the afternoon into the grount
between the house and river to mari
some trees which were to be cut dowI
for the Improvement Of the spot. II,
had a hoarseness. which increased IL
the evening. but he made light of il.
Became ~ In Night.
Saturday. December IA. 1709. .: -,
q. m. Between Two and three o'clocl
Saturday morning he awoke Mrs
Washington and told her he was yer,
unwell and had had IN aguc. She oh
served that he could scarcely speak
and breathed with difficulty. and woul,
have got up TO call Il servant, hut h,
would not permit her, lest she shout,
take cold. As soon as the day al
peared the woman (CarOline) went int,
the room 10 make fire, and Mrs
Washington sent her immediately I,
call me. got up. put on my clothe
as quickly as possible and went to nl
Chamber. Mrs. Washington was the
up, and related to me his being i'll. I,
before stated. found the genera
breathing with difficulty, nnd hardl
= able to utter a word intellgihly. II
desired Mr.. ItawllnS Zone OF the rvel
N'Nicl hiPi' wv ~ ~ WI w bltt'l Ilt
before the doctor could arrive. al.
patched a servant immediately III
Rawlins and another for Doctor Crail
and returned again to the general
chamber.
"A mixture OF molasses. vinegar an
butter was prepared TO try It's efrect
on the throat, hut he could not swa
low drop. Rawlins came In 500
after sunrise and prepared to blee
him. When the arm was ready IN
general, observing that Rawlns ay
peared to be agitated, said, as we
ms he could speak, Don't be afraid
And when the incision was made h
observed. The orifice Is not larp
enough However. the blood ran pre-
" freely. Mrs. Washington, not kno,
ing whether bleeding was proper {
not In the generals situation, begge
that much might not be taken frol
him, lest 1t should be Injurious. an
desired me to stop II butlwhen wa
about to unite the string the gener'