Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-02-21

L
1&O was his private secretary
and intimate companion for many
years. This account, which was the
only one written, has been preserved,
and as it has been garbled and dis
torted in the biographies of Washing
ton 1t is herewith presented as a mat
Ger of historical reference For the
sake of briefness, however, minor de-
tails will be summarized. Mr.. Lear
dates his account Mount Vernon. Sat
urday, December IA, 1799," and he
wrote as follows:
''This day has been marked by an
event which will be memorable in the
history of America, and perhaps of the
world. shall give particular state
went of it, to which 1 was an eyewit-
ness.
"On Thursday, December II, the gen.
eral rode out to his farm about ten
O'Clock and did not return home until
past three. Soon after he went out
the weather became very bad-rain,
hail and snow falling alternately with
a cold wind. When he came in | car
ried some letters to him to frank, in
tending to send them to the post office
La the evening. He franked the let
tiers, but said the weather was too bad
to send servant to the Office. I OBJ
served to him that 1 was afraid he had
got wet. He said no; his greatcoat
had kept him dry. But his neck ap-
peared to be wet and the snow was
hanging upon his hair. He came to
dinner (Which had been waiting for
him) without changing his dress. In
the evening he appeared as we'll as
usual.
Friday, December 13, 1899. A heavy
fall of snow took place on Friday
which prevented the general from rid
Ing out as usual. He had taken cold
undoubtedly, from being so much ex
| posed the day before, and complained
of a sore throat. He, however, went
out In the afternoon into the ground
haSween the house and river to mari
some trees which were to be cut dowr
| for the improvement of the spot. HI
had a hoarseness, which increased il
the evening. but he made light of it.
Became III in Night.
Saturday, December II, 1899. . :3(
a. m. Between two and three o'cIocl
Saturday morning he awoke Mrs
Washington and told her he was very
unwell and had had an ague. She OBJ
served that he could scarcely speak
and breathed with difficulty, and woult
have got up to call a servant, but h,
would not permit her, lest she shoulC
take a cold. AS soon as the day an
peared the woman (Caroline) went int,
the room to make a fire, and Mrs
Washington sent her immediately f,
call me. got up, put on my clothe
as quickly as possible and went to hi
chamber. Mrs. Washington was theI
up, and related to me his being i'll, a
before stated. l found the genera
breathing with difficulty, and hardI,
able to utter a word intelligibly. H
desired Mr.. Rawlins Zone of the over
Seers) might be sent for to bleed hin
before the doctor could arrive. l dis
patched a servant Immediately 70
Rawlins and another for Doctor Craik
and returned again TO the general
chamber.
"a mixture of molasses, vinegar an
butter was prepared to try its effect
on the throat. but he could not swaI
low a drop. Rawlins came in 500
after sunrise and prepared to blee
him. When the arm was ready tn
general, observing that Rawlins az
peared to be agitated, said,' as we
as he could speak, Don't be- afraid
And wnen the incision was made h
observed, The orifice is not arg
enough However, the blood ran pre-
ty freely. Mrs. Washington, not know
ing whether bleeding was proper O
not in the generals situation, begge
that much might not be taken fror
him. lest it should be injurious, an
desired me to stop it; but when ! wa
about to unite the string the genera