The Jasper news., 1919-02-20


kxAaEs last days Of George Wash
RX lngton, first president of
the United States, was writ
n ten by Tobias Lear, who
C-AJ was his private secretary
and intimate companion for many
years. This account, which was the
only one written, has been preserved.
and as 1t has been garbled and dis
torted in the biographies Of Washing
ton 1t is herewith presented as mat
ter Of historical reference.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
ment Of 1t, to which l was an eyewit.
| ness.
ION Thursday, December IL, 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
In the evening. He franked the let
tiers, but said the weather was too bad
to send servant to the Office. OBJ
served to him that 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 ID. 1900. A heavy
fall Of snow took place on Friday.
which prevented the general from rid
Ing out ms usual. He had taken cold,
undoubtedly, from being so much ex-
posed the day before, and complained
Of sore throat. He, however, went
out In the afternoon into the ground
between the house and river to mark
some trees which were to be cut down
for the improvement of the spot. He
had a hoarseness, which increased In
the evening. but he made light of it.
Became III In Night.
Saturday, December IA, 1893, 2 &c
n. m. Between two and three O'Clock
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 would
have got up to call a servant, but hi
would not permit her, lest she should
take a cold. AS soon as the day sap
peared the woman (Caroline) went into
the room to make a fire, and Mrs
Washington sent her Immediately Il
call me. l got up. put on my clothes
as quickly as possible and went to hi
chamber. Mrs. Washington was thel
up, and related so me his being i'll, a
before stated. l found the genera
breathing with difficulty, and hardl.
able to utter word intelligibly. II
desired Mr.. Rawllns Zone of the over
seers) might be sent for to bleed hin
before the doctor could arrive. Il dis
patched servant Immediately 70
Rawlins and another for Doctor Grail
and returned again to the general
chamber.
"A mixture of molasses, vinegar an
q butter was prepared to try its effect
!. on the throat, but he could not swa
a low a drop. Rawlins came In 500
4 after sunrise and prepared to blee
= him. When the arm was ready til
4 general, observing that Rawllns OF
peared to be agitated. said, as we
as he could speak, Don't be afraid
e And when the incision was made h
r observed, The orlfice is not larg
enough. However, the blood ran pre-
ty freely. Mrs. Washington, not know
!. ing whether bleeding was proper {
d not In the generals situation, begge
that much might not be taken frol
him, lest 1t should be injurious, an
r desired me to stop 1t; but when wa
about to unite the string the generI