Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-23
DEATH AT 6 A. Nj.
Continued from PAGE Qnel

spirits, but within an hour after
wards he began tos ink rapidly. At
lis O'Clock, Dr.. Battistini, emerging
from the Pontificial chamber into
the antc-roOm, told The Associated
Press correspondent the end was APP
proaching, that already his hands
and nose felt cold. He vii live only
three or four hours at the maxi
num- said the physician.
From that period on the Pope near
ed the end of his life. Breathing be-
came a tragic, agoniZing task, as the
supreme Pontiff. who had resisted the
severe lung and throat congestion.
was now finally too weak to over
come the overwhelming attack any
longer.
Dread Disease Wins
His eyes were half closed as he
lapsed into Inconsistencies, while
the terrible mastery which penu-
monia-had won over the Holy Faith
er's logged resistance, a resistance
which staggered the members of the
Pontficial household and made them
marvel at the Pope's nerve stamina,
now began its rapid, memorable ex-
tinction of his slender hold on life.
His heart rapidly weakened, and
at five O'Clock in the morning it was
certain that the end was matter of
moments. Accordingly. Cardinals
Gasparri. Sampcr and Pizzardo, and
all the Pontificial household were
notified that the end was rapidly ap-
preaching. Cardinal Gasparri enter
cd the bed chamber. wearing deep
burrows on the brow of his bowed
head and walking with short rapid
steps TO the bedside of the diving
Pontff. He had been there but nine
minutes before the Pope breathd
his last.
Cardinal Giorgi, Grang Penitentiary
attended the Pope throughout the
whole night saving first mass for His
Holiness shortly after midnight.
He was assisted by Monsignor Res
pishe. Project of Ceremonies. and by
Monsignori Tcston, Piermotto and
Magnament.
Wanted to Dress Self
Only half an hour before he died.
His Holiness tried to lift himself up
and wanted to dress himself but he
was SO weak he sank back onto his
pillow. His hands and feet already
were numb. and it was plainly seen
that deaths cold grip had begun its
purchasing grasp upon the Holy
Father 1t was at this mono mt that
it was decided to call all the pontiiical
family to his bedside. The royal
guards were sent out in due solemnity
to notify the papal secretary of state
Of the Pope's hopeless condition.
The correspondent was permitted to
remain during the entire sickness of
the. Pope in one of the adjoining ante
chambers, through which all the car
Ginals passing to and from His Holt
ness bedside could be seen. Looking
down the narrow passageway leading
from the ante chamber to the Popes
bed chamber. the Royal Guards, stand
ing at rigid attention, were observed
at the entrance to the sick room while
the cardinals passing to and from were
awaiting the impending announcement.
Crowd Wearies of Vigh
After midnight the crowd which
had waitff-many long hours around
the court yard diminished to only a
few monsignOri and attaches to the
pontifical court. The Vatican was now
enveloped in deep silence and forebod-
ing darkness with the ponderous dome
Of St Peters dominating the pervad-
ing gloom. None was allowed to enter
the Vatican and the spacious halls be-
came almost deserted. with only an oc-
casional guard quietly pacing the cor
ridors and staircases
Swiss guards were stationed at the
outer door to the pontifical apartment
on the top floor, and on the inside Of
the same door there were two Immense
Dapal gendarmes. Then at. the en-
trance of the large ante chamber OF
the near end of a short corridor, was
stationed corporal Of the Swiss
guard dressed in the ancient. quaint
Rapphelian garb. who permitted no
enc to pass unless he furnished the
proper credentials. Beyond this ante
chamber is the papal dining room and
one other small reception room, Just
at the entrance to the papal bed cham-
Der.
From midnight until O'Clock in the