The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-07-10

/ Mrs. Frank w. stearns, close friend
Of the family and a White House
guest with her husband. The presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge who were said
to have borne up bravely, went at
once to their rooms and at midnight
the White House was entirely dark
ened. John, the elder son, who had
been spared the ordeal of the last
hours at the bedside of the brother
who had been a constant companion,
was in his room when his parents re-
turned and remained upstairs.
Those who watched the struggle of
the sixteen-year- lad against the
terrific odds agreed that. only forth
tude of will and character, unusual at
any age, had kept him alive so long.
The trifing abrasion that had resulted
from the blister on Monday was SO
little thought of that he appeared
that night with his father at the pub
lie budget meeting of government
officials where he saw much to smile
and jest about with his elder brother.
Operations Fail To Aid.
BY Wednesday, however, the on
slaught of the infection had com
menced, and on Saturday, in a plain
army ambulance, with his mother at
his side, Calvin Jr., was FASTENED to
Walter Reed hospital, on the outside
of Washington, for an operation which
it was hoped might reduce to new
focus the bacteria which were building
in the tissues of his leg. For the re-
ception of the patient and also to pro-
\ vide temporary quarters for the presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge, that they
might remain constantly near him, the
entire upper wing of the hospital was
cleared The operation was performed
with gas anesthesia and was success
full in that it established a drain for
accommodating septic matter. Although
the youth showed slight improve
ment after it, he was said by his
physicians to have really been sus-
tanned in his repeated rallying from
an almost hopeless progress of the
i disease by his determination to live
and his refusal to yield to pain. IN
tense fever and failing heart marked
the course of his struggle.
1t was shortly after 900 p. m. yes
terday that the collapse came and he
lapsed out Of consciousness. At that
time military guard had been thrown
around the quarters assigned for the
care of the boy and through this the
only meager news obtained was that
brought out at i.ifrequent intervals
by E. T. Clark, the presidents per-
sonal secretary. With oxygen and re-
storatives, his attendants were holding
some glow CT the spark of life in
his wasted frame, but no hope. At
$500 o'clock it was announced that he
was dying, but it was not until two
hours and half later that the physi-
clans pronounced the end.
Boys Courage Remarkable.
The boys courage met the test many
times when it was required that he
submit to pain in the preparation of
blood tests, the use of hypodermic, and
4 finally the stomach washing as a last
resort to make the taking of nourish-
ment possible when the accumulation
of gas began. 1t was only necessary,
1t was said, to tell him when and
where the hurt would come and it
would be suffered without complaint
or protest
Messages of sympathy were received
by the president and Mrs. Coolidge
today from persons of all lands and
all walks of life. The tragic death of
their son had touched the heart not
only of friends, but of many others
who wished to convey their sympathy
and condolences.
While the funeral arrangements had
not been completed early today, it was
said that private service probably
would be held at the White House
tomorrow afternoon. It was indicated,
however, that members Of the cabinet
and probably other officials would at
/ tend. The place of burial has not been
announced. It was said the presidents
wishes might lead TO decision to
hold the interment at Plymouth, YER
mont, his old home and the burial
place of his mother.
Crepe on White House.
Calvin Coolidge, Jr., according to
White House attaches, is the first son
4 of a president to die while his father
held that Office since Tad Lincoln died
in his fathers arms in the White
! House near the close of the Civil
War. So far as they recall, there
has been no instance Of a presidents
daughter dying during his occupancy
| of the White House.
The death of the son of President
Coolidge marks the third successive
administration in which the family
occupying the White House has been
visited either by death or critical i'll
ness, The first wife Of the former
President Wilson died in the White
House and later Mr.. Wilson suffered
there the breakdown which left him
an invalid until his recent death.
Services for President Harding were
held in the White House after his
sudden death in San, Francisco, and
previously Mrs. Harding had suffered