Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-15

In the evening, Wnen the papers were Drought
from the post Office he sat with Mrs. Washing
ton and his secretary reading them until Mrs.
Washington retired about o'clock
When he retired he seemed very cheerful and
when Mr. Lear suggested that he take something
for his cold he replied: mo, you know never
take anything for a cold. Let it go as it came"
Mrs. Washington, as it would seem, was not
quite so optimistic over her husbands condition
at this time as he appears to have been and
had become alarmed at not hearing the accuS-
toned sound of the library door as it closed for
the night and which was the signal for rest in
the well regulated mansion. She arose again
and continued sitting up, in much anxiety and
suspense, until at length, we are told, the well
known step was heard on the stair, and upon
the generals entering his chamber Mrs. Wash
ington kindly chided him for remaining up so
late, knowing himself to be unwell; to which
Washington made this reply: 81 came as soon
as my business accomplished. You well
know that through long life, it has been my
UNMARRIED rule never to put off till the morrow
the duties which should be performed today"
His adopted son and Mrs .Washington's own
grandson, George Washington Pare, Gusts, who
built the Arlington Mansion, WIN resided there
for so many years and who is buried there in
the cemetery with his wife, says:
Having first covered up the fire with care
the man of mighty labors at last sought repose,
but it came not as it had long been wont to do,
to comfort and restore, after the many and
earnest occupations of the well spent day The
-
night was spent in feverish restlessness and
pain Tired natures sweet reStorer, balmy
Sleep was destined more to visit his couch:
yet the manly sufferer uttered no complaint"
A FTER the spirit had fled signed statement
was made by his secretary Mr.. Lear and
DR.. Craik giving the details surrounding his last
illness, and the following is largely taken from
this report
n q
Ing December ID, he aWOke Mrs. Washington
and told her he very unweI and that he
had had chill He then breathed with consid-
cradle difficulty and could scarcely speak above
whisper. Mrs. Washington wanted to call
servant. but the general would not permit her,
for fear that she herself might take cold in
doing so.
However, as soon as it was daylight servant
sent for Mr.. Rawlings, one of the overseers
on the place, to bleed him, practice then gen.
orally followed in illness of this kind Another
servant was dispatched for DR.. James Craik in
"Alexan-'ria and in the meantime a mixture Of
molaSseS, vinegar and bitterS was prepared by
those around him, but he was unable to swallow
When Rawlings arrived preparations were
soon made for the bleeding and Washington's
arm was barred for the purpose, as well as his
throat would permit Observing Rawlings
nervousness, Washington said to him, Don't be
afraid" and even insisted upon making the in
Cision larger. Mrs Washington, not knowing
whether bleeding was proper, desired that it be
stopped, but the general insisted on continuing
the bleeding, as he said More more" How
ever, at Mrs. Washingtons urging, it was
stopped after about pint had been drawn.
His throat was bathed with sal volatile and a
piece of flannel dipped in the same was put
around his neck, but even this afforded no relief
Before DR.. Craik arrived at Mrs. Washing
tons request, DR.. GuStavus Brown of Port To-
bacco was also sent for Upon DR.. CraikS ar
rival. few minutes alter, he put blister Of
cantharides on the throat, took some more blood
from him, had gargle of vinegar and sage tea
prepared and ordered some vinegar and hot
water for him to inhale the steam from.
AS DR.. Brown was seemingly long in coming,
DR.. Craik had DR.. Elisha Cullen Dick sent for.
Again the general was bled, without, however,
any noticeable improvement
DR. Dick came about O'Clock and DR.. Brown
soon thereafter. After consultation he was
bled again The blood came very slowly was
thick and did not produce any symptc ms of
fairting.
About four thirty, at his request Mrs WASH
ington was called to his bedside when he re-
quested her to go down into his room and take
from his desk two wills which she would find
there. Bring them to me-" he said And
when they were brought he continued: These
are my wil1s-preserve this one and burn the
other: which was Immediately done.
For all that done for him he expressed
gratitude and to those administering to his
wants frequently said: IT am afraid 1 shau
fatigue you too much"
A BOUT o'clock DR. Craik came again into
the room and, upon going to the bedside,
the general said to him: Doctor, die hard
but i am not afraid to 60 I believed from the
first attack that 1 should not survive it, NV
breath cannot last long"
The doctor pressed his hand but could not
utter word. He retired from the bedside and