The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1944-06-15

Last Words Full of Regard for 9th
ers. The Long Struggle Against
Disease Only Ended When Vitality
was Thoroughly Exhausted Con-
seriousness was Preserved Nearly TO
the Last, When All Other Faculties
were Dead. His Burial Place New
York Because the People of that City
Befriended him in Need, said Gen
eral Grant"
The news story, ON the first page,
was headed Mount McGreagor, July
%, and said, in part: "The general
did not speak even in a whisper af-
ter o'clock, this morning. Before
that it had been little more than an
aspiration at any time of the night,
and then only answers to inquiries.
1t was about o'clock when the rat
Ting in the throat began. 1t was
soon evident that the general was
too far gone to be aided by stimu
lantS. Then came the waiting for
death. The family had all been near
the general through the night 1t
was not kept from them that he was
beyond saving. They moved quietly
about the sick room and out on the
porch. The rays of the morning sun
fell across the cottage porch upon a
family waiting only for death. The
outer air, gently moving, swayed the
curtains at an east window. Into
the crevice crept a white ray from
the sun. It reached across the room
like rod and lighted a picture of
Lincoln over the deathbed. The sun
did not touch the companion pic
ture which was of the general. The
general made no motion. Only the
fluttering throat, white as his sick
robe, showed that life remained. The
face was one of peace. There was
no trace of present suffering The
moments passed in silence. Mrs.
Grant still held the generals hand.
The colonel still stroked his brow.
"The light on the portrait of Lin
coin was slowly sinking. Presently
the general opened his eyes ard
glanced about him, looking into the
faces of all. The glance fingered IS
it met the tender gaze of his COM
panion. A startled, wavering mo-
ton of the throat, few quiet gasps,
a sigh and the appearance of d2op-
ping into gentle sleep followed. The
eyes of affection were still upon
him. He lay without motion At
that instant the window curtain
swayed back in place, shutting cut
the sunbeam.
cat last said Or. Shrady, in
whisper.
1t is all over sighed DR.. Doug
las"
The story covered seven full col
ums, constituting the entire first
page of the paper. Much of the is
sue was made up of matter referring
to General Grant, one whole page
being devoted to editorial comment.
With the exception of Secretary
Endicott, all the members of Presi-
dent Cleveland's cabinet were pres
ent at meeting, at which the Presi
dent announced the death of Gen
eral Grant. The President had been
officially notified of the death by
Col Fred Grant, and issued procla-
nation, which said, in part: "The
entire country has witnessed with
deep emotion his prolonged and
patient struggle with painful dis
ease. The destined end has come at
last and his spirit has returned to
the Creator who sent it forth. The
great heart of the nation that fol-
lowed him when living with love
and pride bows in sorrow above him
dead, tenderly mindful of his vir-
tues, his great patriotic services, and
of the loss occasioned by his death. 7"
The Executive Mansion and the
Several departments at Washington
were draped in mourning for peri
cd of 30 days.
President Cleveland instructed
Adjt. General Drum to go to New
York to represent him and to con-
suit with Mrs. Grant relative to the
funeral of the ex-President.
The paper containing the details
of the death of General Grant was
kindly furnished us by Mr.. c. M.
Tritsch.
I, The death of General Grant, it
was stated, was due to a cancerous
affection of the tongue.
80 Years Ago.