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NEW YORK TIMES
July 23, 1885

DEATH COMING VERY NEAR. A DAY OF ANXIOUS WATCHING BY GENERAL GRANT'S FAMILY.

This has been a day of weary anxiety for the family of General Grant. During the evening hours he seemed to be sinking and his feebleness became alarming. For more than three hours those at the cottage thought that he was dying. Prayers were said for him. The the immediate crisis passed and he slept. The doctors at midnight were still apprehensive that morning would not find him alive. All the family remained up, expecting the end at any time. The General was barely kept alive.

The day began hopelessly. Nothing brought relief from the General's weariness and languor. An anxious group sat with him in the parlor from midnight to daylight, fanning him, changing his position in the chair, smoothing his pillows - watching for his slightest want. The electric burners on the porch filled the room with a soft glow, in which all the figures could plainly be seen. The General, with his black cap and a gown of white, leaned back among the pillows. Often he let his head droop forward; then he could be seen, with loving arms around him, shifting his body to ease the wracking pain. Mrs. Grant was the figure always near him, cooling the air for him with her fan, bending tenderly at every sign that he was in need of attention, anticipating his wants and directing their relief.

At about 2 o'clock the General reached for his writing pad. The lamp glared full on his face. The eyes were lowered, the head bent forward, the expression tranquil. No one could picture it as a man dying. He wrote for five minutes. The writing was addressed to Dr. Douglas, to whom he handed it. Dr. Douglas passed it over, without stopping to read it, to Colonel Grant, who read it and put it in his pocket without a word. Henry moved the General back among his pillows. In an instant he fell to one side. Henry caught him. The General's throat was bothering him and he was plainly exhausted. Resort was again given to the hypodermic of brandy. Mrs. Grant and Colonel Fred went to their rooms.

The General arose this morning at 5 o'clock but lay still for two or three hours. his red shawl was thrown over his shoulders to protect him from the morning air. Members of the family came in softly. The General glanced at the arrivals with his eyes but partly opened. Midday brought not special change. The General kept his eyes closed, but not in sleep. He was simply listless and his position in the chair was passive. His breathing was like gasping and his lower jaw had fallen. The darkened room veiled his pallor, but the sight was sad. It affected the ladies to tears. The General heard them sobbing and he reached out for his pad. With difficulty he wrote the date. The pencil lay loose in his fingers, he could not grasp it. Dr. Douglas bent over. He could catch only an occasional word. The General wanted no one to worry for him - that was his message.

Colonel Grant and Harrison were with the General. Mrs. Grant had seen him and sat near him whenever her emotions permitted. She was anxious to do what she could. The General tried to take food, but the effort brought on severe hiccoughing. The General opened wide his eyes several times and looked calmly about him. Once when he heard someone crying near him he said quite distinctly, "I don't want anybody to feel distressed on my account." Family hope clutched at these straws. A special train at 3 o'clock brought U.S. Grant, Jr., and his wife. Mr. Grant was much distressed at the change in the General since last week, and the family were saddened by his grief. Dr. Shrady also arrived and said the change in the General's appearance was astonishing. It was worse than he expected and he was too weak to hold his head erect.

At about 6 o'clock hypodermics of brandy were given. The symptoms verged on the alarming. The General sat with his head sunk in pillows, yet bending forward, his eyes closed, yet struggling to get open, as the movements of his lids showed, his arms and hands limp. His pulse was 120. His respiration was 40, coming in quick, short gasps. "Would you like to lie down, father?" asked Colonel Fred Grant, who noticed his fathers restlessness. The General nodded and at that moment tried to rise unassisted. But the effort was too great and he sank back into his chair. The Colonel supported him to the bed where he was carefully lowered to a reclining position and partly on his face. One of the physicians then remarked that the General had left his chair for the last time.

The family were about him. They restrained their anxiety lest the sufferer might be annoyed. The doctors decided to pursue the stimulating treatment; the General did not drugs, he was in no pain. Not a sound was heard in the room except the harsh, quickie gasping of the pillowed sufferer. All felt that he was sinking and there was no hope of rallying. The General was motionless as though only his lungs lived. Dr. Sands felt he could be no use and went out to the porch, avoiding the gaze of the family.

At 8 o'clock the General seemed to be sinking. From being high and faint, the pulse became elusive. The General had closed his eyes. Effort to keep them open was beyond his power. Dr. Douglas spoke to him to test his faculties and the General moved his head slightly in response. Consciousness still remained. It was a question now how long the mind would remain responsive. He could not whisper, he was too weak to open his eyes, his limb were powerless, he was gasping fast, his pulse was fluttering, he could do no act of will beyond a slight movement of the head, which sank almost instantly back to the pillows. The air of the room was oppressive.

The fans of the ladies cooled the General. All were fearful, yet self-contained. There was a flutter of the General's eyelids. They opened and the General looked quietly around him. There was no sobbing to sadden him, all was peaceful and quiet. He returned their glances with reviving love and he dropped gently asleep as tender faces looked down upon him. The General slept for an hour. His power of whispering came back when he awoke and he answered a few questions. He lay on his right side. His left hip pained him from an old injury and he rubbed it frequently. At 11 o'clock he was awake and conscious, but his pulse was very weak. His hands, arms and chest were quite cold and hot packs were placed against his feet, breast and stomach. July 23 - 1 a.m. - The General remains in the same condition. Pulse and respiration are unchanged, and there is a feeling he may tide over until 4 a.m. Hypodermics of brandy are being used.

 

 

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