COeekly gfeemaa American
VOL.13 DECEMBER 23, 1910 NO. 24
DeatK of WasKingt on
Napoleon Bonaparte said: "Posterity
will ,alk of Washington with reverence,
as the founder of a great empire when
my name shall be lost in the vortex of
revolution."
Like so many other of the prophecies
; of the great Napoleon, it is becoming
; more apparent every day of its truth,
and on this date, December 14, 111 years
ago, Washington died at Mount Vernon
J at the age of 68, after an illness of only
: 24 hours.
The month of December, 1799, found
Washington in the employment of excel
lent health. His nephew, Major Lewis,
writing of him as he appeared to himself
and a friend at that time says: . "The
cletr and healthy flush on his cheek and
his aprighily manner brought the remark
fiom both of us, that we ha-d never seen
the general look so wll."
On Thursday. December 12, the general
rode out to his farms about 10 o'clock,
and did not return home until half pas.
o. !-oon after he went out the weather
became very bad, rain, hail, snow fall
ing alternately, with a cold wind. In
the evening he showed evidence of hav
ing taken a cold and complained of a sore
throat. He went out the following day,
however, to mark some trees. Upon his
retiring it was noticed that he had grown
quite hoarse. Between 2 and 3 o'clock
on Saturday morning of the fatal day,
he awoke Mrs. Washington and told her
that he was very unwell, and had had a
chill. She observed that he could scarce
ly speak, and, breathed with difficulty.
He refused to have the hou?ehold aroused
until morning, when Dr. Craik was sent
for, who was very much alarmed at the
general's condition, and advised a con
sultation with several other neighboring
physicians.
They administered to him, but the
medicine seemed to take no effect. To
the respectful and affectionate inquiries
of an old family servant, as she smooth
ed down his pillow, how hs felt, he an
swered, "I am very ill." To Mrs. Wash
ington he said: "Go to my desk, and in
a private drawer you will find two
papers bring them to me"' They were
brought. Upon looking at them he ob
served: These are my wills preserve
this one and burn the other;" which
was accordingly done.
He grew gradually worse. About 5
(Continued on page 8.)