Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-31
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
The Victim of Serious Accident Re-
sultiDg from Exposure to the Sun
and Heat at the Unwilling OF
the Mazzini Monument

New YORK, May 30.-The Erening Post
furnishes the following account OF the acct
dent yesterday to Mr.. William Cullen Bry-
ant: The exercises IN Central park, yester-
day afternoon, Oh the occasion of the unVeil-
ing Of the bust of Mazzini, occupied between
one and two hours of part of the day when
the least air was stirring, and the sun gave
the most intense heat. During a good deal
of that time Mr.. Bryant was 10 his place on
the speakers stand, with his head uncovered,
and suffering Ike many a younger man in
the assembly from the exposure, although
making no complaint At the close of the
open air exercises he was invited by General
James u. Wilson to his house Oh East Seven
ty-fourth street, TO rest after the exertions of
the afternoon, and to partake of some refresh
ments. Arrived at their destination, General
Wilson ran ahead up the steps to open the
front door for his guest, who followed at
slower pace, induced by fatigue. On the
platform of the steps Mr.. Bryant suddenly
seemed to have lest consciousness, and
in the act of raising one foot to enter the YES
thule, fell backward on a broad stone,
striking his head with some violence He
was instantly lifted up and carried into the
house, where he was laid on a sofa, dis
patch being sent to his family physician. AS
soon as it was thought prudent he was re-
moved IN carriage to his own house, No.
"a West Sixteenth street. DIR. Gray, his
physician, came as quickly as possible, made
an examination, and, after hearing an ac-
count of the accident, expressed great sur
prise at the absence OF any bruise or cut on
the patients head. He was of the opinion
that Mr.. Bryants swoon was of kind known
to the medical profession as ''syncope,"
caused by dlmlnution or interruption of the
motion of the heart and of respiration, ac-
companied with suspension of the action of
the brain and temporary loss of sensation,
motion and other faculties. 1t is thought
that more severe injury than that which
actually befell him was averted possibly by
the thickness and softness of his felt hat
which saved his head from much of the
force of the blow. Dr. Carnochan was called
into consultation by DIR. Gray on the surgical
aspects of the case, and their joint conclusion
be feared, though what other internal disor-
der may have been caused by the fall 1t was
impossible at that time to judge, since Mr..
Bryant resisted every effort to examine him
by physical contact. During the night he
was restless and in only partly conscious
state, not appearing to recognize the persons
about him, but evidently having plenty of
will power and some physical strength at his
command. His friend, Mr.. J. A. Graham,
who remained at his side as watcher, attempt
ed once or twice to feel his pulse, but at each
attempt he would draw his wrist away and
finally, with an impetuous gesture, threw
Mr.. Graham's hand entirely from him.
2p.m.-Dr. Gray says Mr.. Bryant is suf
fering from conclusion of the brain. He
thinks he will recover, but is still anxious.
Mr.. Bryant has taken no sustenance since the
accident; answers no questions addressed to
him; but his pulse is BETTER and there is a
fair chance of improvement.