Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-11
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
HEROIC STRUGGLE AGAINST
RELENTLESS FATE.
The Condition Of the Distinguished Patient Yesterday
Lingering Between Life and Dsah-His
Intense Sufsrings-A Slight Change
for the Better.

NEW YORK, April lO.-k $3.50 O'Clock
this morning Dr., Fordyee Barker said Mr..
Coukling's condition was much improved
this morning and that the operation that
had been performed seemed to have accom-
plished all that was expected. His tenn
perature had fallen 10 SO and his pulse to
80. He slept three hours during the night.
Mr.. Conkling's illness dates from the
eventful day Of the big blizzard, on March
70 On that Monday evening he started
to walk to the Hoffman House from his
Wall street office. He set out after six
O'Clock, and at time when the snow was
drifting very deep in some places and
when pedestrisrism was well nigh impos-
sible. Although he attended to business
for several days after this trying adventure
his friends remarked that he not appear as
bright as usual, aud he complained of
pains in his head aud ear. These pains
became acute and finally unbearable. He
summoned DR.. Agnew on Friday, March
30. DR.. Agnew, after an examination, de-
cided that an abcess had formed within the
ear. Despite all means used to alleviate
the pain, Mr. Conkling rapidly grew worse
and OH Thursday last be was delirious.
Soon after IL o clock last night it became
noised about the hotels that Dr. Sands said
that the chances were Mr.. Conkling prob
ably couldn't live more than 4S hours, I'M
less some unlocked for and almost unhoped
for change should occur for the better. The
one chance in his favor was the perfect
physical condition and the wonderful con-
stitution of the man; but that chance was
a slight one at best aud yet the only one on
which the hopes of recovery could he based.
The Senator was informed Of the exact pos
sibilities in his case and is said to have ac-
cepted the decision most philosophically
and with the remark that he would take
every advantage of that chance. His phys
icians expressed to his friends the fear that
the pain would be 80 intense that the Sen
ator might lose courage. Should that hsp'
pen they say every hope Of his recovery
would be gone.
At $50 a IN. Judge Alfred c. Coke, Of
Utica, nephew of the ex-senator, visited
the patient and within ten minutes he sp-
peartd again at the door. He said that
only DIR. Anderton and the nurse were in
the patients room.
'Mr. Conkling passed restless night"
said Mr.. Coke, "but he is considered TO be
some better He was awake when / was
in the room, but did not speak to me-"
DR.. Barker would make no statement
this morning as TO Mr.. Conkling's chances
of recovary.
Ed Stokes called at the sick room shortly
after 10 o'clock this morning. He said
that Mr. ConkliHg was conscious and lying
in bed. He refused to take medicine from
any person but Mr.. Stokes. Among the
other callers in the early morning were ex-
Judge Horace Russell, Ex-Governor Hoadly
and Col. Ed. Gehhart.
At 11:30 q. nl. Col. Frederick A. Conk
ling, brother of the Senator, came out Of
the house leaning heavily on the arm of his
son. He was almost too much affected to
speak, and in answer to question as to
his brothers condition, he said: SsVery
low, very low" When asked if there was
any hope Of his recovery, he replied, 81
fear not" At noon it was stated that
Mr.. Conkling had frequently arisen
from his bed and paced his room
in o state of delirium, until so
exhausted that he was compelled TO return
to his couch. During these periodical at
tacks, Mrs. Conkling remained in the room
with her husband. For over an hour MIS-.
Conkling has kept the door of her room
locked and refuses to see or speak with
anybody. Mrs. Conkling also refuses to
receive letters, number of which remain
outside the door unopened.
DR.. Barker had consultation with DR..
SANDS, between Sis and 8, at Mr.. Conk-
ling's house. The PATIENTS condition is
greatly improved and there is no danger
of his death tonight. The physicians cay
that if Mr.. Conkling can be kept alive for
three days be will recover. A reporter
asked Dr. Barker the blunt question:
"Can Mr. Conkling rec ,ver?" The doctor
cautiously replied: 1T is treacherous
disease and cannot speak for the future.
All the changes that have taken place to-
day are in the patients favor. But very
little pus has been discharged since the
operation was performed" At this time
800 Mr.. Conkliug is resting quietly.
Drs. Barker and Sands will not return to-
night.
IA. M.-The condition of Mr.. Conk-
ling is unchanged.