New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-11
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CONKLING'S FIGHT FOR LIFE.
A CLEAN OF HOPE FROM THE DOCTORS.
SLEEP OBTAINED WITHOUT THE Use OF NARCOTICS
MANY CALLERS AND MEssAGEs OF SYN
PATTY - THE PATIENT DELIR-

10 Iuso rVoui ior nope that he may recover hardly
more. The doctors Will not discuss his chances Of
recovery, and that may fairly be regarded an
Indication that they regard the chances as against
him. Dr. Fordyce Barker finished what he said
would be his last visit to his patient last night
at little after p. m. Then he said that what
changes had taken place in his patients condition
had been in his favor. But then he would not
venture to express any opinion as to the prospect
| Of his ultimate recovery.
| III sympathy and good wishes could help him
IN his struggle for life with the odds seemingly
against him, Roscoe Conllling would speedily get
the better of the disease which opprcsses him.
Medical and surgical skill have done their best
fer him. For the rest he must trust to that
robust physique, strong will and abundant vitality
which have been source Of pride To him all his
| life and which led him so rashly TO plunge into
the snOwdrifts when the blizzard held possession
of the town. thereby bringing upon himself tho
complaint with which he is now doing such grim
battle. There is no Disgusting the fact that bis
life hangs Oh a thread. Ills physicians virtually
concede as much. What lends an element Of
tragedy to the struggle is the fact that Mr.
ConlSling is not wasted with disease he is still
strong, though most of the time delirium renders
| his struggle for life an unconscious one
SYMPATHY FROM MANY SOURCES.
From all quarters came sympathetic nquircs
Some were flashed over the wire from distant
places; Others were delivered in person. People
came TO the house with grave faces, and after q
moments conversation with the man at the door
went away looking still graver. Few were ad-
| mitted or sought admission to the sick room. AZ
the hotels, at the clubs and elsewhere where men
resort the morning papers and every edition Of
the afternoon papers were eagerly scanned for news
Of his condition They afforded bttlc ground for
nope, ana people fell back on that old source OF
consolation in all such cases, while there is life
| there is hope"
=, Mr. COnkling slept ltfully about three hours on
| Monday night after the operation had been per-
| formed which relieved his brain of the pressure
Of the pus from the absccss. Although he no
longer suffered the intense agony which he endured
before the surgeons relieved him, he still de-
hrous most Of the time in his waking moments,
and then his strong constitution asserted itself
and he would occasionally pace the floor and talk
incohercntly about some of the stirring incidents
OF his career. AT one time he imagined that hc
was delivering speech, and his voice could be
heard in the street
DR. Anderton and couple of professional nurses
spent the night in the sick room. Mrs. Conllling
occupied an adjoining room. She her husband
seldom, because it was feared that her presence
when he was deriOuS might excite him and there
by cause harm. Bur, naturally, she slept little.
Mrs. Conlkling's daughter Mrs. Oaliinan, and
bis nephew, Judge \. Q. Coke, also occupied apart
that might be needed. Every precautiOn was
taken to insure perfect quiet for the patient
that such slumber he succeeded in getting
might not be disturbed.
THOUGHT TO BE LITTLE BETTER
About Z 80 a. M DR.. Andcrton came out look.
ing extremely weary after his nights vigil, Mr..
Conxlng appears to be little better, he said
eaiutSnsy iS but he would say nothing REGARDING
called about o'clock and remained with hD
patient twenty minutes. When he left the house
he said that Mr.. COnllling was somewhat easier
and that his answers to questions co.
herent than on the previous day. The operation
had accomplished all that had been expected Of
t. He did not anticipate any speedy change in
Mr. Conking's condition. He found his pulls,
80 and his temperature o.
. Throughout the greater part Of the day Mr..
Conkllng was dcrious, sometimes he slumbercd
ftfully and again there were brief moments when
he was rational. In his delirium he secrlcd to be
haunted by the feeling that he ought to be at
work 1t was Characteristic of the man. lie was
able TO take some nOurishmcnt such eggs, coffee
and milk. Difficulty was sometimes experienced
in getting him to take his medicine.
COLONEL CONKLING VISITS HIS BROTHER
1t was rather singular that he seemed TO prefer
taking it from the hand Of Mr.. Stokes, OF the
Hoffman House rather than from any attendants.
Besides the doctors and nurses, Mrs. Conkling ex-
Judge Shipman and Mr. Stokes were the only peo-
pie who were admitted to the sick room. IL was
not deemed wise even TO permit his brother. Colonel
Conl<ing, to see him, though he called twice once
WI aeon and the second time with his daughter.
On the occasion Of his second visit he asked
about his brothers condition.
Very low, very low he replied with sad en-
phasiS the very
" Are there any chances Of his recovery?'
II fear not-I fear not,' replied Colonel Ccnk-
ling OeJecteuly WIN u mourDIul snake Ol tIc
MRS. GRANT AND HER SON CALL.
Callers were numerous. kilograms poured in
all day. There ringing of the door-belt
and the alert porter opened the door az
soon visitor appeared on the steps. Amtng
those who called to make inquiries were MIS- U.
s. Grant and Colonel Fred; Grant, John j. Knox.
and his son, Edward H. Hilton ey-Judge !Ioracs
Russell, Ex-Governor IIoadly, General Knapp.
Thomas c. Platt and a host OF others.
Dr Ra rxar llpIa aO1ln at
eft the house he said that there was no change
'ne way or the other in the patients condition:
asked, as he always is after a visit, .u
while there's life there's hope" he said. I'VE
him up Snd snen hGa Ge S asT tsT,s
iay 8 he may pull through" This was the first ex-
preston about the case which Dr. Barker had used
which might be remotely regarded as saDguine.
Visitors to the house brought varyIng reports
about Mr.. Conkng's condition as told TO thepls
At one time the rumor spread that ne was deas,
ain If 1t were true. Faithful DIR. Barker paid an
,ther visit at o'clock. He found Mr. Conkling
ielirous and pacing the floor excitedly.
DR. BARKER MUCH MoRE HOPEFUL.
Dr. Barker and DIR. Sands called at s:l5 lass
light. Dr. Sands left at o'clock. He would say
,othing about Mr. ConkIIng's condition. but re-
erred every body to DR.. Barker. DR.. Barker cams
,ut five minutes later. His courtly features re.
axed into smile when he greeted the reporters.
lis manner indicated that he brought good news
rom tho sck room. At no time since Mr.. Conk-
ing's condition had Dr. Barker looked so cheerful
n answer to the queries that were showered upon
i'm DIR. Barker said:
Mr. Conng had the best sleep that he has enjoyed
ince a week to-day. He had in fact two or three
sps one Of 45 minutes Duration He much refreshed
It. His mind clearer and stronger than has been
DR. week. He talked more nationally and asked
ltelIgen questions than he has done for days lie
ecognzed me and talked to So also did be recognize
rs. Conkllng aud talk with her.
DR.. Anderon has been out by constant watching
nd have had to relieve him and put DR.. Hartley In his
lace When 1 introduced him 10 Mr.. Conkling, Mr..
onklng looked at him keenly and greeted him with
hake Of the hand His mind evidently clear then.
here have apparently been sgns OF further internal