The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18

NEW YoBK, April 17.--Dr. Barker
seemed quite overcome as he stood on
the steps Of Mr. Conkliug's house this
afternoon and told the reporters OF the
impending dissolution Of his patient.
His voice was husky with emotion and
his eyes were suilused with tears. lie
made no effort 10 conceal the fact that
death was ready at any moment TO set It's
seal upon the brow Of tho noble victim
who had struggled 80 long when u weaker
nature would have succumbcd. The sad
news Of impending dissolution spread
rapidly in the Hoffman house and was
licked of by wire TO q sorroving country.
There was hush in the corridors Of the
hotels near by and pervadlng oppressive
quiet and solemnity. All voices are sub
ducd. The friends who came TO make a
last call went away with sorrowiul faces.
Tho doctors have based their. hopes ex-
clusively on tho paticufs splendid
physique. Putting this magnificent
physique to severe test during the brE
zard Of March ~ Is said o be the yer,
cause Of Mr. Conkling's illness. Mr.
Conkling delighted in tellisg the story o
his struggle through the snow ON tha
evening, when he walked from his Office
in Wall street, 10 his home, ON Twenty
fourth street For two weeks after
his heroic deed hc continued 10 work,
and at last ON March 30 he had TO sue
cumb. On April he called In DR..
Agnew aud on the 9th, DIR. Sands, after
consultation determined 10 perform one oi
the most dolicaigopcmtions known 10 sur.
gical science. Physical diagnosis proved
that pus lay inside the skull back OF the
ear. After the operation n rather awkward
trcfine was dispensed with In order "a
give vent 10 the pus, whirh doubtlcSly
bore on the brain, DIR. Sands made lateral
incision in the scalp aud then with sharIi
chiscl placed ON the exposed nIaStoid bone
with one sharp stroke of mlllct the chiscl
was sent right through the bone. Pus
freely flowed and the fever WIS reduced.
Temporary relief followed.
All the afternoon the sick statesman lay
motionlcss In his bed IN the Hoffman
house annex. lie occasionally moved his
arms, which were under the bed covering.
| lie lay on his right sido IN 0rlcr that the
wound on the left side Of his head might
not get irritatcd. This cut, II will be- un.
| dcrstood, is the one DR. Sands made when
he operated In his cndeavor 10 save the cx.
senator's life.
At 6:l0 O'Clock pm. I'd Stokes came oui
Of the house and faid that VIZ. Conklinl
was sinking very rFpidly. Ills death wa
merely n question Of timc.
Large crowds Of people congrcgatcd IN
| the street through the evening owing "a
the bulletins announcing that the end was
near. Prominent men were seen In the
corridors Of the Hoffman house discussing
| the abilities OF the dying senator aud in
/ quiring tho latest newa Every Ono was
anxious TO got information and yet feared
that at any moment Il would he learned
that the end had come A sorrowin
group surrounded the sick mans bed.
Mn Conkling, whose yidls have been
beyond the endurance oi many strong
or women, and who hnd watched hel
husband well on In the early morning, wa
nj his side looking worn AMI dcspOndont
His nephews, Judge Alfred Coke and AZ
dorman Conkling. and his brother, Col.
Fred A. Conkling aud Mn Oakum, wer,
/ hpTfoNlnK oUHcFNtfh " tnt llNAhHk.aWs9 W
the great senator. Tho ehonglume that ~
his delirinm required the sloutest porter'
Of the Hoffman house 10 bold him even
when wasted by disease, nov lay low an'
almost liieleEs In the hansk oi tho grca
destroyer. The breathing oi those power
ful lungs, whose musical but spnoroul
sounds reycrbcmtcd through the halls oI
Congress was weak and dihiculi
Dr. IIartly came out shortly after
o'clock and said the senator was very low
but he would talk no further Col. Fred
crick A. Conkling left ats5 o'clock Pn'
Eve minutes later young Alderman Conk
ling, the formers son, came out and IN
apircd little hope by saying tho senate
might live twelve houn bngur.
NEw YoRK, April 49, Conkling died a
20j o'clock.