Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-16
CONFLICTING REPORTS
GIVEN OUT ABOUT EX-SENATOR C0SK'
LING's CONDITION.
An Uuhvushls Night Spsnt-RsP'rsd in State
Of Coma Daring Part Of the Day-Dr,
Barksrs Statensut-A DiscOuraging
Telegram.

NEW YORK, April 15-Last night was
bad one for ex-senator Conkling He
slept but little, aud was much affected by
a bad cough that disturbed him every few
minutes. He is much prostrated by it,
ard this morning was weak and nervous.
It has been found necessary to engage an
assistant nurse for him. Mrs. Conkling.
who has been almost constantly at her
husbands bedside, retired this morning
to secure much needed rest. Mrs. Oak
man, the Senator's daughter, remained in
her fathers loom all night, and Is still
with him.
DR.. Barker said this morning that there
were no symptoms for worse in his pa
TENTS condition, except little bronchitis
developed during the night. Mr.. Conk-
ling's pulse was 80 and his temperature
98t. There still remains some twitchirg
of the muscles. He has not slept well.
There are no signs Of improvement. The
patient hss taken considerable nourish-
ment; about 25 ounces Of kumiss and
milk.
As the day wore on, Mr.. Conkling's
nervousness and the twitching Of the mus
cles became more pronounced. A state
of partial coma was the next development,
and he lost the power to resist the doctors
efforts to feed him and dress his wounds
Shortly after 80 this afternoon he sank
into a sleep, which was more state Of
stupor than sleep. Not for single mo-
ment was he rational this afternoon,
and his mind filled with recollections Of
great law suits aud political campaigns, in
which he has been a leading figure. Even
the physicians, whose whole attitude Is
most guarded and ciTcumspect, admitted
this afternoon that Mr.. Conkling was in
state of coma. From o'clock to 8, many
callers left their cards, but no word came
from the sick room other than that Mr.
Conklipg was still sleeping and was still
uncor scious.
Shortly after 8 o'clock when DR.. Barker
/ left the house, 81 am happy to inform
you," said he 10 the reporters, "thst Mr.
Conkling is no worse, but ehade better
than at this time last night. He has not
been in state Of coma or even stupor as
was reported. Early this evening he ex-
pressed desire for a mint julep and he
seemed to enjoy the drink immensely"
The patients temperature was at this
time SO 1.5 and his pulse had fallen to 30.
The opinion or the friends OF Mr.. Conk-
ling and the physicians continue TO differ:
DIR. Barker called at Sis p. m. He said
Mr.. Conklipg had lost nothing, and that
there was no change in his pulse or tenn.
perature since his last visit. He declared
the rumor that Conkling was in Q stupor
and unable to recognize anybody was
false. He had grasped the DOCTORS hand
with firmor grip than he cared to have.
DR.. Barker will not call sgsin until to-
morrow morning at $50. The Senator
took his nourishment we'll tonight. Not
withstanding this hopeful view the fol-
loving telegram was sent to-day
Hon. J. p Jones, Utica, N. J.:
Much weaker. Chances diminishing.
Very little hope.
GSicped.1 s. L. NJ. BARLOW.
At 1890 there WAS no change IN Mr..
Conkling's condition, according to the Ie-
ports which reached the street. An hour
before this Edward Stokes, proprietor OF the
Hoffman House, said: "Mr. Conkling is
failing rapidly. There is TO chance for
his recovery. don't think the end is far
distant"