Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1888-04-20
MIR. CONKL1NG DEAD.
The Ex-senator Quietly Passes Away
at 1850 q. m. Surrounded by
Family and Friends.
Mrs. Conkling and Her Daughter,
Mrs. Oakum, Frustrated With
Grief at Their Loss.
The Remains to be Inferred at Utica.
N. Y.-Scenes in the Death
Chamber.

n. Y.-Scenes in the Death
Chamber.
Biographical Sketch
New YORK, April 17.-Dr. Anderton
says Mr.. Conkling spent quiet night. He
took three or four ounces OF nourishment.
At 1926 O'clock DR.. Barker called on Mr..
Conkling and remained until 4:4O. Upon
coming out he said: "Mr. Conkling since
1890 has developed eadema of the lungs,
which is the settling of blood in the base of
the lungs, and he will probably die before
morning." At 5:20 DR.. Anderton said that
Mr.. Conkling was fast sinking away. He
did not think the ex-senator would last
longer than two house. Mr.. Conkling is
now unconscious and the end will prob
ably come from heart failure. Mrs.
Conkiing and Mrs. Oakland are with him.
At 8:O7 p. m. Col. Fred Conkling came out
of the hotel and he said positively that Mr..
Conklmg was not dead but that he could
not live twelve hours. This is the first Of
fetal announcement since the rumor IF his
death was tloated out through the porter
i'll attendance ON Mr.. Conkling.
HOPE ABANDONED.
DIR. Barker seemed quite overcome as he
stood on the steps Of Conkling's house this
afternoon and told the reporters Of the inn
pending danger f;his patient. There was
ahush in the corridors of the hotels near
by and pervading oppressive quiet and
solemnity. All voices were subdued. The
friends who came to make last call went
away with sorrowful faces. The doctors
have based their hopes exclusively on the
patients splendid physique. Putting this
magnificent physique to a severe test dur
ing the blizzard of March 18th is said to be
the very cause Of Mr.. Conkling's illness.
Mr.. Conkling delighted in telling the story
of his struggle through the snow on that
evening. A sorrowful group surrounds the
sick mans bed Mrs. Conkling, whose
vigils have been beyond the endurance of
many stronger women, was at his side
looking worn and despondent. His
nepheNs, Judge Alfred G. Coke, and Alder
man Conkling, and his brother, Col. Fred
erick A. Conkling, and Mrs. Oakum were
sorrowful observers. Col. Frederick A.
Conkling left at S:45 and five minutes later
young Alderman Conkling, the formers
son, came out and inspired a little hope by
saying the senator would live several hours
longer.
RAPIDLY FAILING.
DIR. Barker called at 9:15 and remained
until 9:S5. He said: "Mr. Conkling is slowly
sinking, but may linger for hours yet. He
is unconscious and suffering no pain. So
the vital power of some men is greater
than others there is no telling how long he
may llnger."
NEARING THE END.
DR.. Barker called at 1850 O'clock and re-
mained until II O'clock. He said that Mr..
Conkling was rapidly failing. His ex-
tremities were becoming cold. His legs
were quite cold nearly all the way up. He
was pulseless. His respiration is very
quick. He did not think Mr.. Conkling
could live much longer. In fact he did
think he would live for two hours. He
! was suffering from general failure of the
nervous system.
New YORK, April 18.-News received
from the sick room at AS states that Mr..
Conkling still continues to sink. His ply
sicians now give him one hour to live.
DEAD.
Mr.. COnkling died at 1:5O a. m. At the
bedside of the dying man were Mrs. Gonk-
ling, Judge Coke, DR.. Anderton and Mrs.
Oakum. Mr.. Conkling passed away with
out moving limb. He looked as though
peacefully sleeping. There were num-
Der Of persons outside on the street wait
ing to catch the report. Within doors
there were between forty and fifty persons
also waiting to hear the worst. They were
composed chiefly of representatives of the
press and friends of the dead senator.
DEATH CHAMBER SCENES.
Mrs. Conkling and her daughter both
bore up bravely, but the elder lady was
almost Frustrated. Mrs. Oakum sup
ported her mother. The ashen palor
deepened upon the emaciated face and Mr.,
Conkling gasped three or four times and
passed away in death. The lines about
his mouth and on his face were slightly
drawn. He was much emaciated, but till
the end his face seemed natural. Imme-
diately after the death Judge Coke and DR..
Anderton left the house. Judge Coke said
that in death Mr.. Conklings mouth was
I slightly open as though he had died with a
gasp. The nurse gently pressed the
mouth shut. Mrs. Conkling is alone with