The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-16
CONFLICTING REPORTS
Concerning the Condition Of
Ex-senator conkIing.
VARIOUS STATEMENTS MADE
Ycstcrday-A Telegram That There
was Little Hope Followed by
Favorable Buftctin-Fcars
of the Worst Prevail.

NEw York, April 15,-Last night was
bad one for ex-senator Conkling. He
slept but little and was much affected
by a hard cough that disturbed him
every few minutes. He is much pros
trated by 1t, and this morning was weak
and nervous, II has been found neces-
sary to engage an assistant nurse for
him, Mrs. Conkling, who has been al
most constantly at her husbands bed
side, retired this morning to secure
much needed rest. Mrs. oakman, the
Senator's daughter, remained in her
fathers room all night and is still with
him.
DR.. Barker said this morning that
there were no symptoms for the worse
in his patients condition, except little
bronchitis, developed during the night.
Mr.. Conkling's pulse was 80 and his
temperature 0S!. There still remains
some twitching OF the muscles. He has
not slept well. There are no signs OF
improvement. The patient has taken
considerable nOnrisbmeut, abOuttwenty-
five ounces of kumiss and milk.
At 0p. m., the opinion Of the friends
of Mr.. Gonkling and the physicians con-
tinued to differ. DR.. Barker called ut
S:l5 p. IN. He said Mr.. Conkling had
lost nothing, and that there was no
change in his pulsc or temperature since
his last visit, He declared the rumor
that Conkling was in astupor and una
bic to recognize anybody was false. He
had grasped the Doctors hand with a
Grmer grip than he cared TO have. DR..
Barker will not call again until to-mor-
row morning Mt $3.50. The Senator took
his l1ourishment well tonight. Not
withstanding this hopeful view, the fol-
lowing telegram was sent to-day:
Hon. J. p. Jones. Utica, ". u!
Much weaker. Chances diminishing
Very little hope.
[Signed. S. l.. NJ. BARLOW.
CONFLICTING REPoRTs.
As the day wore on, Mr.. Conkling's
nervousness, and the twitching OF the
muscles became more pronounced. A
state OF partial coma was the next deve-
lopmcnt and the patient lost the power
to resist the doctors efforts to feed him
and dress bis wounds. Shortly after
/: 80 this afternoon he sank into sleep
which was more n state OF stupor than
sleep. Not for single moment was he
rational this afternoon and his mind was
filled with recollectiOns of great law suits
and political campaigns in which he has
been leading figure. Even the physi-
clans whose whole attitude is most
guarded and circumspect, admitted this
afternoon that Mr.. Conkling was in
state of coma.
From 8 o'clock to s, many callers left
their cards but no word came from the
sick room other than that Mr.. Conkling
was still sleeping and was. still uncon-
scious. Shortly after So'clock when DIR.
Barker left thehouse," 81 nm happy to in
form you" said he TO the reporters, that
Mr.. Conkling is no worse, but shade
better than at this time lust night. He
has not been inn state Of coma or even
stupor as he was reported. Early this
evening he expressed desire for mint
julcp and he seemed to enjoy the drink
immensely.
At 1880 there was no change in Mr..
Conkling's condition, according to the
reports which reached the street. An
hour before this Edward Stokes, pro-
prietor Of the Hoffman House, said:
"Mr. Conkling is failing rapidly. There
is no chance OF his recovery. l don't
think the end is far distant.