The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-18
Yesterday ar the Bedside.


Yesterday at the Bedside.
New York. April 1z-Dr. Fordyce Barker
seemed quite overcome as ne stood on the steps
of Mr.. Conkling's house this afternoon and told
reporters of the impending dissolution of his
patient His voice was husky with emotion and
his eyes were suffused with tears. He made no
effort to conceal the fact that death was ready
at any moment to set its seal upon the brow of
the victim who had struggled long, when
weaker nature would have succumbed. The
sad news of impending dissolution spread
rapidly in the Hoffman House, and was
licked off by wire to a sorrowing
country. There hush in the corridors of
the hotels near by. and 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
severe test during the blizzard of March Il is
said to be the cause OF Mr.. Conkling's illness.
Mr.. Conkling delighted in telling the story of
his struggle through the snow en-
that evening when he walked from
his Office in Wall street to his
home in WeSs Twenty fourth street.
For two weeks after his heroic deed he con-
tinued to work. and at last, on March 80, had to
suCcumb. On April lie called in DR.. Aenew,
and on the 9th DR.. Sands, after consultation,
determined on performing one Of the most deli
Interpretations known TO surgical science. Phys
ical diagnosis proved that pus sack lay in
side the skull back of the ear. In the operation
the rather awkward trepan was dispensed with
In order to give vent to the pus, which doubt
less bore on the brain, DR.. Sands made lateral
eincision in the scalp, and then a sharp chisel
wa Mis- NAd nm tha hove -;tI
one sharp stroke of mallet the chiseI was sent
right through the bone. Pus freely flowed and
the fever was reduced. Temporary relief fol-
lowed.
All the afternoon to-day the sick statesman
lay motionless in his bad in the Hoffman House
annex. He occasionally moved his arms, which
were under the bed covering. He lay on his
right side, in order that the wound on the left
side of his head might not be irritated. This
cut. it will be understood, il the one DR.. Sands
made when he operated in his endeavor TO save
the ex-Senator's life
,raAt 6s10P. NJ, Ed Stokes came out OF the house
and said that Mr.. Conkling was sinking very
rapidly, and his death was merely question OF
time. Large crowds of people congregated in
the street during the evening, owing to the
bulletins announcing that the end was near.
Prominent politicians and members of the bar
were seen in the corridors of the Hoffman
House, discussing the abilities of the dying Sem
ator and inquiring the latest news. Everyone
WAS anxious to get information. and yet feared
that at any moment it would be learned that the
end had come.
"A sorrowful group surrounded the sick mans
bed. Mrs. Conkling, whose vieils have been be-
yond the endurance of many stronger women,
and who had watched her husband we'll on in
L -
and respondent His nephews, Judge Alfred C.
Coke aud Alderman Conk1ing, and his brother,
Col. Frederick A. Cenkling. and Mrs. 0akum,
were sorrowful observers of the passing of the
great Senator. The strong frame, that in his
delirium required the stoutest porters Of the
Hoffman to hold. even while wasted by disease,
now lay low and almost lifeiess in the hands CT
the great destroyer. His breathing was weak
and difficult
DR.. Hartley came ont shortly after o'clock
and said the Senator was very low, but he would
talk no further. COL Frederick A. Conkling
left at s:45. and FIVE minutes later young Alder
man Conkling. the formers son. came out and
inspired a little hope by saying that the Senator
might live twelve hours longer.
Dr. Barker called at 9:10 P. NJ. and remained
until 9:35. He said Mr.. Conkling was slowly
sinking, but might linger for hours. He was
unconscious and suffering pain. so thar there
was no wear upon the tissues. and the vital
powers of some men greater than others.
there was no, knowing how long he might lin
GER His pulse was 140, his temperature 102,
and respiration 60.
DIR. Barker called at 1880 o'clock and re
mained until IL P. n He said Mr.. ConklinR
was failing rapidl-. His extremities were be-
coming coid and his legs were quite cold nearly
all the way up He pulseless. and his
piratons very quick. He did not think Mr..
Conkline could live much longer. In fact. he
did not think he would live for two hours. He
was suffering from q general failure of the
nervous system.
biographical aud Aneodota1.