Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-04-11
A CHANCE FOR HIS LIFE.
Mr.. CoNKLlNG'S PHYSICIANS MAKE AN
ENCOURAGING REPORT.

| A Restless Day In the Sick Room-HUw the
Patient Was HUNDRED and Put TO SLEEP
"A Better Pulse and Tcmpernture-rhs
Doctors Not willing to Make Predictions
| but Are Somewhat Hopeful.
NEW YORK, April ll.-When the light OF
dawn stole into the apartments of Roscoe
COniling in the Twenty-fourth street annex
of the Hoffman house Tuesday it revealed a
patient vigil. On the bed was lying the eN-
senator, moving uneasly from side TO side in
the restlessness of fever, and muttering inco-
herently in his delirium, while by his couch
sat his devoted wife and his vigilant physi-
elan, Dr. Alderton. All night long the wife
aud the doctor had watched by the side
| of the suffering man, but the dawn brought
little hope to the watchers
All day there prevailed throughout the
| Hoffman house painful feeling of suspense.
This feeling was so intense rs to show itself in
every part of the great establishment 1t
was apparent even in the brilliantly-appointed
bar where the voices, usually carelessly loud,
were subdued, as If from general desire to
allow no possibility of noise to disturb the fit
full rest of the much-loved and respected pa
tient 1t mattered little that Mr. Conkling's
| apartments were so far removed from the
| main part of the hotel that the sound of n
| pistol shot IN the bar would fail 10
| reach him. Voices were subdued just
| the same. The bell-boys and pOrtcrs walked
| ON tp-toe when sent to the annex, and
| spoke in whispers there and elsewhere Even
| the guests who gathered in the corridors cen
tering at the Office on the main hoor seemed
TO feel the tension, and boisterous laughter
usually so common there, was unhenrd. The
4
the day, and late in the afternoon it was
thought that he was much worse. The physi-
clans were at the house several times during
, the day, and at no time would they say a
word of hope to those who watched.
At 500 Dr. Barker called and remained
with Mr.. Conkling until 5:55 Up TO the time
of his arrival the patient had restlesSly paced
the room, aud the attendants could do moth
ing with him. He refused all medicine, and
they could not force it into his mouth. When
the doctor arrived Mr.. Conking recognized
him, and said 'Doctor, can't you do any
thing to stop this bothering met" "Why, Ger.
tainly," replied the doctor, take this medi
cine" Mr.. Conkling took it readily from the
doctors hand, and then said: Cant l 60
outi Pm very busy"
Again the doctor answered, "Certainly,"
adding, take these pills first" He then adj
minstered some pills, which speedily pro
duced sleep. Mr.. Conkling, TO whom the doc
tor had handed his coat and vest, had par
TALLY dressed himself, but now fell back on
the bed and into deep slumber. At 5:45 his
pulse was 90, temperature 1Ol. and respiration
p, At G:lO p. m Judge Coke, of Utica, came
to the door and said his uncle was resting
quietly. No sudden change was apprebended
Mr. Conkling had been sleeping since j:I5 p
m. Mrs. Conkling was very much exhausted,
and was trying to get some rest in an adjoin-
ing room.
Drs Barker and Sands held consultation
at $50 p. m and reported Mr. Conkling's
condition greatly improved. There is no
danger of his death within few hours, and
if he can he kept alive for three days he will
recover. The pulse at O'Clock was ST. tenn
perature 80 3-5, respiration 25
A reporter asked DR.. Barker the blunt
question: Can Mr. Conkling recovert'
The doctor cautiously replied: at is a
treacherous disease aud can not speak for
the future All the changes that have taken
place to-day are in the patients favor But
very little pus has been discharged since the
operation was performed"
DR.. Aldertun, who has been constantly at
Mr.. OOnklnT's bedside since his illness, has
been relieved by DIR. Hartley When DR..
Hartley went into the sick room Mr. COnk.
gra-Ped his hand and gave a smile OF recog-
milton. Later he was able to taIk to his wife
and the physician. At 1000 p. m Mr. Conk-
ling was resting quietly. Tine following
telegram was received Tuesday night from
Urbana, Ill.
Hon. ROSCOE CONKLING:-The Republic
cans of Champaign county in convention
adopted the following resolution, introduced
by j. G.. Harris: This convention has learned
with profound regret of the illness of the
Hon. Roscoe Conkling. 1t is therefore as the
representatives of the Republicans of Cham
paign county, ILL.,, we desire to express our
deep solicitude and earnest hope for his |
speedy recovery. Unanimously adopted by
a rising vote.
(sgned) j. W LANGLEY, chairman.
At l a. M, after short period Of wake
fitness, Mr.. Conkling again fell soundly |
asleep. DIR. Hartley said his condition
seemed more encouraging than at any time
since the operation.
THE LATEST. w Wednesday, 300 n. m-At
2;45 a, IN. Mr.. Conkling bad a fit of delirium
and arose and paced the room. He was
finally quoted, and at o'clock was sleeping
quietly. Dr. Hartley is the only physician
now in his sick chamber.