Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-04-12
AN UNEQUAL BATTLE
WAGKD IN ROSCOE CONKLING'S SICK
ROOM.
Waysrins Between Life and Death-lbs Morning
Brings Signs OF Improvement Which Fade
Away as the Day WansS-Dsath
All But Certain.

NEW YORK, April 11.-There is no ma
terial change in the condition of ex-senator
Copkling's health this morning. At t6:20
O'Clock, while suffering from one of his
periodical attacks Of delirium, Mr.. Conk-
ling paced up and down the sick chamber.
After ten minutes he became exhausted
and sank en- the bed. 1t was not long be-
fore he was fast asleep. At o'clock Mr..
Conkling was stih sleeping, which was re-
garded by the physicians as more than
ordinary good foreboSing. Atten minutes
past nine o'clock the patient was resting
peacefully. The doctor felt the patients
pulse and found il more regular than it has
been for several days. Mr.. COnkliug
awoke and cordially shook hands with
the physician, who at once
take some soothing medicine. The sufferer
promptly replied in the affirmative and as
promptly took the medicine offered him.
Subsequently DR.. Barker in the form of an
official bulletin announced to the members
OF the press that Mr.. Conkling was begin
ming TO recover. "a marked change for
the better" he added, chad taken place
during the night. Mr.. Conkling is much
better this morning. Ia fact he is much
better this morning than he has been for
at least ten days, and enjoyed more re-
freshing sleep during the night than he
has for over ten days.
Edward S. Stokes visited Mr.. Conkling
at 10 o'clock. When he came out he said !:
~ never was more surprised in my life
than TO see the improved condition of Mr..
Conklipg. Yesterday / believed he would
not recover and sent kilograms to that
effect. To-day he was sitting up in his
bed and recognized me"
Dr. Barker said this morning that he
wished to correct some reports that bad
appeared concerning the patient, that he
had at any time been violent. He had at
all times been very gentle, even when in
his most delirious moments. DR.. Barker
said that he had hopes ard had by no
means given up his distinguished patient
This morning, as usual, he had taken milk
as nourishment.
II was learned that Mrs. Conkling was
feeling very much encouraged this morn
ing. She said her husband had been ra-
tional part Of the time and had slept at
intervals during the night.
Judge Shipman said shortly before three
O'Clock that he did no. believe that Mr.
ConkliDg would survive more than twenty
four hours.
At three o'clock DR.. Barker called on
Mr. Conkling He said: 81 don't think
he is as strong az he was this morning He
took some milk, and is now sleeping quiet
ly. Hs has lost considerable ground since
this morning. There is still some hope
for his recovery, unless some complications
In the region Of the mastoid sets in.
A reporter in conversation with a prom
inent physician, who does not want his
name published, learned some new facts.
The physician said: "Mr. ConkliDg, If he
had mastOid trouble alone, the pus having
been removed, would recover, but if he
had meningitis also, he would die"
In view of this statement the reporter
asked DR.. Barker if Mr.. Conkling had
meningitis. He said: There ia tend
ency that way, and should it run into
meningitis it would only be matter of "a
hours"
LII. at SOO CIOCh duu
dressed the wound. He found Mr. Conk-
ling sitting up but unconscious. Colonel
Thomas p. Ochiltree called upon Mrs
Conkling this afternoon. He found her
very much fatigued by her long vigil. She
said her husband had slept some to-day
but wss weaker than yesterday.
At 9:l5 Drs. Barker and Sands finished
consultation. DR.. Barker said the
patient had had sound, healthy, deep
sleep from 3 until 10 p m. The chance
for the Senator's recovery was improved
''Twenty-four hours ago bis chances were
one in q hundred; now the chances are one
in twenty-five that he will recover He
has been steadily improving for the past
twenty-fOur hours"
After the doctor left at midnight, Mr.
Conklipg fell asleep again and seemed to be
resting comfortably. During the pbysic-
ian's last visit for the night, a message OF
sympathy was received from Washington
from the members of the Senate. Demo-
Gratis and Republicans signed it alike.
DIR. Hartley issued the following bull
letin at 1890 o'clock this morning: Sen
ator Conkling's condition has changed
slightly for the worse. His temperature is
enc degree more than it was at 9 p. m,
when il was 100 degrees, and his pulse
beats six degrees faster to the minute"