Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-09-10
HIS sun SETTING.
Congressman Cox Lying at the
Point of Death.
A FIGHTING CHANCE FOR HIS LIFE.

His Physicians Constantly at Hand and
Slight Illness Develops into Peritonitis
The Sick Man Cheerfully Awaits the
Outcome, Fearless in the Awful Pres
ence.
NEW YonK, Sept 10 Congressman Sam
uel Sullivan Cox is lying at the point Of
death at his home at k3 East Twelfth street.
He was attacked by acute peritonitis at
o'clock Sunday morning, and there has not
been any quarter of any hour since, his doc
tor says up to the same time yesterday,
when his death was not expected. At z
O'Clock yesterday morning there were faint
indications that life had the better of the
conflict with disease, and last night he had
just fighting chance His death of heart
failure at any time, on half an hours notice,
will occasion no surprise
The Doctor Constantly at Hand.
The physicians relieve each other in watch
ing at his bedside. There is no moment when
physician is not at hand. The only rela-
tive at his bedside is his wife. The only
friend admitted to his room besides his ply
sicisns is W. J. Hirschfield, who has long
new disease to Mr. Cox. Two years ago
he had an attack similar to this in Washing
ton City. He was then attended by Dr.
Bliss and Dr. q T. Sewers, his Washington
City physicians His recovery then con-
sdered remarkable, and it was predicted
that anC Their attack would be fatal
Caught Cold at the Capital.
His wife is Frustrated with grief. Mr..
Cox returned several weeks ago from a lee
turing tour in Dakota and Washington ter
ritories in his usual good health Two weeks
ago he went TO Washington in the interest
OF one Of his constituents and caught cold,
which was followed 10y malarial fever. Yes
terday morning Mr.. Cox appreciated the
critical condition he was in. He said slowly
TO those in the room: Il suppose 1 will
never get over this " He was silent for a time
and then added more cheerfully: SWELL,
what mattersl / am willing to die, if it must
be. The chief regret have in going is to
leave my dear wife"
Progress of the Disease.
Mr.. Cox had been in bed several days
previous to Saturday, but was not thought
very ILL., DIR. Wynkoop called on Mr.. Cox
about midnight ON Saturday and remained
until 80 in the morning This late visit
was not necesstated by the severity of Cox's
desire to See the most of the fever which
reached its height about that hour each
night At 1880 he went home, and Mr.. Cox
apparently slept At o'clock Mrs. Cox
was drawn to her husbands side by signs of
distress, and was astounded at the change
she saw in him. He was pale, appeared to
be suffering keenly, and seemed rapidly
sinking She sent at once for DIR. Wynkoop,
whom it did not take long to discover that
the trouble was acute peritonitis.
A More Hopeful Report
The patients condition last evening was
not materially changed He seemed to rally
at times, and the doctors thought that the
turning point for the better or worse would
be reached within twelve hours He retains
his faculties, and wants to the numerous
people who call to inquire after him, but the
physicians will not let him talk to or see any
one. Mrs Cox sent the following reply last
evening TO an inquiry from a friend in
Washington: "Mr. Cox is slowly rallying,
and hopes of recovery are increasing"
Waiting for the Crisis.
At IL O'Clock last evening Mrs Cox said
that MIR. Cox was resting better, though still
in precarious condition. He has spells of
choking, owing to inability to expel phegm
from the throat At midnight the doctors
held a consultation, and decided that no cri-
sis would be reached for some honrs vet