The record-union., 1891-07-11
HE STILL LIVES.
Officer ArIington's Condition Grows
No Worse.
IF Anything. He Has Gained Some
Strength-His Pulse Strong, but
He Cannot Speak.

A slight improvement was noticeable
yesterday in the condition of Officer
William Arlington, the police officer who
was shot by Annie Manning, and DIR.
Nichols expressed himself as surprised
at the patients remarkable vitality. His
pulse was stronger and more regular than
at any time since the shooting, and no
sign of fever was perceptible. He was
strong enough to raise himself in bed
yesterday morning, and, although able to
open his mouth, could not utter a word
lie apparently recognizes acquaintance.
The doctor talked to him yesterday
morning, and by repeating his questions
the meaning gradually dawned upon the
patients mind. The only nourishment
he is able to take is milk.
DR.. Nichols states that, while he con-
siders the apparent Improvement in the
officers condition little less than mira
Gle, he would not be surprised TO hear of
q sudden change for the worse at any
moment, and the patients rapid dissolu-
ton. He says it is not at all unlikely
that inflammation of the brain will set
in.
There seems to be little or nothing on
which TO found the theory that the
Arlington was first assaulted by the
latter. a RECORD-UNIoN reporter was in
the room within a few minutes after the
terrible tragedy occurred, and there was
no place therein where a man could have
secreted himself. The room was very
light, also, and person could not have
! concealed himself from. Arlington.
The bureau was about three feet from
the bed, and Arlington lay with his head
near the corner of the former, as if he had
pitched forward from the bed and fallen
there. The probability is that he was sit
ting on the bed with his head bent for
ward, meditatively, and his eyes fixed on
the floor, listening TO the woman's TRADE
of abuse, when the first shot was fired.
This was doubtless the one that took
effect in the upper portion of the head.
Then he probably started up, but fell and
struck his head against the bureau as be
fell forward. AS he lay upon the floor
the murderesS fired the shots that entered
the back Of the head.
This theory is strengthened by this fact
that one bullet first struck the base of the
bureau and lodged in Arlington's cloth
ing, where it was found. The confusion
on the head was most likely made by his
falling heavily either against the edge of
the bureau or the corner of the marble
slab.
There are rumors about of some one
having been seen to run away from the
place, and also that one Of the women of
the house disappeared as soon as the shots
were fired. If these things occurred they
will doubtless be brought out at the in
quest to be held on the woman's remains,
but the more rational theory seems to be
that there was no person present except
the Manning woman and her victim.
The body of Annie Manning is at the
Morgue, where it had been placed in a
handsome casket. Her mother returned
to Stockton yesterday.
Night officer Clark at the police station
says he is convinced that the wounded
man knows what is passing in his room.
When he went in to see him yesterday
the patient reached out his left hand and
drew him toward the couch, and APP
peared to be pleased when his fellow
officer sat down by him. He looked as
if he wanted to speak, and opened his
mouth, but could not articulate.
Should the patient gain in strength, an
effort viii be made to obtain some ex-
preston from him, by propounding
written questions, concerning the facts of
the shooting.