The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-26
bis Ailment Similar to the Trouble That AZ
flicted Him Before He Went to Bar Harbor
Likely TO Winter in California.
Rev. ]. W. Scott, President Harrison's
Father.in.Law, in a Critical Condition.
Suffering with 0 Cold and Fever. Which. on Ac.
count of His Age, May Result Fatally
Future Plans of Hoosier Office Holders.



WASHINGTON, Nov. 25-Mr. Blaine. who
has been quite i'll for some days, but whose
condition was this evening reported con-
siderably improved. announced to some of
his friends who called to-day-Mr. Murat
Halstead. of Cincinnati. among the num-
ber-that he thought of spending the win
ter, with his family. in southern California.
1t appears that Mr.. Blains's desire to es-
cape the riRors of Washington winter has
beon known TO certain friends for some
time. and that it was no sooner known than
there came q deluge of Invitations from
every section of the South. Many of them
were inspired by q desire to advertise
health resorts, ss IL was known that Mr.
Blaine's presence would not only draw q
crowd, but would cause his stoppIng-place
to be much talked about in the newspapers.
The Bermuda people felt that they were
almost sure to secure Mr.. Blaine, as they
offered him exceptional privileges. They
made proposition to place ut his disposal
q private steam yacht. owned by a wealthy
Englishman. which would convey him and
his family to the Bermudas and there re-
main ct his disposal for such sea trips as be
might desire. While at the Islands he was
to have spacious cottage. thoroughly and
handsomely equipped. and all of this, as
well as the sea yacht. was not to cost MIR.
Blaine q penny.
Florida also offered strong inducements
ments of Mr.. Flagler, the Standard Oil
magnate. at the Ponce de Leon Hotel,
which is owned by Mr.. Flagler, were
placed at the disposal of Mr.. Blaine and his
family. Hamilton Disston, the Philadel-
phia millionaire, also extended to the
Blaines the courtesy OF his unique estab-
lishment in Florida. He has taken mp an
oasis in the everglades, and has establis he'd
monstrous saw-mills and sugar plant
He is cutting out the palmetto trees and
tho balmy odor of the palmetto logs is
peculiarly health-giving. Mr.. Diss-
toms plantation honse is to be
o marvel of magnificence, being fitted
dences of Northern oities. A little further
north the Jekyle Island Club, which has
ite preserve of six thousand acres OF. the
coast from Brunswick. Ca, would have
been glad to entertain Mr.. Blaine. The
island was once the site of Catholic
monastery. Later 1t was transformed into
one of the finest plantations In the South.
and recently 1t has passed into the hands
of Messrs. Pullman. Fairbank. DOan and
other wealthy Chicagoans and their as
sociates In New York. California also of.
fered many inducements. the Hotel Mon
terey at San Diego and Los Angeles and
Pasadena being among the places brought
to his attention.
WHY HE WILL NOT GO TO BERMUDA.
The question resolved itself largely into
q question between the Bermudas and Cal
ifornia. and it is probable that the Ber-
mudas would have won if 1t had not been
for strong circumstance. One of Mr..
BlaIne's warmest personal friends. William
r. Travers, Of New York. who was well
known as q suffering and humorous man,
who used to furnish Chauncey NJ. Depew
with his stories. went to Bermuda for his
health and there died. That settled the
Bermudas for Mr. Blaine. and nothing
could have induced him to take q route
which had terminated In his old friends
death. Having thus Cancelled one place
after another from his list California re-
mained. and 1t is there that Mr.. Blaine and
his family will 60 within the next SIX
weeks if his health will permit the journey.
To-day MIR. Blaines condition was made
the subject of universal interest by the
publication of statements that his ailment
had taken q turn for the worse. and that
his life was In imminent danger. If Mr..
Blalne's ply sician and the mem bers of his
family are to be believed such statements
are misleading and are not warranted by
the facts. Last summer q year ago Mr..
Blaine left the city to see his daugh-
ter before she sailed for Europe.
10 was on that occasion that he fell
i'll and was removed to his cottage at Bar
Harbor. who're he passed the summer
and early fall in convslescenoe The
cause of illness then was not an organic
complaint. unless peculiar sensitive
stomach can be SO regarded. In plain En-
glish. he ate what was not good for him.
namely, rich food, and ate very much of it.
Beng run down In health and mentally
fatIRued from the labors of his Office. the
affairs of which were then in critical
state, with the ChilIan and Italian i'm
broglios then fermenting about to assume q
serious aspect Mr. Blaine, who is by no
means in the vigor of youth. was made
very i'll. and required several months time
to recuperate Last summer he had another
attack. but since his return to Wash
ington he has been i'll q state of health
that may fairly be described as his normal
condition. capable of earnest work. open
air rides and walks. and cheerful, but
withal very sensitive to irregularities of
diet and too sudden changes of weather.
1t is said by persons familiar with his hab-
Its that for years he has been subject to
slight illness from these cauees, and, hav-
ing o wholesome belief in the efficacy of
doctors and Dhysicians he is quick TO note
the slightest unfavorable symptoms, to
take TO his bed and to send for his physician.
SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS ATTACKS.
As near as can be learned the attack
from which Mr.. Blaine Is now suffering is
very similar and no moro dangerous than
those which have preceded 1t. He caught
cold and he was imprudent in his diet.
Some congestion followed and there was q
fever IN it's train. There was also difficulty
In digestion. Notwithstanding reports to
the contrary it can be said that Mr. Blaine
has shown no signs of mental alteration or
delirium. There has been much difficulty
encountered in the effort to get reliable
news as to hls condition and this has
fosrered the origin and spread of exag-
gerated stories of Mr.. Blaine's condition.
The reason for this is two-fold. In the
first place. James G. Blaine, ir., is absent
from Washington, leaving none of the
family at the house. except Mrs. Blaine
and MISS Harriet Blaine. who do not feel
the numerous calls for information. In
the second place the attending physician Is
oppressed by feeling that a pubic state
ment of patients condition would be
violation of professional etiquette by the
physician. In the morning it was stated
by the attendants who answered the bell
that Mr.. Blaine had passed comfortable
night and was resting very easily. The
attendant added. Tho family were
very much surprised to see the highly ex-
aggerated accounts Of Mr. BIaine's sickness
In the papers this morning. ihey cannot