The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-19

Historic Old Mansion with Fatcful
Associations
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1s.-All day long
tho life OF James G. Blaine has hung
trembling in the balance. For moro
than an hour in tho forenoon hope was
abandoned and tho end was momentar-
lily expected by his physicians, family
and friends. All simulations we're
thrown aside in the apparent imminent
presence of death, and the supposed
facts of his illness-the long denied,
but now admitted Brights disease, tho
occasional intervals of delirium, the
long hours when he has lain incapable
ofspeech or motion las it is now said
was tho case whom Cardinal Gibbons
paid him his recently friendly call),
these and other distressing features OF
his illness, all incidental to the one over
powering organic trouble, Brights dis.
ease, aggravated, as this has been OF
late, by cold contracted while i'm
prudently venturing out driving two
weeks ago and by malarial fever, and
confronted by constitution impaired
by nearly two years OF continual sick
ness-all these things are now tacitly
admitted.
The physicians assert that there have
not been any hemorrhages, as has been
asserted, but this is almost the only
alarming symptom which is now de-
MED. The first crisis was reached be-
tween 10 and II o'clock this morning,
when o sinking spell set in, when the
worst was feared. His family were
called around the bedside and his ply
sicians sent messenger after messenger
to the nearest drug store with prescrip-
tions requiring hasty attention.
A SLIGHT RALLY.
The distinguished patient lay uncon-
scious and to all appearances dying un-
til shortly before l o'clock, when a
slight rally sct in. At 2 o'clock his
physicians, Drs. w. w. Johnston and
Hyatt considered him so much i'm
proved as to render the constant pres
ence at the bedside unnecessary. While
there had been no change in his condi-
tion upon which hopes OF ultimate re-
coyery could be based, tho immediate
crisis had passed.
At2:S0 o'clock this afternoon re-
porter saw James G. Blaine, jr., at the
family residence. He said that his
fathers attack this morning was very
bad and created the gravest apprehen-
sion. His condition became so weak
that it was feared that in his enfeebled
condition recurrence must involve the
gravest consequences
About s o'clock Senator Hale called.
When he left the house he said MIR.
Blaine seemed little more comfortable
than he had been earlier in the day, but
that his condition appeared to be critt-
cal. It is difficult to name the trouble.
It is q general physical breaking up.
When he takes cold it brings on
consuming fever, and he is not in con-
dition to withstand it. Besides, thero
arc tho ordinary complications. HIS
mind is perfectly clear.
HOPE GIVEN ur.
While the improvement in Mr..
Blalne's condition is but slight and not
sufficient to afford any great amount OF
encouragement to his family and
friends, the reaction seems to modify
the feeling of apprehension for the inn
mediate future. james G. Blaine, Jr.,
and Walter L. Damrosch, the ex-secre-
tary's son-in-law, walked down the
avenue this evening. All day repro.
sentatives of the press have patrolled
Madison Place and carefully watched
the old red mansion which has become
celebrated for its historical associations
and the fatality with which misfortune
has followed its occupants. From the
sickles.Keys tragedy, which occurred
more than third of century ago,
followed by tho attempted assassination
Of Secretary Seward during the last
year of the civil war, down to tho pres
ont time, the pail of i'll fate has hung
over the mansion.
a little after 6 o'clock both doctors
loft, DR.. Hyatt saying that Mr.. Blalne's
condition showed a slight improvement
over tho morning. Or. Hyatt said that
he thought there was no doubt that Mr..
Blaine would live through the night,
but at tho same time he is undoubtedly
critically i'll and any complications that
may arise will doubtless cause fatal
termination to his illness.
TIE PRESIDENT CALLS.
A little after $3.50 o'clock Mr.. James
G. Blaine, jr., came out and said to the
reporters: 1--WE think that father is
considerably better than he was this
morning. He was dangerously i'll dur
ing the forenoon. During tho after.
noon, however, he seems to have rallied
somewhat. The ply sicians have been
hero this evening and we now think he
will live during tho night and We hope
for tho best. Still, it must be said that
he is very dangerously i'll"
President Harrison accompanied by
his private secretary, Mr.. Haltord,
walked over from tho White House to
tho ex.secretary's residence this even
ing to personally inquire as to his con.
dition, and expressed qualification at
being informed that there had been
some abatement OF moro alarming
symphonic.
Tho excitement throughout the city
was iutonse as the news OF Mr.. Blaine'a
condition, and though 1t was Sunday
the newspapers issued extras, which
found rapid sale.
PREPARING FOR THE END.
Atl1 p. m. Drs, Johnston and Hyatt