Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-19
The Family and the World Now
Aware Of Sad Fact
That Death May Come at Any Mo-
ment--Last Evenings Report
Said the He was Slightly Improved
Compared with Morning.
The Present Trouble is General Breaking
Down Of Physical System.

the balance For more than an hour in the
afternoon hope was abandoned and the end
was momentsrilv expected by physician,
family and friends.
All stimulation was thrown aside in the
apparent imminent presence of death aud
the suppressed facts of his ilness-the long
denied Bright's disease, occasional intervals
of delirium, long hours when he has lain
incapable of speech or motion, as is now
said was the case when Cardinal Gibbons
paid his recently friendly calf,
and other distressing features of his
illness. all incidental to the overpowering
organic trouble, Bright's disease, ag-
gravated as this has been of late by the
cold contracted while out driving.
and by malarial fever, and confronted by
a constitution impaired by nearly two
years of continual sickness, all these facts
are now tactly admitted.
Physicians assert that there has not been
anv hemorrhage, and this almost the only
alarming symptom now denied. The frs'
crisis was reached between 10 and | this
morning. when sinking spell set in. from
which the worse was feared. Mr.. Blaine's
family was called to his bedside. and his
physicians sent messengers to the nearest
drug store with prescriptions requiring
hasty attention.
The distinguished patient lay unconsei-
ous, to all appearanceAdying. until shortly
before l2 O'Clock when slight rally set in.
His pulse which had almost ceased TO beat.
became again percep,ihle. and partial con
sciousness was restored.
At 2 his physicians, Drs. WV Johnston
and HYATT, considered him so much bet
ter as to render their constart presence at
the bedside unnecessary. There has been no
marked improvement. no change in his
condition upon which hopes of ultimate re-
covery could be based but the immediate
crisis had passed.
230 a reporter saw James G., Blaine,
Jr., at the family residence. He said his
fathers attack of this morning was very
bad and had created the gravest apprehen-
sion The patient had become SO weak
that it was feared that recurrence of the
attack must involve the gravest conse-
quences.
Mrs. Hale, wife of Senator Hale OF
Maine, one of Mr. Blaine's closest friends,
was at the house several hours during the
dav and made second call late in the
afternoon. About she left and soon after
Senator Hale called.
Mr.. Hale stated, as he left the house.
that Mr.. Blaine seemed little more COM
Portable than earlier in the day, but his
condition appeared critical,
1T may be- he said ''that he will re-
cover but those who have an interest in
him, have reason to be alarmed. In fact
his condition is alarming. 1t is difficult to
name the trouble. II is u general physical
breaking up. When he takes cold ii
brings on a consuming fever and he is not
in the condition TO withstand it. Besides
there are ordinary complications. HIS mind
is perfectly clear."
The house was lighted up early, all the
lower shutters were closed. Brs. Hyatt.
and Johnston, who were to meet al the
house for consultation between and <,
we're sent for Just before 8. Both soon
rearhed the house.
Their arrival gave rise to the rnmor that
the patient was suffering from another at
tack Of exbaustion. This proved on error,
and the statement was authoritatively made
at r. NJ, that nothing in the nature of a
relapse had occurred.
While the improvements in Mr.. Elaine's
condition are but slight, the reaction
seemed to modify the feeling of apprehen-
sion for the immediate future, anl Jam :
G. Blaine, Jr., ami Waller Damrosrh
walked down the avenue 'bis evening
All day representatives of the pre1s have
patrolled Madison Place AMI carefully
watched the old red mansion, which has
become celebrated for its historical assoc'-
atons and the fatality with .hith misfor-
time followed its occupants
From the Sickles-key tragedy which oc-
CURED more than third Of century ago,
followed by attempted assassination OF
Secretary Seward during the last year OF
the civil war, down to the present time. a
pail of ill-fate has hung over the manstou.
During less than four years occupancy OF
this house by tue Blaine IA My, Ms. & 'p-
pinger. Walker Blaine, Emmons Blaine
the secretary's children, have dicl.
Little after six both doctors left. Dr.
HYATT said Mr.. Bimne's condition showed n
slight Improvement over the morning
They did not consider it necessary to issue
another bulletin.
Dr. HYATT said he thought no doubt Mr.
Blaine would live through the night, but
the patient is critically i'll and any complica.
tions might arise which would cause fatal
tpfUiD3Tou 10 tfe H1W-s+
4 little after $50 James G.. Blaine .Ir.,
came ont and said to reporter: "We
think father IL considerably better than
this evening. and we now think he will live
throughout the night, and hape for the best.
Still il must be said that he is very danger.
ously ILL.,
These were, the strongest statements
made BY the family or pAysiciarss a. 10 the
ex-secre,sYy's condition.
President Harrison. accompanied by
Private Secretary Halford, walkci over
from the White House to the ex-secre'ary's =
residence this evening to personally inquire
as to his condition, and expressed relief
and qualification at being ieforrseI tiiss
there had been some abatement of the
more alarming symptoms.
Excitement throughout th.. si,y WAS in.
tense as the news Of Ar. BIsine's condi.
ton spread, and the new spspers Issued tx.
tras.
From an intimate friend Of the family i;
was learned that il MAS only when Mr.,
Blaine was suddenly seized xit., q sinking
spell this morning., which threatened for
some minutes TO terminate in heart failure,
that hi. family fully realized how near he
was to death. For few Seconds he seemed
in extreme pain The em,siased face of
the dying statesman vas white. a. marble
add his features were sadly dfavn. At
times he scarcely seemed "a breathe, and
at others gaspei for breath.
The physicians presens piled him with
stimulative cortials. trained nurses cLzfed
his extremifies. and snly after working over
the patient np~sris Of 30 minutes. and the
application Of every art known to The mcdi-
csl profession, that Mr. BIxiHe slowly re-
yivsd.
But the battle With death foand bisn
wesker than after any previous relapse
He was too weak. even to whisper sHsi
made no sign Of recogn ton. The faaits
we're al IN tears except Mrs. msine.
She maintained outssrd composure and
gave such directions to ,hs attendants ~
was necessary Her viii poser when iH
fact her heart was breaking, y aessril.ed
As something pathetic s,sd 'aarsfl;oas.
Ats.30 DIR. Johnston said Mr.. Eiains