The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-19

night, but at the same time, he il undoubt-
edly critically nj; and any consultations,
that may sriee will doubtless cause a fatal
termination of his illness.
A little after $50 o'clock. Mr.. James G.
Blaine. jr.; came ont and said to the re-
porters: We think that father is con-
morning. He was dangerously i'll during
the forenoon. During the afternoon.
however. he seems to have rallied some-
what The physicians have been here
this evening. and We now think ne VIII
live during the night, and we hope for the
best. Still, it must be said that he is very
dangerously ill.," These were the strongest
statements that had yet been made by the
family or physlcians as to the condition OF
the ex-Secretary.
President Harrison. accompanied by bis
private secretary, Mr.. Halford. walked
over from the White House to the ex-Sec-
retary's residence, this evening, to person
ally inquire as to his condition. end ex-
pressed relief and qualification at being in
formed that there had been some abate-
ment of the more alarming symptoms. The
excitement throughout the city was in-
tense as the news of MIR. Blaine's ccndI-
tion spread. and though it was Sunday the
newspapers issued extras, which found .
rapid sale.
THE SINKING SPELL.
From an intimate friend of the family it
was learned that it was only when Mr..
Blaine was suddenly seized with the sink
ing spell this morning which threatened
for some minutes to terminate in heart
failure, that his family fully realized how
near he was to death. For few seconds
he seemed to be in ex xtremis and the watch
ers bent anxiousiy over him. The
emacisted face of the dying statesman was
white as marble and his features sadly
drawn. AT times. he scarcely seemed
for breath. The physicians who
had been hastily summoned, were
in the meantime not idle. They piled
him with st,mulative cordials. the trained
nurses chafcd his extremities, and it was
only after working over the patient for
upwards of thirty minutes and the applica-
tlon OF every art known to the medical
profession that Mr.. Blaine slowly revived.
tremely weak-weaker than at any time
when suffering q relapse. He was too
weak even to whisper. and made no sign of
recognition
The family gathered around the bedside
were all in tears except Mrs. Blaine. She
maint aimed outward composure throughout
the try ing scene. and calmly gave such di-
rections to the attendants were neces-
sary. Her will power when, in fact.
her heart was breaking; Is de;
marvellous. Whatever may have been Mrs.
Blalne's suspicious or knowledge of her
husbands condition through all of the in
tervening months of his lllness, she has
that she did not believe in his future re-
covery. 1t has been her cheerfulness under
distressing circumstances that has soothed
her husbands dependency.
OF late MIR; Blaine's physical condition
way to despondency. While manifesting
no fear Of death. Mr.. Blame has often said
he did not want to die. I'm fact" says an
intimate friend Of the family. "Mr. Blaine
heroism. The world knowa how
ambitious he was. and also knows
how much he accomplished in the
pursuit of his ambition. And yet he dies
disappointed. and. was about to say. q
perhaps, be putting 1t too strong. once
heard him say that. after all, ambition was
an lgnus fatuus and that all the world was
dnS ho1GT outside ts Of ns Snss fsT w Then he
"What is ambitions Ills . glorious cheat. The
angels OF light
Walk not 50 dazzlingiy the sapphire walls of
heayeni'
"Mr. Blaine has lived about sixty-two
years, but when You appreciate what he
has passed through he has lived far beyond
three score and ten. He has been COM
pared In his public life with Sir. Clay.
There is close resemblance between Mr..
Blaine and that great tribune Of the people.
Clay was maanetic; so is Blaine. Each
was powerful before the people, and pos
sessed genial fellowship that bound mon
to them with hooks of steel Both had an
inclined to believe, however. that Mr..
Blaine's public career will stand higher in
the esteem Of future generations than that
Of Mr.; Clay; Both were remarkable men,
and left their lasting impress upon the
times in which they lived"
STATEMENT FROM DIR. JOHNSTON.
At $50 o'clock tonight reporter had an
interview with Mr. Blaine's attending ply
siCians. Doctors w w. Johnston and Frank
Hyatt. Speaking for them both, DR.. john
ston said: "Mr. Blaine is distinctly better
tonight than he was last night. and much
better than he was this morning."
"Whas has..,, was tho nature of the attack to-
':it was failure of his heart to perform
it's functions satisfactorily.'
HIS trouble is not in his hearts" was
asked.
mo. 1t is not But in the general weak.
ness from which Mr. Blaine is suffering. all
the organs are affected and the heart
makes manifeet tho weakness Of the whole
system. Nix. Blsine's condition has been
suoh that when he takes cold. as he did ten
causing . deterioration of the system.
For some days prior to and including yes
terday, however. he was recovering from
the effects of tho cold and fever and last
night be was entirely free from fever; his
pulse beating strongly and his condition
quiet gratifying. This morning, however.
he had an Ill turn; his heart beats
became more indistinct and irregular, and
he was more languid and less observant.
However, he rallied from that condition,
those symptoms disappeared, he has taken
nourisiment during the afternoon and
evening, and. as 1 said he is brighter and
better. HIS pulse is stronger aud the
action quite marked"
''You apprehend no danger of immediate
dissolution thenP
mo: on the other hand. If he maintains
and regsins sufficient strength to overcome
or obviate future attacks like that of to-
day, there is nothing in his disease that
should carry him of"
Referring to the alarming rumors that
were current. and some of which had al
ready got into print. DR.. Johnston was
asked if he expected that death would oc-
cur tonight.
II have no reason to expect it," he an
swered.
At11 p. NJ. Drs. Johnston and Hyatt Wis
tied Mr.. Blaine again and gave out for pub
lication the following statement: .'Mr.
his weakness of this morning, and appears
within the past week. While it is not pos
sible to say what changes may take place
in his condition. he can be said to be In no
Immediate danger"
Shortly after ii O'clock closed carriage
was driven rapidiy to the front of the Blaine
mansion, from which alighted Miss Hattie
Blaine. Mrs Damrosch, Miss Abigail bod &c
Gail Hamiton) and Mr.. Damrosch. The
ladies were closely veiled and ran through
the crowd of correspondents and others
gathered in front of the house into the