Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-09
INTO THE SHADOW.
Death Again Hovers Over James
G. BIaine's Couch.
A FIERCE BATTLE RECOMMENDED
With the Victim Weakened and the
Assailant Eager for the De-
cisive Struggle.

Three Sinking Spells in One Night Bring
the Ex-Secretary to the Edge of Eter-
nity-Doctors Summoned Hurriediy at
1 O'clock in the NIorning-A Long Fight
to Beat OF the Grim Terror Rewarded
with a Measure of Success, but Little
Hope That the improvement Will Avail
Much-The End of Time Apparently
Rapidly Approaching.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-At 3 o'clock a. m.
today all was quiet in the Blaine mansion,
and no messages of any kind had been
sent out nor had any evideeces been given
of unusual occurrences within.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-The news that
James q. Blaine had once more passed
into the valley Of the shadow of death, and
that even those who had been most san
guine in anticipation now hold no hope of
his recovery, became known in Washing
ton and by means of press bulletins to the
country at large early yesterday morning
Notwithstanding the hopeful views which
the family and attending physicians by
their direction had from time to time given
ont for publication, no expectation of Mr..
Blaine's ultimate recovery has been enter
tanned by any one in position to acquire
knowledge Of the real facts of his case
since the issue of the significant bulletin
of Dec II last, which said 'Mr Blaine
has been suffering for some time past with
symptoms of impaired general health, but
which did not clearly indicate the disease
of any particular organ. Evidence of local
organic disease has been manifested re-
Gently, and it is believed his present condi-
ton is due to this cause While there is
nothing in the disease to warrant the fear
of any very rapid progress he has shown
| within month past more signs of serious
illness than before. 1t is hoped that this
aggravation may pass OF, but no positive
statement can now be made as tt ctangSes
which may take place from day to da5.
First Glimpse of the Dark Valley.
The next day, Sunday, Dec 1S-just
three weeks ago-there occurred that sud
GtTl failure of the hearts action, which for
hours ~ She patient trembling on the
, verge of death, and which broke down
nnch of the retitence and suppression Of
facts that had heretofore been maintained,
and elicited admissions which precluded
any hope of recovery or even of any ma,
terial amelioration of his condition. 1t is
a significant indication of the interest the
whole country has taken in the case that
since that day the press wires leading from
Washington to the great news centers OF
the country have never for one single
moment remained unnamed. Night and
day operators and reporters have remained
on duty relieving each other without ces-
sation, and at stated intervals through
every night bulletins have been wired to
indicate at least that no change for the
worse had set in.
The Daily "a Little Better" Report.
Many more or less well founded as
sertions of failing vitality and dangerous
relapses have since then found publicity,
but none has been officially admitted I'M
til Saturday night. On the contrary the
daily statements of the sick statesman's
condition have been so progressively on a
scale of "a little better" every morning,
that had they been grounded Oh sub
stantial bases would have long since
landed the invalid on pinnacle of robust
health. But Saturday night the physicians
admitted that Mr.. Blaine was worse, and
much weaker. Even then this admission
was qualified by the announcement that
no immediate danger was anticipated and
that the doctors would not return during
the night unless sent for. The exigencies
of the case, however, brushed aside this
intention, if it was ever seriously enter
| tanned and from the hour of / a. m. one or
the other of the physicians remained in
constant attendance at the bedside each
relieving the other.
Official statement of the Relapse.
At noon the physicians authorized this
statement: yesterday Mr. Blaine lost
strength, but last night his weakness be
came more decided for few hours, and he
seemed in danger of speedy termination.
Since morning, however, he is somewhat
stronger, and at the present moment shows
more decided evidences of rallying. But
no great hope can be felt unless the i'm
provement shall become more marked than
at present and be continued for some
hours. His present symptoms are con-
| nected with an irregular and feeble action
of the heart" The doctors bulletin,
alarming rs it was, left many facts to be
supplied by outside inquiries