Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-09
ARTOTHEGR
The PIumed Knight Slowly
Dying.
He SUFFERS THREE RELApsEs
ysisnds and Rslatsvss Summoned % His
Beds.ds to Watch The Ebb Of
Lifs's Current

WAsHrN6Tox, Jan. AT 2 o'clock
ali was quiet at the Blame mansion
But one light, that in the sick cham
Der. was vislble.
WAsHIzsros, Jan. a-rhe news that
James q. Blaine had once more passed
into the valley OF the shadow Of death,
and that even those VINO had been
most sanguIne in anticipation, now
bold no hope Of his recovery, became
known IN Washingtor by means OF
press bulletins. and To the country at
is-gs early this morning. Notwi,h-
standing tho hopeful views OF the fam
ily ard the attending phyHclans, who.
by their direction, had from time TO
time given out information for pub
hcation. no expectation If Mr.. Blaine's
ultimate recovery has heen entertained
BY any one IN . position to acquire
knowledge OF the real facts of his case
snca the issuss of the significant bul.
lean of December IL, which said:
come time past with symptoms of i'm
paired general health" But which
did not clearly indicate the disease of
any particular organ.
Evidence OF local organic disease has
been manifested recently, and il is be-
heved his present condition is due 10
this cause. While there is nothing IN
the disease to warrant the fear of any
very rapid progress, he has shown with
IN = month past more signs of serious
illness than before. 1t is hoped tha,
tins aggrsvation may pass, but no posi-
tive statement can now be made as to
changes which may take place from
day to day.
That sudden Failure.
Next day, sunday. December Is,
Just three weeks ago. there occurred
tnat sudden failure OF the hearts
action which for four hours left the
patient trembling oo the verge of
death. and which broke down much Of
the reticeuce and suppression OF
facts that had heretofore been
maintained. and elicited admis-
slons which pseluded any hope
of recovery or even Of any material
amelioration OF his condition. 1t is .
s.gni ticans indication of the interest
which tho whole country has taken in
the prolonged tight against death of 10
distinguished citizen that since that
day sne press wires leading from Wash
ington to the great news centers OF the
country have never for one single mo-
meus remained unnamed. highland
day operators and reporters have re-
NAMED on duty, relieving each other
without Cessation, aud At stated inter-
walls every night bulletins have been
wired To Indicate at least that no
cnsnge for the worse mad set in. Many
more or less we'll founded assertions of
failing vitality and dangerous relspses
have since then found publicity. but
ncne have been ctficiaily admitted un-
fl last night On tho contrary, the
daily statements of the SICK stateman's
condition have been so progressively on
y scale of "A iittlo better" every morn
ing. that bad they been grounded on a
substantial basis. would long since have
landed the invalid OH pinnacle of
robust health.
Admit Hs Il Worse.
But last night the physicians ad-
nlitied Mr.. Blaine Was worse, and
SION was qualified b. the announce
ment that no immediate danger was
anticipated, and that the doctors would
not return during TIE night, unless
sen. for. The exigencies of the case,
however, brushed ASIDE this intention,
II IL was ever seriously entertained,
and from the hour OF | O'Clock a. m.
one or the other OF the physicians re-
NAMED IN constant attendance at the
bedside, esch relieving tie other. A,
noon the physicians authorized this
statement: Yesterday Mr.. Blaine lost
strength, but last night his weakness
became more decided for few hours,
and he seemed in danger Of q speedy
termination Since morning, however,
ne is somewhat stronger, and at the
present moment shows more decided
evidence of rallying. But no greal
hope can be felt unless the improve
msnt snail become more marked than
a. present and be continued for some
hours. His present symptoms are con
nscted with an irregular ana feeble
action of the heart
Dr Johnston sonsmoued
The bulletin, alarming as it was, ief,
many facts 20 oe supplied by outside
inquiries 1t was about midnight that
his condition became so alarming that
the trained nurse VINO is constantly al
bis bedside had Or. Johnston aroused
and hurriedly summoned. DIR. john
ston arrived st O'Clock and found Mr..
Blaine sinking rapidly and he worked
over him for some time before Signs Of
any recovery became evident. His
condition was so alarming that the
A
before the dawn of Sabbath morning
and remained awake and within imme-
date call of ms bedside all night.
The powerful heart restorative sp-
pied ~ the doctors, which are stated
10 have been the most potent known "a
medical science, were successful IN raj
lying and masking more steady the
feeble snd hful pulsstious Of the
heart, SO that by The time the church
9cers pssssd the family residence on
Lafayette square. Mr. Blaine. condi.
ton wss . shade better. He still
however. so weak aud prostrssed that
the doctors did not dare 70 leave him
ss the ssn,s time fearing another At
tack and that the final summons mishi
come Al any moment
Or. Byass sent For.
At : O'Clock Or. Hyatt, the
other physician was sum
nnoned. At Or. Johnstoon left
the house aud hurried through Ia.
fayette PARK on his way 70 breakfast Al
hrs home . few blocks away. To re
porter who intercepted him, Dr. John
ston sssd that Nr. Blame at that honl
vssin = really dangerous condition
Or. Johnston q very conservative
nan ard this wss the most tecId q