The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-06-18
ATKINSON UNDER THE KNIFE.
THE GOVERNOR SUBMITS TO AN
OPERATION.

HIS Chances Between Life and Death I
about Even-He Is Carried From /
the Executive Mansion to "a Sani- 1
tarium Across the street at Night l
10 Have the Operation Performed.
He signs a Respite for Il Man SEN
fenced 40 Hang.
Atlanta. Ga, June 17-Gov. Atlzinson's
condition was so much improved this
morning that his physician, after consul |
tati0n. decided not to perform any opera
ton for the present. His suffering yes
terIay morning and a portion Of last
nfaht was so intense that his strength
was well nigh exhausted this morning
when the physicians met at the mansion
% consider the operation. and in view OF
the favorable turn of the case they thought
It would not be advisable to perform the
operation while the governor was in such
a state of exhaustion.
This afternoon about o'clock Gov. At |
kinson fell asleep and from that time
on throughout the day he has been slowly
rallying If there is no recurrence of the !
attack which brought him so near Deaths
door yesterday morning, he will soon re-
cover his strength. The physicians, how
ever are apprehensive of another attack
coming on in about forty-eight hours
from the first one and until that time
passes they will give the patient the clos
est attention and nursing. If there should
be a recurrence of the spasms an opera
ton will have to be performed at once.
DR. North of Newman, Gov. Atkinson's |
family physician, has been with him all
day to-day, besides the other surgeons.
Dr. North is more familiar with the gov
ernor's case than the others and has been
Of most valuable aid in ministering to him.
The three brothers of the governor ar
rived early this morning and will remain
until he is fairly on the road to health
again.
Mrs. Atkinson. his mother, is now in
Virginia. She was telegraphed for yes
terady, but upon the governors improve
ment to-day, a message was sent her to
that effect, and she will not come unless
sent for again.
The executive mansion has been visited
by a constant stream or callers to-day
making inquiries as to the governors
condition, while many kilograms from out
Of town have been received by Mrs. At
klnson. Among the earliest callers this
morning was ex-Gov Northen. The
greatest solicitude has been expressed on
every side and the inquiries at the news
papers and at the physicians for news
from the sick chamber have been constant
all day long.
Atlanta, Ga, June II. u:5O p.
m.-The physicians attending Gov.
Atkinson, after watching his con-
dtion closely throughout the day held
consultation tonight at s o'clock and
unanimously decided that an immediate
operation was advisable. Doctors Willis f.
Westmoreland and +. w. McRae were call
ed into this consultation by the other ply
sicians, Drs. Holmes, NicolsOn, Cooper,
Harris and North, who had been in attend
ance since the first attack. Both DR. West
moreland and DR.. McRae agreed that the
operation was necessary, and that the gov
ernors condition could not be more favor
able than tonight.
Gov. Atkinson, who has been conscious
and in fun possession of all his faculties
despite his terrible suffering, expressed his
willingness to submit to the judgment of
the physicians. Mrs. Atkinson and the fam
lily, who have been 10th to agree to the
operation, acquiesced, and at $3.50 o'clock
tonight the governor was removed to the
operating room of the sanitarium of DR.. ].
B. S. Holmes, across the street from the
mansion, where all the arrangements for
the trying ordeal had been prepared.
At the time of his removal Gov. Atkin-
sons pulse and temperature were remark
ably good, considering what he has gone
through within the past thirty-six hours,
and the physicians agree that the operas
ton can hardly fail to prove successful.
This afternoon application was made
Tor respite for John Ford sentenced to
be hanged at Bainbrdge, Decatur coun-
y, next Friday. At the governors drcc>
ton Secretary Galloway made out the or
der for a thirty-day respite tonight, an
GOV. Atkinson signed it after he had been
placed on the stretcher and was about to
b carried to the operating room.
Ihe governor was perfectly calm and
collected, expressing to those about him
confidence in the result or the operation.
A the stretcher was being carried out
the governor gave instructions TO the
bearers how to carry him, cautioning
them not to trip on rough places in the
walk where approached. Mrs. Atkinson
ana the family, with the governors three
brothers, accompanied him to the sani-
tarium, where he will remain until out
OF all danger.
Ether was administered and the opera
uon was performed about 11:30 o'clock
by Drs. Westmoreland, Cooper, Nicolson,
Holmes, McRae, Harris and North 1t
was pronounced successful. and at mid
night the governor is resting well, still,
however, partially under the influence of
the ether 1t will be several days before
the final success of the operation can be
Hscertained, but all the physicians are
confident.
Atlanta, Ca, June IS, 1870 a. m.-The
governor has not rallied since the opera
Ton at II O'Clock. He could not have
hVed without the operation, and the
chances al 1870 O'Clock are rather against
MN. The physicians are watching every
pulsation, and hope to pull him through.