The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-13


At $50 last night the physicians an
nounced officially that the Presidents con-
dition was not so good The problem Of dis
posing of the food in the stomach was be-
coming a serious one and the danger of
heart failure increased.
AS midnight approached the situation
was growing critical. Calomel and oil were
given to flush the bowels. and digitalis to
quiet his heart However, just before
midnight the President had two operations
of the bowels, which relieved him very
much and the midnight bulletin was more
favorable. 1t stated that all the conditions
had improved since the last bulletin.
1t was believed then that the opening
of the bowels would have the effect of
allaying the wild pulsations of the heart.
His pulse did drop to 12O and the prospect
was slightly brighter But, owing to the
Presidents extreme weakness and his IA
tigue, no attempt was made to conceal the
serious apprehension which was felt. The
feeling of depression increased in volume
and intensity
Secretary Cortelyou insisted that the
truth should be made public by the doc
tors, and tie bulletins themselves were
telling their unfortunate story all too
plainly. There was still hope that the
worn and weary patient would be better
in the morning, and at midnight Secretary
Cortelyou said it was not probable that
another bulletin would be issued until
morning
Hope came once more to the breasts of
those who had waited for hours in anxiety.
The physicians parted for the night and
every sign was a cheering one. There had
been disquieting pulse action for several
hours, but practically all of the unfavorable
symptoms had been attributed to the stom-
ach trouble, and it was thought they would
probably disappear with the removal of the
cause which was supposed to have created
them.
The unofficial reports at o'clock and / 80
o'clock were both of satisfactory nature
, and the watchers gathered about the house
prepared for an uninterrupted night.
Another thunder storm came out of the
North, and a few minutes play of the
lightning brought rain in a heavy down
pour. A blustery wind blew UP from the
west to complete the cheerlessness of the
night
Shortly after o'clock the physicians and
nurses detected a weakening of the heart
action. The pulse futtered and weakened
and the President sank toward collapse.
The end appeared to be at hand. Res
toratives were speedily applied, and the
physicians fought the battle with all the
reserve force of science Action was i'm
mediate and decisive. Digitalis and strych-
nine were administered, and as a last re-
sort saline solution was injected into the
veins
A general alarm went speeding to the con-
sulting physicians and trained nurses as fast
as messengers. the telegraph and the tele-
phone could carry it. The restoratives did
realized that the President was in an ex-
tremely critical condition. This realization
with the shadow of death behind it led to
another call, and that a summons to the
Cabinet. relatives and close personal
friends of the President
The messengers who returned with the
doctors and nurses were hurried off after
those within reach, and to those who were
absent from the city kilograms conveying
the painful tidings were quickly trans
mitted by telegraph.
The scene about the house and in the
stormswept street was dramatic in its ac-
tion and setting. and the spirit of the trag.
edy was on those who looked upon it.
A messenger, who darted into the rain
and was whisked away in an electric cab
gave the outside watchers the first intima-
tion of the i'll news from within. At the
same moment new lights burned within
the windows of the Milburn residence
Soon the word was passed out that the
President had partly collapsed and was
critically i'll. 1t was a confirmation that
was hardly needed, for the fact had beer
established by action that needed no words
The newspaper correspondents who had