The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-03
DOCTORS ARE HOPEFUL.
Condition of Injured Students Gener-
ally ImprOved-The Gravest Cases.


ally ImprOved-The Gravest Cases.
Under the skilled medical and surgical
attention of the city hospitals, where the
lives of half a dozen young men of Purdue
are poised between life and death, another
day has brought forth hope and encourage
ment to the watchers and anxious parents
and friends. 1t is a battle for life against
heavy odds that each of those young men
Is lighting, but at a late hour last night all
were holding their own and. indeed, with
two exceptions, all had gained a good grip
upon life. The condition Of some of the
men, however, is not beyond doubt, and
the physicians still have grave apprehen-
sion. Aside from the six young men whose
lives are more or less uncertain, the condi-
tons of the other injured students is deci-
dedly better and the doctors and friends
nave no fear as to their speedy recovery.
H GRAvEST CASE.
The gravest case is that of H. O.. Wright,
of Pendleton, Ind, who lies at the City Hos
pital with his spine dislocated, his legs bro
ken and his head terribly cut. Throughout
the day yesterday his condition remained
about the same, but all the doctors could
say was that he is still living. The doctors
think, however, If he lives through the
night, he will take a turn for the better
this morning. He is very weak and the
surgeons nave not dared to perform an
operation upon him. Should he gain
enough strength for the operation ii is
thought he can be pulled through all right.
%. {. Wright, of Marion, is also at st.
Vincent Hospital with a fractured skull,
but a day brought about a great improve
nlent In his condition and the doctors be-
lieve that he is almost past the danger
line.
At the City Hospital, three of the patients
have developed symptoms Of pneumonia,
and their condition warrants much appre-
hension. Hendricks Johnson, of Evansville,
whose shoulder and both legs were crushed
and a rib broken, has taken a slight turn
for the worse. In addition to his injuries,
he has developed a case of pneumonia and
is believed, however. that unless a very un-
expected turn takes place, the doctors will
be able to bring him back to life and
health. Sim, V. Miller. who was also seri-
ously injured and not expected to live, was
much better last night and was progressing
as Well as could possibly be expected. Both
his legs were crushed and he has shown
marvellous strength and grit in the dress
ing of them.
PNEUMONIA DEVELOPED.
Pneumonia has also developed in the case
Of l.. G. Smith, Of Lafayette, and A. L.
/ Hotter, of Oberlin, o., both at the City
Hospital, but the symptoms are slight and
the doctors have hopes that they can pre-
vent further development. Their condition
last night was slightly improved. Holter's
leg was badly lacerated and the perineum
ruptured. Smith was badly injured about
the chest, having one of the chest bones
displaced and his spine injured.
DIR. Cunningham said last night that his
two patients, Charles o. Tangeman, of Gin
%cinnati. and j. b. Knapp, of Evansville,
were getting along nicely and he hoped to
have them out of danger soon. Knapp is
in the most precarious condition and DR..
Cunningham said that although he had no
fear as to his recovery, he would never be
able to have much use of his knee, which
was fractured and which is in very bad
condition. Tangeman was hurt about the
head, but his condition has improved much
in the last twenty-four hours.
DOCTORS PLEASED.
The doctors at the different hospitals are
we'll pleased with the conditions of the men
as a whole and expressed themselves last
night as satisfied that unless something very
unexpected turned I'D, they would be able
to bring all the patients through the terri
bic ordeal. AT the City Hospital. Smith and
johnson are the only two men for which the
doctors feel much apprehension. There are
nineteen in all at the hospital, but the con-
ditions OF the remainder are all that could
be expected. A number of the less seriously
injured will return to their homes to-mor-
row IL their injuries continue to improve.
ID. Il. O'Brien, of Syracuse, n. Y, who had
his left leg injured and his head badly cut,
was abe to be taken to his home yesterday
afternoon. V. Lay, of Lafayette, was also
taken home yesterday. His injuries were
a. AAo LAAAAS aLAtLA LAAAos ~ " lltSt
less seriously injured may be removed from
ST. Vincent's to their homes if their condi-
tons warrant to-day.
INTEREST STILL KEEN.
The general interest that has been taken
in the condition of the young men in the
city hospitals is expressive of the sympathy
the victims of the calamity nave had from
all sources. The hospitals were kept busy
yesterday answering questions over the
telephones as to the injuries of the different
students. The newspapers also had calls
asking about the condition of the injured
men. A great many of these inquiries came
from persons who have no acquaintance
among the list of injured.
Most of those who were not fatally in.
jured rested well yesterday. Although the
injuries in every case were painful, the
suffering yesterday and last night was
nothing compared to the first two days
Some of the patients were given books &c
read yesterday to help pass away the un-
pleasant hours. The spirits OF all the youns
men were higher, although they could MOI
forget the sad result of the awful catas-
trophe.
Many flowers were sent to the hospitals
Sunday and Monday from friends and citi-
zens of the city. Yesterday the girls OF
the art departments of the city schools sent
flowers for each of the injured students
and last night a fragrant bouquet was
placed at the mead OF each bed.