The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-23
FATHER GREELEY
 AT DEATHS DOOR
Good Priests Life Hangs by a
 Thread
A LITTLE RAY OF HOPE
Father oRelIIy, Who Fell From His Horse Thursday Afternoon at Camp, Was Operated on Yes
 terday-Widespre Sorrow.

The Rev. Father OReilly who fell from his horse at the brigade encampment at' ter the review Thursday afternoon, lies at the point of death at St. Vincents hos pital. but he still has a fighting chance for life.
 At the time the accident happened and through the watches of Thursday night 1t was thought that Father Reilly would recover soon from his injury but yester- day morning his condition was found to be alarming in the extreme.
 Dr. Cunningham Wilson was summoned and he called a number of prominent sur geons into consultation.
 In falling from his horse Father OReillys shoulder struck the ground first and then his head struck.
 Surgical Operation. At 1 o'clock yesterday the surgeons de- cided to trephine the fathers skull ex- pecting to find a clot of blood. Shortly after 1 O clock Dr. Wilson, assisted by Dr.. Presley, performed the operation. The trephining began two inches above the right ear. About two inches of bone was removed but no blood clot was found. After thorough examination the wound
 
 Among the physicians present at the operation were Dr. Riggs, Dr. Torrance, Dr. Peters, Dr. Douglass. Dr. Whelan and Dr. bowman.
 Before the operation was performed the theory was advanced by the doctors that Father O'Reilly had a stroke of apoplexy as he fell from the horse. and as no blood clot was found this theory was strength ened.
 Perfect Operation,
 A surgeon who was present said the operation was perfectly performed. and that all that could have been done for the patient was done.
 During the early afternoon Father OReilly showed no sign of rallying. and there seemed to be no hope that he would live through the night.
 About o'clock, however, the patient gave evidence of consciousness He op- ened his eyes and moved one of his arms Up to this time he had been in stupor. The sisters who were attending him were naturally encouraged at the slight est sign of vitality. As the evening wore on, the improvement was more marked. The patient was able to swallow water, which had not been the case during the afternoon.
 At This Morning.
 A telephone message from St. Vincents at o'clock this morning was to the ef- feet that Father O'Reilly's symptoms had shown some improvement since midnight but that his life was still hanging by a thread
 Father O'Reilly's dangerous condition was terrible shock to the community It was the chief topic on the streets and in the homes of Birmingham yesterday, and many earnest prayers, from Protestants as well as Catholics, were offered for the good mans recovery The popular priest has perhaps a larger personal acquaint- ance than any man in the Birmingham district, and he counts his close personal fri 'ds by the thousands
 Hundreds of persons called at the hos pita1 yesterday to inquire about the pa- tient and to express their tender sym pathy.
 Dr. Lewis c. Morris attended Father O'Reilly Thursday night He accompanied him in the ambulance from the camp to the hospital and remained with him until after midnight. Dr. Morris was also in consultation with the surgeons yester- day.
 The Rev. Father Savage of Montgomery arrived last night to be at the bedside of Father oReilly and Bishop Allen will arrive from Mobile this morning at 5:45 o'clock.
 number of the members of General C1ark's sta1 a5 FOLLOWS: 'l am Just as proud of you boys as if I made you. I tell you, 1t was sight"
 Many of the officers fin camp attended the baseball game yesterday afternoon as the guests of the Birmingham Baseball association. Many expressed pleasure af- ter tho game, and said that 1t was by far the best game they had ever witnessed
 Others of the officers attended the Ca sinO at East Lake last night as the efiesfa of the management, and they also enjoyed the performance. The boxes were re- served for them.