Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-16
GOV. JOHNSON BETTER PRUNING THE BUDGET
He Has Rallied After Critical Commissioners Preparing
Abdominal Operation, Their Annual Estimates.
BUT HIS LIFE is IN DANGER RIGID ECONOMY OBSERVED
Three Hours Yesterday He Was Hoped That Congress Will Find No
Under Knife. Cause for Reductions
INTESTINAL ABsCESs REMOVED RESTRICTION ON PUBLICATION
kilograms Not Be Made
Subnntte to Congress.
Gratis News SomeRe
BUT HIS LIFE IS IN DANGER
For Three Hours Yesterday He Was
Under Knife.
INTESTINAL ABSCESS REMOVED
Hundreds Of kilograms From
Friends and Prominent Demo-
Gratis Seek Latest News.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ROCHESTER. Minn.. September 49,
Gov. John A. Johnson, who was operated
on yesterday for an abscess. was little
better this morning. although he had a
restless night. DR.. William ]. Mayo is
sued the following bulletin at 8 o'clock
this morning:
"Gov. johnson was IN a precarious con-
dition at o'clock this morning. but has
rallied. Temperature. 90: pulse, 1O5."
Attendants at the hospital say the pa
TENTS chances for recovery are good II he
gets through the next twenty-four hours
without a sinking spell.
The condition Of Gov. Johnson was re-
ported at o'clock this morning to be ex-
tremely critical. Mrs. johnson was at his
bedside. and fears for the worst were en-
tertained.
Only one optimistic bulletin concerning
the patient was issued during the night.
and that was given out after midnight by
DR. C. F. McNevin. 1t follows:
Gov. Johnson has taken a turn for the
better. His pulse Is better. being down to
140. His abdominal pains have been re-
lieved by vomiting and he has apparently
successfully passed the first crisis Of the
shock following the operation. He is still
be enabled to get him to sleep. His tenn
perature is almost normal"
Physicians Are Worried.
DR.. William ]. Mayo and DIR. Charles
Mayo. who performed the operation. re-
fuse to make any personal statement this
morning regarding the governors con-
dition or prospects Of recovery. 1t was
easily apparent. however. that both sur
pioA nj
the patient.
ter to the hospital OF the Drs. Mayo who
are famed throughout the surgical world
for their skilled work. A year ago he
underwent an operation for appendicitis
and. symptoms of trouble reappearing,
he was advised to again submit 10 inc
knife.
DR.. Charles Mayo in the case. They is
sued the following bulletin:
The doctors found small. deep-seateo
abscess connected with the intestines 1t
was difficult, serious and prolonged op-
Grafton. Gov. Johnson stood 1t well and
rallied.
THE chances are for his recovery. al
though he will not be out Of danger for
1--WE days. He is suffering great pain.
Asks First for His Wife.
As soon as he regatned CONSCIOUSNESS
the governor asked for hds WIFE. who
went at once to his bedside, where she
remained last night.
The last reports from the hospital were
not encouraging. At $50 O'Clock last night
DR.. c. F. McNevin. the house surgeon.
issued the following bulletin:
Gov. Johnson's condition is very oad.
Pulse Irregular and fast Temperature
subnormal''
An outside surgeon who witnessed the
operation said that it was one OF the
most terrible Of the kind he ever saw. An
old abscess was found that had left MS
tula in the abdomen. and this was re-
moved. as we'll as a hernia growth.
Hundreds Of kilograms are being re-
ceived at the state capitol from all parts
OF the country making inquiries about the
governors condition and expressing hope
for his recovery.
Thought His Trouble Slight.
On Gov. Johnson's return from his
tour to the Pacific coast a month ago
he complained Of feeling q recurrence
of his former internal trouble. 1t was
thought that this was merely some un-
healed complication growing out of his
previous operation for appendicitis. The
grave condition revealed by the sur
geon's knife was not suspected. In fact,
IT had been announced by the governor
that he regarded the operation as only
a slight one that would not detain him
long In the hospital.
Reports Of Mr.. Taft's Boston speech
criticising the governor for his state
ment in the recent Seattle address that
It was time the west threw off the
shackles of the east were not permit
ted to reach Mr.. johnson before going
on the operating table.
Among those admitted to the room
during the operation was Senator H.
H Witherstine of Rochester. physician.
A Very Serious Operation.
The operation was a very critical one.
very critical indeed" said Witherstine.
I'VE hope that Mr.. Johnson will recover.
It looks as IL he should recover. The in
testinal organs were in bad condition.
They were highly infiamed and adhered
to each other as well as to the abdominal
walls The condition is the worst l have
ever seen. and much worse than l had
suspected"
Mrs. Johnson was nearby with a few
friends She bore up bravely, and only
her drawn face indicated the intense
restraint under which she held her feel
ings.
The first operation on Gov. Johnson
was undertaken fifteen years ago. and a
large abscess was removed.