Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-02-22
ILLNESS OF SENATOR TiLLMAN.
Was Critical Last Week; But Not So
Grave Now.

During last Friday and Saturday,
the condition Of Senator Tillman was
so grave that those around him feared
that the end might come almost at any
moment; but there were encouraging
signs Of improvement on Sunday and
now there Is every reason to hope
that the senator will soon be on his
feet again.
The attack was In the nature Of
paralysis. The doctors gave 1t as their
opinion that there was a surplus Of
blood on the brain, probably only q
slight clot, and the result was the al
most complete paralysis Of the right
side. During nearly all Of Friday, and
part Of Saturday, the senator lay in
comatose condition, and 1t was next to
impossible to tell whether or not he
was conscious, until after the arrival
OF DR.. Babcock, who placed a pencil
in his left hand and asked him to
write his name. He responded with
out very much apparent difficulty,
writing B. r. Tillman, which sufficient
legibility to be easily recognized.
During Sunday, the senator still fur
ther encouraged his physicians by
greeting DR.. Babcock with hello, doc
tori" DR.. Babcock was most agreeably
surprised. Another of the physicians
said to the sick man: II don't suppose
you remember me, senator" Yes,
do" replied the sick man, you are DR..
White" Senator Tillman had seen
DIR. White but once before and his abil-
ity to call his name, showed that he
had been conscious all the while.
Although the doctors were very much
encouraged at the senator's having re-
covered his speech, they did not think
1t best for him to exert himself, and
insisted on quiet.
The report Of Friday and Saturday
in Columbia set politics to buzzins.
and many of the members Of the gen.
eral assembly began to consider the
probability Of having to elect Senator
Tillman's successor. If senator dies
while the general assembly Is in ses-
sion, his successor must be elected at
once; but IL the general assembly is
not in session, the successor must be
appointed by the governor, the ap-
pointment to hold good until the next
meeting Of the general assembly.
An Associated Press dispatch of last
night, describes the present situation
as follows:
The continued improvement In the
condition of Senator Benjamin r. Till
man of South Carolina, has inspired
renewed hope of ultimate recovery from
opinion of his physicians, the chances
are now much in his favor.
There has been some abatement OF
the paralysis and today he rezained
the use of his right arm and leg to a
limited extent. The aphasia has mark
edly improved and he is now able to
speak. The change for the better was
said to be most remarkable and was
attributed to the senator's temperate
life, strong physique and his generally
good condition The favorable devel-
opments in his illness were considered
very exceptional; in fact, his case was
looked upon as one in ten thousand.
He is responding admirably to the
medical treatment and 1t Is said the
power Of speech may practically be re-
established.
DR.. ]. w. Babcock was so encour-
aged by the present condition of Mr..
Tillman that ne left Washington to-
night for Columbia, s. C. Before
boarding his train, he gave the follow
ing statement to the Associated Press:
"Mr. Tillman has not lost any ground
in the last "a hours. On the contrary,
he has gained somewhat in the use of
the right arm and leg, which have
been completely paralyzed heretofore.
His power Of speech also Is improving.
He is taking nourishment well and his
bodily functions are normal. The sem
ator Is sleeping well and the outlook
is very much more encouraging In
every way"
If the senator's condition continues
to improve, he may be able to leave
for his home In South Carolina In a
month or six weeks, but hardly before.
In all likelihood he will not be per-
- Id
seat in congress during the presen
session.