The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-17
GREAT TENOR FIGHTING
GRIM BATTLE WITH DEATH

New York, February l6.--Enrico
Caruso, Metropolitan Opera star, whose
voice is known around the world to-
night was fighting grim battle with
death
Stricken last night with a heart at
tack. following pleurisy. the tenor
tossed on Ills bed I'll the Vanderbilt no
lte1 all day, large oxygen tanks stand
ling in the sick yoom. the last defenses
against death.
| Doctors held anxious consultation
and expressed BELIEF that The crisis
would come late tonight. The last
rites already have Been administered
All day the lobby Of the hotel pre-
scented an atmosphere Of tense but sup
pressed anxiety. Attendants bearing
floral tributes and kilograms from
scores OF friends, slipped quietly
through the crowds. Even the orches-
ira downstairs, which gave a number
Of operate selections made famous by
Carusos mellow voice, played in muf-
filed tones, although the sick man was
far beyond the sound--on the eight
eenth floor.
CLOSEST FRIENDS BARRED
During the day several OF his closest
friends from the Metropolitan and Chi
cago Opera companies, with Keen 500
Ilicitude plainly written ON their faces
jvanly sought admission to Caruso
chambers. Although Antonio Scott
| and Enrico Scognamilio were allowed
to visit his bedside when 1T was
thought he might not rally, his ply
! sicians turned back all callers when
their patients appeared to have passed
/ the crisis. The only exception to this
rule was made for Park BENJAMIN, Jr.,
brother of Mrs Caruso, who was al
flowed to make two brief calls during,
! the day.
Mrs. caruso has not left hsr hus-
bands bedside since the first severe
collapse last night. She persistentiy
refused to leave him a minute, despite
her lack Of sleep It was said late this
afternoon that she was beginning To-
show the terrible emotional strain, bug
she managed to conceal it from her
husband.
ANXIETY UNIVERSAL
The universal anxiety over Mr.. Ca.
)rusos condition was obvious not only
from newspaper readers everywhere
lin the hotel lobby. on the streets, in
| the subways but also from deferen-i
ltial questions from Italian laborerS
lwho shyly requested or the door at
itendant If he had heard from the sing
lers apartment. In and out Of the
metropolitan Opera house passed ~
continual string Of persons, asking the
one question: rs Caruso still alive?'
| The tenseness was somewhat re-
lieved late this afternoon when Bruno
lzirato, Caruso's private secretary.
came down stairs for the first time
| Since his chiefs relapse and am
Inounced that he now had great
hopes"
! This wasviater supplemented BY an
official bulletin by the hotel physi-
clan. who said:
Mr.. Caruso is still holding his gain.
= His heart action Is fully as good ~ ~
was this morning
/ SIPS HOT COFFEE
Mr.. Caruso awoke late in the after
I noon, after comfortable sleep and
took few sips OF hot coffee. Father
Morinelli, who administered extreme
JUNCTION last night during the singers
lsinking spell, ana Father Meln IL Pat
Sterson, N. J.. personal friend were
allowed to pay short call while Mr..
Caruso was Dropped up TOR this slight
incurisliment
/ Upon leaving his room. Father Nor.
iinelli said the tenor's morale was ex-,
,tremely satisfactory.
I After they had left Caruso ro-
marked:
| II the priest doesn't come again. Il
am not at all worried feel that &
have made my peace with my 0od..
n The only members Of the Immediate
Family who have been win Mr.. Cnruao,
since he WAS stricken. he said. Arc
Mrs. Carusc and their 14-montks- ala
daughter, Gloria. Enrico IT.. stu
ldent in Culver Military academy. In
ldianapolis Is expected to reach Nav