The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-08-02

day.
New York, Aug. 2.-The last word
received from Naples was that Enrico
Caruso was improving nicely and that
his voice would not be permanently
impaired by his illness. When the ten
or sailed from New York for Italy
on May 2S, he appeared to still be
very Ill and weak although his ply
siclans insisted that he was on the
road to rapid recovery. and would soon
regain mis- health abroad.
Caruso's illness first began during
last Christmas week, when he suffered
an attack of pleurisy and was con-
fined to his suite in the Hotel Wander
bilt. His condition growing worse, the
singer a few days later underwent an
operation 10 relieve him of an accu-
mutation of pus in the plueral cav
ity, exudate having collected between
the pluera and the lungs themselves. 1t
was deemed advisable to operate again
for a secondary abscess.
After these operations, he continued
in a serious condition for more than
week and hovered between life and
death.
Early in February there was another
sudden turn for the worse and he suf-
fered an attack of heart failure. His
friends were called to his bedside and
two priests visited him and one ad
ministered extreme JUNCTION, the belief
being the singer was near death.
A group of specialists were con-
stantly at the bedside of Caruso fight.
ing TO save hi/ life. They were aided
in their work by the use of oxygen
which was administered TO the pa
tent in an effort to carry him through
| the crisis.
During the latter part OF February
the singers condition improved slow
" but steadily, although 1t was neces-
sary for him TO undergo third opef
alton for a small abscess.
A few weeks later he was removed &c
Atlantic City where he rested pre-
paratory to his return to Italy.
Word of the first illness Of Carusc
at the time he was stricken with plue'
risy came as a shock TO his many
friends in this country and abroad as
he had been singing with the Metro
politan Opera Company during tht
present season here and In Philadei'
phia and was enjoying one OF the oes'
seasons OF his life.
Messages from all parts OF the worlc
inouirine as 10 mis- illness we're re
ceiyed at the Caruso apartment. They
came from London, Paris, Mexico CITY
Rome, Milan, Buenos Aires, Havana
and many other cities. They wer'
sent not only by persons known in th'
world Of music, but from many ad
mirers who had sat in his audience
at some time in the 25 years OF nj
career as an opera star.
Up to the time OF his sailing for ltal!
reports were current that Caruso
voice had not withstood the ravage'
Of his many weeks OF illness. Thes'
were stoutly denied by his friends.
Confident Of His Return
Police reserves and dock guards haS
great difficulty in holding In ehee'
a great crowd OF admirers as the!
greeted Caruso when he went aooar'
the steamship, where his most ina
yna,e friends told him and Mrs. Caru
so farewell.
He appeared confident that h
would return 10 America next iall ans
again take his place with the Metro
poli,an Opera Company.
shortly, however. after the teno
had arrived in Italy reports ocIa'
20 drift back 20 this country that n
would not sing again before the Amer
ican public in his old voice. Caruso
however. Issued denial OF these re
ports. declaring that when ! want =
show I have not lost my voice, l shaI
do 80 at the proper time and place
Early this month word came from
italy that Caruso was not recoverin
ms rapidly as had been expected an
seemed depressed. but friends declare
his voice was returning and that n
sang a short time each day.
Reports reaching Rome at this tim
stated that caruso would be able I
sing In New York by next winter. al
though friends admitted reluctantly
would never be quite the same again
caruso was also reported TO be hvin
n secluded life in hotel near Naples
never mixing with the other guest
and taking his meals In his irivat
suite.
News Of Carusos death on the heel
Of continur>i reassuring reports fror
Italy, came as a stunning shoek I
the musical world. only last Thursda
photographs Of the singer were pub
lished here and they showed him eheei
fui and in robust health.
His friends recalled today tina
when he was critically III last winte
he often expressed the sentiment tina
he would prefer to die In his ow
sunny Italy for which he always hei
deep affection.
The breakdown in the tenor's hsalt
Hast winter followed a series Of inis
haps to Caruso which illuminated o
Dec. IL in Brooklyn. when he burs
CONTINUED on pase y