MARK TWAIN BACK IN FEEBLE HEALTH
Distinguished Author Returns from Bermuda in Weakened State from Heart Trouble.
CARRIED OFF THE STEAMER
Physicians Meet Him and He is Taken Immediately to His Home at Redding, Conn.
Samuel L. Clemens, (Mark Twain,) humorist and author, stricken in health, arrived yesterday from Bermuda on the Oceana. He was so ill when the vessel reached her pier in the morning that he could not be removed until the physicians summoned by wireless got to the pier, at the foot of West Tenth Street.
After an examination they consented to his removal. He was carried from the liner and taken across the city in a coach ambulance. He left on the 3:32 P. M. train for his home, at Redding, Conn.
Mr. Clemens's condition, it is admitted, is serious, but his physicians believe he will improve in the quiet of his country home. He has angina pectoris.
The author made the voyage from Bermuda ill in his stateroom. He spent the Winter in Bermuda, going there immediately after the sudden death of his daughter. He was accompanied only by Albert Bigelow Paine, the author, who has been acting as his secretary.
When the Oceana reached her pier Edward E. Loomis, Mr. Clemens's nephew, and the latter's wife and Robert Collier were on hand to meet him. They went at once to his cabin. A few minutes later Dr. Edward S. Quintard of 145 West Fifty-eighth Street, a long-time friend of the author, and Dr. Robert H. Halsey of 118 West Fifty-eighth Street arrived and went to Mr. Clemens's room.
The voyage north had not improved the condition of his health. About a week ago he had a severe attack, and from this he did not readily recover. The recent high temperature in Bermuda, according to Mr. Paine, had proved too much for him and went far toward bringing on the attack. Mr. Paine went to Bermuda about two weeks ago, when the news came that Mr. Clemens was failing in health. After the attack of a week ago the physicians concluded that the salt air was not good for him and ordered his immediate return to this country. At Mr. Clemens's request it had been planned that he was to return on the Bermudian, which is scheduled to arrive here on Monday. The author and Capt. Frazer, the skipper are old friends. Later it was decided that it would be dangerous to delay his homecoming.
Embarking on the Oceana was quite a task for the sick man. The vessel because of her great draught cannot go alongside a pier. She anchors in deep water, and her passengers are taken out to her in a tender. Mr. Clemens made the trip in a special tug, and was so weak that he had to be carried on board the Oceana.
On Wednesday when the vessel was passing through the Gulf Stream, with a fairly rough sea running, Mr. Clemens had a sinking spell. For a time, it is said, there was fear that in his weakened condition he would not rally.
Mr. Clemens occupied a starboard stateroom amidships. When the steamer got in his relatives and the physicians found him dressed and lying in his berth, propped up with pillows.
The Oceana reached her pier about 10:15 A. M., but it was not until afternoon that he was removed. It is said that the excitement of arriving proved a severe strain, and his departure to the station was preceded by another sinking spell.
"I have made but a superficial examination of Mr. Clemens," said Dr. Quintard. "When he gets home we will make a thorough examination of his heart. He has angina pectoris, which is a dangerous state for him. He looks much better than I expected he would."
Mr. Clemens was carried from the Oceana in an invalid chair by two stewards. He was assisted into the coach and with Dr. Halsey started for the Grand Central. Mr. Clemens appeared to be extremely weak. He had to rest a few minutes in the invalid chair on the pier before he could make the effort of getting into the vehicle.
On reaching the railway station a few minutes after 3 o'clock Mr. Clemens raised his arms feebly while two station attendants lifted him from the carriage to a wheel chair. They took him directly to a drawing room car.
_____
Special to The New York Times.
REDDING, Conn., April 14 - When the Pittsfield Express, on which Mr. Clemens came from New York reached here, he was carried form the car by his secretary, Albert Bigelow Paine, and his butler, placed in a carriage, and driven to his home, Stormfield, which is about three-fourths of a mile from the railroad station. A physician and nurse were also in the party.
The author appeared to be weak and haggard, but sat up during the half-mile drive, as he seemed to be more comfortable in that position. He attendants said that he stood the ride from New York very well and that the drive in the air seemed to relieve, to some extent, the difficulty he had in breathing during the trip up from Bermuda. The attending physician said that while there was no immediate danger, Mr. Clemens was seriously ill.
This is the first time he has been in Stormfield since the death of his daughter, Miss Jean Clemens, he having going to Bermuda directly after her funeral.
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