The Portland daily press., 1897-12-03
PRESIDENTS MOTHER STRICKEN.
Mrs. Nancy Mckinley Suffers Stroke of
Paralysis.


Canton, O., December 2.-Mrs. Nancy
Allison Mckinley, mother of the Presi-
dent, was stricken with paralysis this
morning, and it is feared that her death
is only question of short time. The
paralysis at present is of mild form,
chiefly affecting her vocal chords, but on
account of her extreme age, nearly SO
Years, DR.. Phillips, the attending
physician, can give but little hope to the
family.
Mr.. Abner Mckinley, who is here, i'm
mediately communicated with the Presi-
dent by telephone. The later asked If he
should start at once, but Mr.. Abner Nc
k1nley advised him to wait further re-
port from the physician.
The physician's statement to the family
was that there was little doubt that the
attack would ultimately result in death
but the end, he said, might be in short
time, or it might be in a week, or at a
more distant period
Mother Mckinley for some time has not
been in real good health, having suffered
from mild form of grippe, with which
she has been afflicted, but she was able to
be up and about the house. On Wednes
day she seemed to have materially i'm
proved and her bright and cheerful humor
was especially. noted by the members OF
the household, Mr.. Abner Mckinley re-
marking that he had not seen her in such
apparent good spirits for years.
She retired as usual Wednesday night,
occupying room adjoining that of her
daughter Helen. About the usual rising
hour this morning Mother Mckinley
walked to Miss Helen McKinley's room
and awakened her. The latter addressed
her mother and receiving no reply sur
missed that something was wrong She
Immediately summoned the household
and a physician.
Except in the failu of her vocal
organs, Mrs. Mckinley shows but little
evidence Of the paralysis. She is in full
possession of her mental faculties, recog-
nizing all of the family, and others who
see her. and takes an interest in what
ever transpires. A letter was received
from the President this morning and was
read to her by Miss Helen. who inquired
If she understood the letter. To this
Mother Mckinley nodded her assent. Her
physical powers up to noon were but little
affected by the paralysis. She seems able
to handle herself almost as well as usual
PRESIDENT GREATLY DISTRESSED
Washington, December 2.-President
Mckinley is very much concerned about
the reports of his mother's illness and has
asked to be constantly informed as to her
condition. At any other time he would
go at once to Canton, but the nearness OF
the convening of Congress makes it i'm
portant that he should be here.
The first thing that Congress does on
assembling is to send a communication
from each house to notify the President
that it has met and is ready TO proceed to
business. A recess is then taken by each
house to await the return of the commit
tee. just what would be done in case the
President is away from the Capitol is not
known, as no case of that kind can be
recalled.
Should Mrs. Mckinley grow no worse
the President will either make a flying
trip to Canton or defer visiting his
mother until next week.
THE PRESIDENT GOES TO CANTON
Washington. December 2.-President
Mckinley left the city as 7.20 tonight over
the pennsylvania railroad to hasten TO
the bedside Of his sick mother at Canton,
where he will arrive tomorrow. With
him went Judge Day, assistant secretary
of state, the two occupying Pullman
car attached to the regular train.
The Presidents stay at Canton will de-
pend upon the condition in which he
finds his mother. If she improves he
will return to Washington in time for the
opening OF Congress and later on go
again to Canton
MRS. M'KINLEY WORSE.
Canton, Ohio, December 2.-Soon after
noon Mr.. A Abner Mckinley notified the
President that the sufferer had laped into
semi consciousness. The President re
sponded:
"Tell mother 1 will be there
He is expected to arrive here at 1C
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
DR.. Phillips when he saw the patient
at 6 O'Clock this evening, was of the opin.
ion that the patient could not last more
| than few days and the end might comt
at any time.
| Inquiries concerning the condition O.
Mrs. Mckinley are coming from all partl
of the country a flood of kilograms start
| ing as soon as the news Of her Illness wa
made public.