The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-12-04
.HER LIFB EDBING AWAY.
Mother Mckinley VIII Probably
Never Regain Consciousness.
THE PRBsIDBEPsPUBL1o DUTIES

Whatever May BE the Result of His
Mothers Illness, the chief Marls-
trate VIII Return TO washington
For the Opening Of Congress.
Canton. o., Dec president Nc
kiniey viii be in Washington for the
opening Of congress next Monday,
what yer may be the issue Of his
mothers illness. It is necessary for the
president to be at the capital in person
for the opening Of a session of con-
gress to receive the Joint committees
from the two houses, and until this
committee has waited on the president
and received his communication the
regular business Of congress cannot
proceed.
Mother Mckinley Is unconscious, and
the attending physician can give the
family no hope that she will ever re-
turn to consciousness. The president
can do absolutely nothing for her by
remaining here. In view of these facts
the president feels that it is his duty
TO return to Washington, 80 as not to
delay the proper opening Of congress
at the regular time. He has arranged
to leave Canton at 2:O5 o'clock this
afternoon. Assistant Secretary of
State Day who accompanied the presi-
dent from Washington, expects to re-
turn to Canton early next week.
Yesterday was one of great suspense
In the Mckinley family. The nearness
of death was realized, and that there
could be no other than a fatal ending
to the illness with which Mother Nc
Kinley was stricken Thursday. The at
tending physician could give them no
hope Of a different result, and It Is to
.he remarkable constitution of the
woman, who has reached the ripe age
of nearly 80 years without illness of
any consequence, that he attributes the
fact that the flame Of life was not ex-
Hnguished earlier in the illness.
The family surrounded the bedside all
day, watching intently for any rally
from the comatose condition in which
the patient has been almost from the
beginning of the illness, and at short
intervals the doctor called. But the
word from the sick room was almost
without variation, family and doctor
announcing from time to time increas-
ing weakness. Only twice was this
report varied by the announcement of
evidence of partial consciousness. The
first was when President Mckinley
reached the sick room. His sister
Helen announced his arrival, saying:
Mother, here is William. If you rec
ognize him, hold out your hand"
The enfeebled patient seemed to un-
derstand and to make an effort to ex-
tend her hand, which was Immediate
ly grasped by the devoted son. He
thought he felt a responsive Tightening
of her hand about his own as he did
so, but the recognition was so slight
as to be almost imperceptible 1t was
some time later that a second slight
rally seemed to occur. A bunch of
beautiful flowers was sent from the
conservatory of the White House. and
when they were taken into the room
she noted their arrival, and seemed ia
make an effort to reach for one. The
president quickly selected a beautiful
white lily and handed it to her. She
took it in her hand and carried 1t ia
her bosom, it being apparent that she
was conscious of the act and appre-
ciated the flower. Soon after this she
quieted down into rest that seemed
to be almost a natural sleep.
Mrs. A. J. Duncan, of Cleveland, who
was summoned from Chicago, where
she had been visiting, was the last
of the four children to arrive, and she
came too late to be recognized by her
mother. She made no effort on enter
ing the room to gain recognition, be-
cause it was realized that the effort
would not succeed, and that 1t would
only disturb the patient. From that
| time on the gradual weakening OF
| Mother Mckinley continued. How long
| her constitution will Withstand the as.
sauts of the disease no one can tell
but it seems that it cannot be much
| longer. The president has scarcely
been out of the house since his arrival
and has spent most Of the time in his
mothers room. only when he felt the
| need Of a little fresh air and exercise
! did he and his brother Abner leave the
| house for a short walk.
There have been many callers at thG
home, aged lady friends of Mother Nc.
Kinley being numerous among those
who called to offer sympathy The in,
| quiries by telegraph are numerous
and messages are constantly going Il
and from the house.