The Portland daily press., 1897-12-04


Showed She Recognized Her Son When
He Arrived--President viii BE Present
at Opening of Congress.
Canton, Ohio. December 3-President
mckinley will be in Washington for the
opening Of Congress next Monday, what
over may be thes result of his mothers
illness. 1t Is necessary for the President
TO be at the capitol in person for the
opening of g. session of Congress to re-
ce1ve the joint committee 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 fam
lily no hope that she will ever return to
| consciousness. The President can do ab-
solutely nothing for her by remaining
here. In view of these facts, the Presi-
dent feels that it is his duty to return to
| Washington, so as not to delay the proper
opening of Congress at the regular time.
He has arranged to leave Canton at
2.05 tomorrow afternoon in the special
car provided for him, attached to the reg
ular Pennsylvania train which reaches
Washington Sunday morning. Today
was one of great suspense in the MoKin-
10y family. The nearness of death was
realized. 1t is due to the remarkable
constitution of the woman who has
reached the age of nearly 80 years. with
out illness Of any consequence that the
Battending physician attributes the fact
! that the flame of life was not extin-
guished earlier in the Illness. The fami-
~ surrounded the bedside all day, watch
ling for any rally from the conatose
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 in
creasing weakness. Only twice was this
report varied by the announcement of evil
dence of partial consciousness. The
first was when Presidents Mckinley
announced his arrival, saying: "Moth
er, here is William. If you recognize
him, hold out your hand. =
The patient seemed to understand and
to make an effort to extend her hand
which was grasped by the son. He
thought he felt responsive Tightening
! of her hand about his own as he did SO,
but the recognition was almost i'm
! perceptible. Some time later a second
slight rally seemed to occur. A bunch of
beautiful flowers was sent from the con-
servatory of the White house. and when
they were taken into the room she seemed
to make an effort to reach for one. The
President handed to her a white lily. She
took it in her hand and carried it to her
bosom, it being apparent that she was
conscious of the act and appreciated the
| flowers. Soon after this she quieted down
into rest that seemed to be almost a
natural sheep. Mrs. A. j. Duncan of
Cleveland, who was the last of the four
children to arrive, came too late to be
recognized by her mother. From this
time on, the gradual weakening of Moth
er Mckinley continued How long her
constitution will Withstand the assaults
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 this morning
and spent most Of the day in his moth.
er's room. Only when he felt the need of
q little fresh air and exercise did he and
his brother Abner leave the house for
a short walk.
There have been many callers at the
home today, aged lady friends OF Mother
Mckinley being numerous among those
who called to offer sympathy. The in
quiries by telegraph are numerous and
messengers are constantly going to and
from the house.
DR.. Phillips made call early this eve
ming after which he said he could report
no distinct change in the condition of
the patient. She continues to grow
weaker, but may live until morning.
II a radical change occurs he thinks it
will come well into the morning.
DR.. Phillips was recalled to the McKtn-
ley hcme an hour or two this after his
first visit tonight, when the family saw
evidence of rapid sinking in Mother Nc.
Kinley's condition. He found her pulse
very slow and weak, and the evidence of
weakening more visible than ever. He
called still later and found the same con-
ditions. At 10 the doctor said she might
live till morning, but he feared not.
Canton, December Sat midnight
there is no material change in the con
dition OF Mrs. Mckinley. She shows
greater weakness every hour The Presi
dent Is still in her room, but will retire
to secure some rest at one o'clock if there
Is no material change at that time.
Canton, Ohio, December Ala. so a. M
bulletin-Mrs. Mckinley Is still living,
but is growing steadily weaker.
WE ACCEPT ALI