The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-04
SHE IS SLOWLY SINKING
The Messenger of Death Is Near
Mother Mckinley.
SHE RECOGNIZED HER SON
The President Will Be Obliged to Be In
Washington Next Monday What
ever May Be the Issue of His
Mothers illness.


ley will be i'm Washington for the open
ing Of congress next Monday. whatever
may be the issue of his mothers ILL
ness. Although there has never been
In the history OF the government case
exactly similar. IL is necessary for the
president to be at the capitol in person
for the opening of the session. 10 re-
ceive the two joint committees from the
two houses. and until this committee
has waited on the president and re-
ceived his communication. the coming
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 II is his
duty TO return TO Washington so as not
To delay the opening of congress at the
regular time. He has arranged % leave
Canton at 2:05 o'clock tomorrow after
noon in the special car attached TO the
regular Pennsylvania train, which
reaches Washington Sunday morning.
Assistant Secretary of State Day ex-
poets to return To Canton early next
week. He will leave Washington as
soon as possible after attending the
functions Of the opening of congress
To-day was one Of great suspense in
the Mckinley home. The nearness of
the messenger of death was realized at
every moment, and that there could be
no other than "A fatal ending To the III
ness with which Mother Mckinley was
stricken. The attending physician could
give them no hope Of "A different result,
and To the remarkable constitution OF
hl h..
old age Of nearly ~ years. without III
| ness of any consequence. he attributes
| the fact that the flame of life was not
extinguished earlier The family sur
rounded the bedside all day, watching
intently for any rally from the coma
tose condition in which the patient has
been since the beginning of the illness.
and at short intervals the doctor called.
kut the word from the sick room was
| almost without variation. the family
physician announcing from time TO
time increasing weakness and sinking
away.
\ Only twice was this report varied by
| the announcement of evidence OF par
| tial consciousness-the first was when
Mr.. Mckinley reached the sick room.
His sister Helen announced his arrival,
saying: Mother, here Is William. II
you recognize him. hold out your hand"
derstand and to make an effort to ex-
tend her hand, which was Immediately
grasped by the devoted son. lie thought
| he felt a responsive tightening of her
hand about his own, but the recogni-
tion was so slight as 10 be almost inn
perceptible. IL was some time later
that a second rally seemed 10 occur A
bunch of beautiful flowers was sent
from the conservatory of the white
| ts,r..
| the room, she noted their arrival and
seemed To make an effort TO reach for
one. The president quickly selected a
beautiful white lily and handed IL to
| her. She took II in her hand and car
ried II to her bosom, II being apparent
| that she was conscious Of the fact and
appreciated the flower. Soon after this.
about noon, she quieted down into a
rest that seemed to be almost natural
sleep.
Mrs. A. j. Duncan. who was sum-
moned from Chicago. where she had
been visiting. was the last of the four
living children tn arrive. and she came
| too late to be recognized by her mother.
| She made no effort to enter the room to
gain recognition. because IL was real
ized that the effort would not succeed.
and that IL would only disturb the
patient. From this time on the grad
| uHl SINKING nf Mutnef Mckinney con-
tlnued. How long the constitution will
| Withstand the assault Of the disease no
one can tell. but 1t seems that IL cannot
be much longer.
The president has scarcely been out
Of the house since his arrival this morn
ing, and spent most of the time In his
mothers room. Only when he felt the
need of "A little fresh air. did he and his
brother Abner leave the house for a
short walk along the street at the side
OF the house.
There have been many callers at the
home to-day. aged lady friends Of
Mother Mckinley being numerous
among those who called to offer SYM
pathy. Inquiries by telegraph were nu-
merous and messengers were running
to and fro all day. IL a radical change
should occur In Mother Mckinleys
condition. the doctor thinks IL will come
We'll into the morning.
Midnight showed no material change
In the condition of Mrs. Mckinley. or
the course OF the disease. IL is surely
wearing her out. and she shows greater
weakness every hour.
The president is still In her room. but
will retire To secure some rest at
o'clock If there is no material cnange
at that time.
Canton. Ohio. Dec. 4. 8 a. m.-Mothei
Mckinley is still alive: there is NO per
| epptiblp change.