The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-04

Canton, o., Dec. president Nc
Kinley will be in Washington for the
opening of congress next Monday,
whatever may be the issue of his
mothers illness. Although there has
never been in the history of the gov
eminent a case exactly similar, it is
necessary Tor the president to be at
the capitol in person for the opening
of a session of congress, to receive the
two joint committees from the two
houses. and until this committee has
waited on the president and received
his communication, the coming bust
ness of congress cannot proceed.
PRESIDENTS DUTY.
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 so as not to
delay the opening of congress at the
regular time He has arranged to
leave Canton at 2:05 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon, in the special car provided
for him, attached to the regular Penn
sylvania train, which reaches Wash
ingt0n Sunday morning. Assistant
Secretary of State Day expects to re-
turn to Canton early next week. He
will leave Washington as soon as posi-
BILE after attending the functions of the
opening OF congress.
DAY OF SUSPENSE.
Today was one of great suspense in
the Mckinley home. The nearness of
the messenger of death was realized
every moment of the day and that
there could be no other than a fatal
ending to the illness with which
Mother Mckinley was stricken on
Thursday morning. The attending
physician could give them no hope of
different result, and to the remarkable
constitution of the woman, who has
reached the ripe Old age of nearly 50
years without illness of any conse-
quence, he attributes the fact that the
fame Of life was not extinguished
earlier. The family surrounded the
bedside all day, watching intently for
any rally from the cOmatOse condition
in which the patient has been since 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-
FEEBLE RECOGNITION.
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. If
you recognize him hold out your hand"
The enfeebled patient seemed to under
stand, and to make an effort to extend
her hand, which was Immediately
grasped by the devoted son. He
4 thought he felt a responsive tighten
ing of her hand about his own as he
/ did so, but the recognition was so slight
as to be almost iTnperceptible.
I 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 to
] 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 it to
/ her bosom, it being apparent that she
was conscious of the fact and appre-
/ ciated the flower. Soon after this, about
noon, she quieted down into d rest
! that seemed to be almost a natural
sleep.
GRADUAL SINKING.
Mrs. A. ]. Duncan of Cleveland, who
was summoned from Chicago, where
she had been visiting, was the last of
the four living children to arrive. and
/ she came too late to be recognized by
her mother. She made no effort on
/ entering the room to gain recognition
because it was realized that the effort
would not succeed, and that it would
| only disturb the patient. From this
time on the gradual sinking of Mother
Mckinley continued How long the
constitution Will withstand the assault
| of the disease no one can tell, but it
seems that it cannot be much longer.
AT HIS MOTHERS SIDE.
The president has scarcely been out
of the house since his arrival this morn
ing, and spent most Of the day in his
mothers room. Only when he felt the
need of little fresh air and exercise
did he ana 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 today,
aged lady friends of Mother Mckinley
being numerous among those who
called to offer sympathy. Inquiries by
telegraph were numerous and messen-
gers were running to and from the
house all day. If a radical change shall
occur in Mother McKinley's condition,
the doctor thinks it will come we'll into
the morning.
AT MIDNIGHT.
Midnight showed no material change
in the condition of Mrs. Mckinley, or
the course of the disease. 1t 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 1 o'clock
if there is no material change at that
time.
Canton. Dec. 4.-2:SO a. m.-Mother
Mckinley still alive; no perceptible
change.
--os-Sz9-s
: In Burlington, Ia, % or 80 passengers
ON an electric car We're cut and bruised