New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-04
PRICE THREE CENTS.
MRS. M'KINLEY SINKING.
THE PRESIDENT WATCHING BY HIS
MOTHERS BEDSIDE

GIVEN BY THE ATTENDING PHYsrcIAN-THB
PRESIDENT DECIDES TO RETURN TO
WASHINGTON FOR THE OPEN
ING OF CONGRESS.
Canton. Ohio, Dec 3-President Mckinley will
be in Washington for the opening Of Congress
next Monday whatever may be the issue Of his
mothers illness. 1t is necessary for the Presi-
dent to receive the joint committee from the
two houses, and until this committee has waited
on him and received his communication the
regular business Of Congress cannot proceed.
Mrs. Mckinley is unconscious and the attend
ing physician can give the family no hope that
she will ever return to consciousness. The Presi-
dent can do absolutely nothing for her by re-
naming with her. In view Of these facts. the
President feels that 1t is his duty to return to
Washington so as not to delay the opening Of
Congress 1T the regular time. He has arranged
to leave Canton at 2:05 o'clock tomorrow after
noon in the special car provided for him. at
tached to the regular Pennsylvania train which
reaches Washington Sunday morning. Assist
ant Secretary Day. who accompanied the Presi-
dent from Washington. expects to return to
Canton early next week.
To-day was one Of great suspense In the Nc
kinney family. The rearness Of death was real
other than a fatal ending to the illness with
which Mrs Mckinley was stricken on Thursday.
The attending physician could give no hope Of
a different result, and II is TO the remarkable
constitution Of the patient. who has reached the
ripe age OF nearly eighty mine years without Ill
ness Of any consequence. that he attributes the
fact that the flame Of life was not extinguished
earlier. The family surrounded the bedside all
day. watching intenty 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 sickroom was almost without
variation the family and the doctor announcing
from time to time increasing weakness.
Only twice was this report varied by the an
nouncement OF evidence Of partial consciousness
The first was when President Mckinley reached
the sickroom. His sister Helen announced his
arrival, saying: Mother, here Is William. II
you recognize him, hold out your hand"
SLIGHT RECOGNITION OF HER SON.
The erfeebled patient seemed to understand
and to make an effort to extend her hand. which
was Immediately grasped by the devoted son
He thought he felt responsive tlgntenin8 OF
her hand about his own as he d,d so. but the
recognition was so slight as to be almost I'M
nerceptible. It was some time later that a SEQ
ond rally seemed to occur. Some beautiful
eowar. were sent from the conservatory
Of the White House. and when they were taken
into the room she noted their arrival and seemed
10 make an effort to reach for one. The Presi-
dent quickly selected white lily and handed It
70 her. She took 1t in her hand and carried It to
her bosom. It being apparent that she was con-
scious OF the act 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, 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
nv her mother She made no effort on entering
tho room to gain recognition because II was
realized that the effort would not succeed and
that 1t would only disturb the patient. From
this time on the gradual weakening OF Mrs
Mckinley continued. How long her constitution
will withstand the assaults OF the disease NO
one can tell, but II seems that it cannot be
much longer TIL. President has scarcely been
out Of the house since his arrival this morning.
and spent most OF the day In his mothers
room
As soon as the special train which the Penn
sylvania Railroad provided from Pittsburs
reached the Canton station. the President hur-
r,ed to the carriage in which Charles R. Miller.
Judge T. T. McCarty and George B. Frease
had gone to meet him. and was driven TO the
house Only when he felt the need OF little
fresh air and exercise did he and his brother
Abner leave the house for a short walk
MANY MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.
There have been many callers at the home
to-day aged women friends Of Mrs. Mckinley
being among those who called to offer SYM
pathy The inquiries by telegraph are numer-
ous and messengers are constantly going to
and from the house.
DR.. Phillips made a call early this evening.
after which he said he could report no distinct
change in the condition Of the patient. She con-
tnues to grow weaker. but may live until MORN
ing. II a radical change occurs he thinks Il
will come we'll along in the morning.
Or. Phillips recalled to the Mckinley
home an hour two after his first visit to-
night when the family evidence Of rapid
sinking in Mrs. McKinleys 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 condition At
10 o'clock tonight he said that she might live
until morning, but he feared not At l0:45
Mrs Mckinley still sinking