The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-07
MRS. MCKINLEY PARALYzED
Tho Mother Stricken Down.
The President Leaves washington for
Her Home

Canton, o.. December Mrs. Nancy
Allison Mckinley, mother of the presi-
dent, was stricken with paralysis this
morning and it Is feared tina her
death Is only a question Of a short time.
The paralysis at present is Of but a mild
form, but. owing to her extreme age
nearly SO years-Dr. Phillips, the at
hope to the family. Mr.. Abner Nc
Kinley, of New York has been visiting
her for a few days and when his mother
was stricken this morning, Immediately
communicated with the president by
telephone. The physicians statement
to the family was that there was little
doubt that the attack would Ultimately
result in death but hat there was no in
dication yet as to just when the end
might come.
Except in the failure of the vocal or
gans. Mrs. Mckinley shows but little
evidence Of the paralysis. She is in
full. possession of her mental faculties.
recognizing all of the family and others
who see her, and taking an interest in
whatever transpires. a letter vas re-
ceived from the president this morning
and was read to her by Miss Helen
Mckinley who inquired if she under
stood the letter. To this she nodded her
assent.
soon after noon, Mr.. Abner Mckinley
notified the president that the sufferer
had lapsed into semi-consciOusness and
promised to communicate further.
What was feared this morning when
Mrs. Mckinley was stricken with a
slight attack of paralysis is tonight re-
garded as almost a certainty. hat is,
the early death OF the presidents moth
er. AS the day advanced she grew
worse.
DR.. Phillips tonight expressed the be-
lief that death was inevitable from the
present illness, and that the only I'M
certainty was the time when it would
occur. He thinks the developments of
the night will decide the matter. He
expects nc material change before
morning. Should the morning condi-
ton be for the worse, he expects the
patient to sink very rapidly. The dis
ease, he says; is not primarily paraly-
sis, but senility, the result of old age,
which has produced the partial paralxr
sis.
DR.. Phillips said tonight: Mrs. Nc
Kinley is barely conscious and is sink
ing very fast. She may last longer
than morning, but the indications at
this time are to the contrary"
Washington, December 2.-PreSident
Mckinley left the city at 1920 o'clock
tonight owe the Pennsylvania railroad
to hasten to the bedside of his sick
mother at Canton, where he will arrive
tomorrow. With him went Judge Day,
assistant secretary Of state, the two
occupying the Pullman car Davy
Crockett, attached to the regular train.
The president had made hurried ar
engagements for his departure and dur
ing the afternoon disposed of a large
volume Of business awaiting his atten-
ton. He reached the station unattend-
ed, a few minute before the time for
the train to leave. Desiring to avoid
any demonstration the president in
the cOachman to drive to the
baggage entrance where Assistant Sec
rotary Day, Secretary Porter and Ex-
ecutive Clerk COrtelyou awaited him.
The presidents stay at Canton will de-
pend upon the condition in which he
his mother. If she improves he
will return to Washington in time for
the opening Of congress and later go
again to Canton.
The absence Of the president will not
prevent his annual meaSage being sent
to congress. This can be done by the
to the president. The con-
greSSiOnal committees which will be !
appointed to notify the chief executive
congress is ready to proceed to
business, can communicate with him |
by telegraph.