The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-04

CANTON, o., Dec. S,-Presldent Nc
KlnIey will be in Washington for the
opening of Congress next Monday,
whatever may be the issue of his moth
ers illness. Although there has never
been In the history of the government a
case exactly similar, 1t Is necessary for
the President 10 be at the capital in
person for the opening OF session of
Congress 10 receive the Joint commit
tees from the two houses, and that until
this committee has waited on the Pres
!dent and received his communication,
the regular business OF Congress can
not proceed.
Mother Mckinley Is unconscious and
the attending physician can give the
family no hope that she will ever return
10 Consciousness, The President can do
absolutely nothing for her by remain
ing here. In view OF these facts, the
President feels that II is his duty to
return to Washington so as not to de-
lay the proper opening OF Congress at
the regular time. He has arranged to
leave Canton at 2:0j o'clock tomorrow
afternoon in the special car provided
for him, attached to the regular Penn
sylvanIa train, which reaches Wash
ngton Sunday morning. Assistant
Secretary of State Day, who accom-
panied the President from Washington,
expects to return to Canton early next
week, He Will leave Washington as
nj al aN
functions of opening Congress.
To-day was one OF great suspense in
the Mckinley family. The nearness Of
the messenger of death was realized
every moment Of the day, and that
there could be no other end than fatal
ending of the illness with which Mother
Mckinley was stricken Thursday morn
ing. The attending physician could
give them no hope OF n different result
and II Is to the remarkable constitution
of the woman, who has reached the
ripe old age Of nearly 80 years without
illness of any consequence, that he at
tributes theSfact that the flame OF life
was not extingulshed earlier in the i'll
ness. The family surrounded the bed
side all day watching intently for any
rally from the comatOse condition In
which the patient has been almost from
.he 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-
ing weakness and sinking away.
only twice was this report varied by
aI,a a0,N .,p u
tial consciousness. The first was when
President Mckinley reached the sick
room. His sister Helen announced his
arrival, saying: Mother. here is Will
lam. II you recognize him hold out
your hand" The enfeebled patient
seemed to understand and to make an
effort to extend her hand, which was
Immediately grasped by the devoted
soT. He thought he felt a responsive
tightening OF her hand about his own
as he did so, but the recognition was SO
slight as to be almost imperCeptible.
It was some time later that second
rally seemed to occur. A bunch of
beautiful flowers were sent from the
conservatory of the white house, and
when they were taken into the room
che noted their arrival and seemed to
make an effort to reach for one. The
President quickly selected a beautiful
white lily and handed 1t TO her. She
took II In her hand and carried II to
her bosom. It being apparent that she
was conscious Of the act and appreci1-
ted the flower. Soon after this. about
noon, she quleted down in 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 living children to arrive, and
She came too late TO be recognized by
her mother. She made no effort on en-
lorlng the room to gain recognition,
because II was realized that the effort
wouldnot bcgucceHsful aud that II would
only disturb the patient. From this
time on the gradual weakening of
Mother Mckinley continued How long
her constitution Will stand the assaults
~ the disease, no one can tell, but It
seems that II cannot be much longer
The President has scarcely been out Of
lhe house since his arrival this morn
Ing and spent most OF the day In his
mothers room.
A. soon MS the special train which the
Ponnsylyanla road provided from PITTS
ulrgb, with Tralnmaster ] X. Turner
IN charge reached the Canton station,
'dr President hurried TO the carriage
y which ChuIlcR H. Miller Judge y II.
MtGarly and Editor George B Frcase,
NJ 'ho Repository, had gone to meet
num- aad was driven to the house, Only
"hph he f6lt the need Of q little fresh
alr ana oNerCIHc did ho ana his brother
AOhor leave tho house for II short walk
o.0nE the street ut the side OF the
hDuuo.
There have been many callers at tho
nome to-day. aged lady friends Of
Mulhor Mckinley being numerous
among those who called 10 offer sym
p"''ly. The Inquiries by telegraph arc
numerous ana messengers nro going 10
"9l from the house all tie time,
W Phillips mndc call carly this
,N'hInF after which he said hn could
i.pofl no distinct chnngc from what he
naU previously described She gun-
lNlul to gr0w weOltcr but may i've
NNllI morning II n radical change oc-
,OIn ho lhlnhE N win como well into the
MufuInr
Midnight showed no material change
'I' condition NJ Mrs Mckinley Or
I' '0urfo NJ tlit 1lHcnsc n ~ nurrlv
0.lIInH nor out aud hho shown greater
W,"No.a svory hour Who President lH
I.''I ID hnr ru0m but win RETRO ~ HN.
, ,"'' .0m. rusl " there ~ no material