Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-12-18
OUR STRICKEN RULER.
The Venerable Mother of Presi-
dent Mckinley Dead.
The End Comes PninlessIy In the
Early sabbath Dnwn-Her Dis
tinEuishcd Son and other
Children Present.

Canton, o.. Dec. 13.-Nancy Allison
Mckinley, the aged mother of president
Mckinley passed away at 2:Os o'clock
Sunday morning. The nations chief
executive, the son whom she had
lived TO see in the white house, was at
her bedside for hours before the end
came. The mother passed away with
her hand in his, but the end was marked
by the unconscousness that denotes
paralysis from acute old age. The
death scene was touching and impress
sive one. The members of the McKin-
ley family, including children, grand
children and other relatives were
grouped about the bedside, and as the
hours of the night wore on it was re-
allied that the sufferer could not live
until daylight. President Mckinley
was a constant attendant at his
mothers side, and vainly tried to secure
some signs of recognition.
Shortly after midnight a change was
noticed in the condition of the fast sink
Ing patient, and those who watched the
fickering of the vital spark saw that
the end was at hand. The deep, palsied
Steep III NlllCIl Slt ldlH lOl
grew more deathlike. Physicians and
relatives could do nothing but watch
for the final flight of the spirit. The
president held one withered hand in
both his own. and bent low over the
face of the dying woman. At eight
minutes past two there came n sigh,
and the breath, hardly noticeable for
hours. ceased. Nancy Allison Mckinley
was dead.
About the sacred couch, now the bier
of the mother who had rounded out
long life of usefulness. were the chill
dren and other relatives. Around the
ieathbed when the final scene was en-
acted were President Mckinley, his
wife, Mr.. Abner Mckinley, Mrs. Duncan
md Miss Helen Mckinley. children of
the aged woman whose life breath had
been hushed forever, whose tongue had
taken on the eternal palsy. The aged
sister was there. Mrs. Abigail Osborne.
the only one of the Allison family now
| living. Mrs. Bowman, of Lorain; Misses
Grace and Mabel Mckinley, James Nc
Kinley. Miss Duncan and Jack Duncan,
grandchildren. were all in the sad party
lDdl NllItSSGu lIlG blSI VI lHC
noble parent. The end came without a
struggle. 1t was a sleep whose signifi-
canoe could not be mistaken. President
Mckinley remained at the bedside for
an hour or more, and was then persuad-
ed to take some rest from his long and
painful vigil.
It is a coincidence that Mrs. Mckinley
died at almost the identical hour of the
day as did her husband on Thanksgiv-
ing five years ago. President Mckinley
remained up until about $3.50 o'clock. a
little more than an hour after the death,
and then retired for few hours sleep.
During the forenoon he and his broth
er spent the greater part of an hour
walking about the more secluded
streets near home. securing much
needed exercise and fresh air. The pres
ident was greatly refreshed by the ex-
perience. although even before he
seemed little the worse physically for
the trying ordeal of the past days. dur
ing which. except when he wentto Wash
ington TO attend to official duties. he
kept an almost constant vigil at the
bedside of his mother. In the after
noon the president and Abner McKin-
ley drove TO beautiful West Lawn ceme-
J tow oh0"t mile uast nf the home to