The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-04
M'K1NLEY's FIRST DAY.
The Presidents Early Morning Hours
Before the Inauguration.

Washington, March A sound
nights rest put the president-elect in
perfect condition for the eXhausting
functions of the day. He had retired
Immediately after returning to his ho-
tel from the dinner last night givenin his
honor by Colonel John Hay, so that he
enjoyed a full nights repose and the
beneficial effect was plainly visible
when he arose this morning and salut-
ed Mrs. Mckinley with the remark that
this was the first day of her accession
to the dignity and title of the first lady
of the land.
and few of the hotel guests were awake
when he opened his door at half past
o'clock and called a greeting to
Messrs. Daugherty and Gardner, the
faithful New York detectives who have
watched his every movement since the
train rolled in from Canton.
Within a few minutes porter came
up stairs bearing an armful of wood
and soon a bright fire was cracking in
tbs CRATE in the sitting room.
Following an old custom, coffee was
served as soon as Mr.. and Mrs. McKin-
ley arose. Abner Mckinley dropped in
for a few moments chat and then the
president-elect turned his attention to
some personal mail that for some time
had been awaiting consideration. The
remainder of the presidential party was
astir early, and while Mr.. Mckinley
was at his mail they came down to
breakfast in the hotel dining room.
The breakfast for Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Kinley was served to them in their pri
vate sitting room. The waiter bore in
q breakfast of bountiful proportions.
There was quail on toast, broiled
chicken, a porterhouse steak, a Spanish
omeIette, dry toast, hot rolls, wheat
mullins, tea and coffee.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley had good
appetiteS. Mrs. Mckinley ate her por-
ton in bed by advice of her husband,
adopting this course to conserve her
strength for the events of the day.
The advance guard of the great
American army of cranks made it's ap-
pearance at an early hour at the hotel
this morning. Fortunately it took the
very harmless form of a well dressed
parsonage of clerical aspect, who in a
mild voice besought the presidents per
mission to sell on the streets an ex-
traordinary card bearing scriptural
motto. He was easily turned away by
the guardian at the doorway without
creating any disturbance.
While breakfaSting, the president
elect admitted to the room his family
physician, and the latter expressed his
qualification at the excellent condition
of his patient The first of the official
callers was Chairman Bell of the inau-
guratiOn committee. He came to
talk over the programme for the day
and in a few minutes explained these
to Mr.. McKinley's satisfaction. After
the breakfast the preSident-elect came
down into the corridor of the hotel for
q few moments. He greeted pleas
antly the few persons who stood in
waiting, including the newspaper men,
and even an irrepressible citizen of
German extraction, whom he did not
know but who insisted on shaking
hands with the president of the United
States.
A pretty sight witnessed by the per-
sons who waited a the landing was the
greeting given his mother by the presi-
dent-elect as he met her in the corri-
dor. He kissed her tenderly and in the
most affectiOnate terms inquired after
her health and then led her gently into
the sitting room and placed her in a