The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-04
HER LIFE EBBING AWAY,
Mother Mckinley Will Probably
Never Regain Consciousness.
TEE PRESIDENTS PUBLIC DUTIES
Whatever May Bo tho Result of His
Mothers Illness, the Chief Magis-
trnte VIII Return to washluwton
For the Openinv of Connross.

Mothers Illness, the Chief Magis-
trate VIII Return to Washington
For the Opening of Congress.
). Canton, o., Dec. 4.--President Nc
Kinley 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
president to be at the capital in person
Tor the opening of session Of con-
gress to receive the joint committees
from the two houses. and until this
committee has waited on the president
and received his communication the
regular business Of congress cannot
proceed.
Mother Mckinley Is unconscious, and
the attending physician can give the
family no hone that she will ever re-
turn to consciousness. The president
can do absolutely nothing for her by
remaining here. In view of these facts
the president feels that it is his duty
to return to Washington, SO as not to
delay the proper opening of congress
at the regular time. He has arranged
TO leave Canton at 2:05 o'clock this
afternoon. Assistant Secretary of
State Day, who accompanied the presi-
cent from Washington, expects to re-
turn TO Canton early next week.
yesterday was one of great suspense
In the Mckinley family. The nearness
OF death was realized, and that there
could be no other than a fatal ending
to the illness with which Mother Nc
Kinley was stricken Thursday. The at
tending physician could give them no
hope of different result, and it is to
the remarkable constitution of the
woman, who has reached the ripe age
OF nearly 50 years without Illness of
any consequence, that he attributes the
fact that the flame Of life was not ex-
tinguished earlier in the illness.
The family surrounded the bedside all
Gay, watching intently 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 sick room was almost
without variation, family and doctor
announcing from time to time increas-
ing weakness. Only twice was this
report varied by the announcement Of
evidence of partial consciousness. The
nrst was when President Mckinley
reached the sick room. His sister
Helen announced his arrival. saying:
Mother here is William. If you rec
ognlze him, hold out your hand"
The enfeebed patient seemed to un-
derstand and to make an effort to ex-
tend her hand, which was Immediate O
thought he felt a responsive tightening
of her hand about his own as he did
so, but the recognition was SO slirht
as to be almost imperceptibc. 1t was
some time later that a second slight
rally seemed to occur. A bunch of
beautiful flowers was sent from the
conservatory Of the White House, and
when they were taken into the room
she noted their arrival, and seemed to
make an effOyt to reach for one The
president quickly selected beautiful
white lily and handed 1t to her. She
took 1t in her hand and carried 1t to
her bosom, it being apparent that she
was conscious Of the act and appre-
ciated the flower. Soon after this she
quieted down into a rest that seemed
to be almost natural Eieep.
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 by her
mother. She made no effort on enter
Ing the room to gain recognition, be-
cause 1t was realized that the effort
would not succeed. and that it would
only disturb the patient. From that
time on the gradual weakening of |
Mother Mckinley continued How long
her constitution will withstand the as
saults of the disease no one can tell, |
but 1t seems that 1t cannot be much
longer The president has scarcely
been out of the house since his arrival.
and has spent most of the time in his
mothers room. 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.
There have been many callers at the
home. aged lady friends of Mother Nc
Kinley being numerous among those
who called to offer sympathy. The in
quries by telegraph are numerous,
and messages are constantly going to
and from the house.