Evening star., 1897-12-03
President McKinley's Mother Gradu-
ally Sinking Under Her Affection.
her DISTINGUISHED SON ARRIVES
Thinks His Mother Recognized Him
at Her Bedside.
ALL THE FAMILY PRESENT

CANTON. Ohio. December 3.-This morn
Ing Mrs. Nancy Allison Mckinley was re-
ported sinking rapidly and the end ap-
peared near.
All night long the little group around the
bedside of the venerable woman anxiously
watched for news of the train which was
bearing her distinguished son from his post
at the nations capital to her humble cot
tage- Before she reIapsed into unconscious
ness she was given to understand that her
son had started for Canton from the capi-
tal- The train bearing the President reach
ed PittsbUrg at T:15 am. At each stop dur
ing the night word had been flashed to
Canton OF his progress, and at each stop
yellow missive told him that he was still in
the lead in his thrilling midnight race with
the grim reaper.
President Went to Sleep.
Finally tired nature asserted herself and
the President retired to sleep. AS soon as
P.ttsburg was reached Judge Day accepted
the offer of the railroad company, and a
special engine was attached to the car
The President ct that time was still asleep.
Without the loss of a moment tine special
engine dashed out of the smoky city. All
trains on the route were Iut on side tracks,
and the last 1O1 miles were reeied off IN
less than two hours.
At S:j5 a. the President reached Can
ton. His mother was still alive. Upon his
arrival at the home of his mother Presi-
dent Mckinley entered the sick room and
knelt by TIE bedside. She was unconscious
The little family group was complete. All
that now remained was to wait for death
and to hope before it came the mother
would be able once more to recognize her
loving children.
Unconscious All Day.
AS the day wore on Mrs. Mckinley re-
mained apparently in the same condition as
at early morning. She was unconscious
and showed no evidence of suffering and
seemed to be passing quietly into the sleep
Of death. The President and other mem
bers of the family were at her bedside in
tent on doing everything possible to con-
tribute to her comfort, and hoping almost
without faith for rally and for sign of
recognition There was no encouragement
given them by the attending physician,
Dr Phillips, " ho seriously doubted hat the
patient would revive. He feared the end
was very near at hand but said there was
a possibility of her lingering for several
days
OF her four living children three were at
the bedside, and Mrs. A. j. Duncan of
Cleveland, who has been visiting her
caushter at d Chicago school, will be here
at 30 pm.
His cousin. Charles R. Miller, Judge T.
L. McCarty and Editor George b. Frease
OF the Repository met the President at the
station with carriage, which hurried him
10 the home of his mother, and he has
snce been almost constantly at her bed
side.
Thinks He Was Recognised.
The President believes his mother recoe-
nized him as he knelt at her bedside when
he arrived this morning. His sister Helen
announced his arrival by saying: Here
mother. is William. If you recognize him,
hold up your hand Mrs. Mckinley did
raise her left hand slightly. and the fam
lily believe it was in recognition Of her de-
voted son. He grasped her hand fondly
and says he seemed to feel a slight pres
sure from the mothers effort to return his
greeting. but the pressure was almost i'm
perceptible, and was possibly imaginary.
This was the only incident Of the sick room
today.
Tne family continued about the bedside
but except a continued weakening could
note no chaLge. The present plans of the
Pre- esident are to remain here until o'clock
tomorrow. when he will return to Washing
ton to look after some of the official cares,
which made ii almost impossible for him
to leave the capital at this time.
At II o'clock Dr. Phillips visited the pa
utrt There is no great change IN Mrs.
Mckinley's condition." he said She Is
gradually sinking away. and the end may
come IN a few hours. 1t is barely possible
that she may survive several days.
Mrs Stewart Bowman. Mrs. Mckinley s
niece. and wife of Editor Bowman of Ely
ria- reached the homestead shortly before
noon.
Train Awaits the President.
The train which brought the President
TO Canton will remain at the Pennsyl-
vania station at his disposal.
The President showed traces of deep
concern, but all the way from Washing
ton to Canton he showed implicit trust in
those who had charge of the train. He
was not the least moved by the rapid rum
ming made and preserved the mien that Is
characteristic of the man.