The age-herald., 1897-12-04


 Cantoln, Dec. 3.-Pr5sident Mckinley will be in Washington for the opening of congn:ss next Monday, whatever may be the issue of his mothsrs illness. AL though there has never been in dha his tory of this government a case exactly similar, Dt Us neo.Esary for fthe president to be alt thls capital in person at the opening of the session of congress to re ceive Iahs joint cominitteia of the two houses and ui-l,il this committee has awaited upon the president and re- ceived his communication the regular bueiness of congriss cartnl-t proceed.
 '.Mother'' Mckinley is unconscious and tIhe attending physician can give r.he family no hope that she wln ever de- turn ito consciousn- ss. The president can do absolutely nothing fer her by remain ing here. Tn view of these facts, the president feels rhat it is his duty to re- turn to washington so as not to delay the proper opsnng of cong.';Ss at the regular time He has arranged to leave Canton at 2:05 tomorrow afternoon on the special car provided for him attached to tlhs regular Pennsylvania train, which reaches Washington Sunday Alouaing.
 A Day of Suspense
 To-day was one of great suspsrsa i'm the Mckinley family. The n5arness of the messenger of death was realized every moment of the day. and thlt there could be no other than a fatal ending to Ithe Illness with which 'iMoither' Mckinley was stricken Thursday morning. The attending physician could give no hope of a diffenemt result and lit is to rlhe re- mialkable constitution of the woman, who has reached tine ripe old age of nearly S9 years. without illness of any consequence, that he alt tributes the fact that the flames of 1.fs were not eNtin- guish5ld earlier cn the illness,
 The family surrounded the bedside all day, watching int-ntiy for any aally from the comatose condhtion in which the patient has been almosa from the be- ginning of the illness and at short inter- walls the doctor called. But the word from tls sick room was almost without varia- tion and was that weakness was increas- ing.
 Recognized Her Son
 This was varied by evidence of partial consciousness. The first was when Pres iIdent Mckinley reach:d the sick room. His sister Helen, announced his arrival, saying:
 ..Mother, here is William If you recog- rize him hold out your hand"
 The emf; ;ebled patient seemed to uri- de- stand and to make an effort to extend her hand, which was rmmdiately gTasped by the devcbed son. He thought he felt @ responsive frightening of her hanId about his own as fpa did 50. but the rec ognition was so slight as to be almost impercepItible.
 Pressed Lilly te Her Bosom
 It was some time later that a second slight rally seemed to occur. A bunch of beautiful flowers were sent from the conservatory of the White House. and when they were taken into her room she noted their arrival and seemed to make an effort to reach for one. The president quickly vselected beautiful white lily and gave it to her. She took it in hand and carried it to her bosom, it being apparent that she was con- scous of the act and appreciated the flower. Soon after this she quieted down into a rest that seemed almost natural sleep.
 The Last Child Arrives
 Mrs. J. A. Duncan, of Cleveland. who was summoned from Chicago, where she had been wishing, was the last of the five living children to arrive, and she came too late to be recognized by her mother.
 The president has scarcely been out of the house since his arrival this morn ing, and spent most of the day in his mothers room. There have been many callers at the house today, aged friends of Mother" Mckinley being numerous.
 May survile Till Morn
 pr. Phillips made call early this evening, after which he said he could reach no distinct conclusion in the con- dftion of the patient from what he had previously described. She continues to grow weaker, but may live until morn ing, If a radical change occurs, he