Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-04
The President Enroute Back
to Washington.
MOTHER M'KlNLEY NEAR THE END.
The Chies Executive Thought 1t His
Duty to Not Delay the Opening of
Congress on Monday-wnl Return
Soon as Possible.


may be the issue of his mothers ill.,
ness. Although there has never been
in the history of the government
case exactly similar it is necessary for
the president to be at the capital in
person for the opening Of a session of
congress TO receive the joint commit
tees from the two houses and that until
this committee has waited on the presi-
dent and received his communication,
the regular session of congress cannot
proceed.
Mother Me- inley is unconscious and
che attending physician can give the
family no hope that she will ever re-
turn to consciousness. The president
could do absolutely nothing for her by
remaining here. In view of these
facts the president felt that it was his
duty TO return to Washington so as not
to delay the proper opening of con-
gress.
He left Canton at 2 90 o'clock this
afternoon III the special car provided
for HIM, attached to the regular Penn
sylvania tram, which reaches Wash
ington tomorrow morning. Assistant
secretary of State Day, who accom-
expects to return to Canton early next
week the president will leave Wash
ington as soon as possible after attend.
ing to the functions of opening con-
gress.
The nearness of the messenger of
death was realized every moment of
yesterday and that there could be no
other than II fatal ending to the illness
with which Mother Mckinley was
stricken Thursday morning. The at
tending physician could give them no
hope of a different result and it is to
the remarkable constitution of the
woman who has reached the ripe old
age of nearly 80 years without illness
of any consequence that he attributes
the fact that the flame of life was not
extinguished earlier II the illness. The
family surrounded the bed all day
watching 1ntently for any rally from
the eomatose condition in which the
patient has been almost from the be-
ginning of the illness and at short in.
tervals the doctor called. But the word
from the sick room was almost without
variation, family and doctor announcing
from time to time the increasing weak
ness and sinking away. Only twice
was this report varied by the annouce.
ment of evidence of partial conscious.
ness. The first was when President
Mckinley reached the sick room. His
sister Helen announced his arrival say.
ing; Mother, here is William. II
you recognize him. hold out your
hand -
The enfeebled patient seemed to un.
derstand and to make an effort TO ex.
tend her hand. which was Immediately
grasped by the devoted son. He thought
a no fSrvlt
hand about his own as he did So but
the recognition was SO slight as to be
almost imperceptible. 1t was some
time later that second slight rally
seemed to occur. A bunch of beautiful
flowers were sent from the conserva.
tory of the White House, and when
they were taken into the room. she
noted their arrival and seemed to make
an effort to reach for one. The presi.
dent quietly selected beautiful white
lily and handed it to her. She took il
in her hand and carried it to her
bosom, it being apparent that she was
conscious of the act and appreciated
the flower. Soon after this, about
noon, she quieted down into aM,est that
seemed to be almost natural sleep
Mrs. A. j. Duncan of Cleveland, who
was summoned from Chicago, where
the four living children to arrive and
she came too late to be recognized by
her mother. She made no effort on en-
terlng the room to gain recognition,
because 1T was realized that the effort
would not succeed and that it would
only disturb the patient. From this
time on the gradual weakening of
Mother Mckinley continued. How
long the constitution will withstand
the assaults of the disease no one can
tell, bat it seems that it cannot be much
longer. The president has scarcely been
out of the house since his arrival Thurs.
day morning, and spent most of the day
In his mothers room.
AS soon as the special train which
the Pennsylvania road provided from
Pittsburg, with Trainmaster j. K.
Turner IN charge, reached the Canton
station, the president hurried to the
carriage in which Charles r. Miller.
Judge L. L. McCarty and Editor George
=. Frease of The Repository had gone
to meet him and was driven to the
house. Only when he felt the need of
little fresh air and exercise did he
and his brother Abner leave the house
for short walk along the street at the
side of the house.
There have been many callers at the
home, aged lady friends of Mother Nc.
klnley being numerous among those
who called to offer sympathy The in
qulrles by telegraph are numerous and
messengers are going to and from the
house all the while.