The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-05
CLOSING SCENES AT CANTON.
THE PRESIDENT LEAVES HIS DY-
ING MOTHER WITH A KISS.

sinking Spell That Nearly Ended in
Death Comes as "a Strange Coinci-
dence soon After His Departure.
No Response to Indicate That the
Aged Sufferer Was Conscious of
Her Loving sons Farewell Inn
print.
Canton, O., Dec. 4-sadder scenes were
never witnessed than the leave-taking of
President Mckinley from his dying moth
er this afternoon. The carriage was early
announced to convey him to the special
car at the. Pennsylvania railroad depot,
awaiting the arrival of the regular east
bound train. But to the very last possible
moment the President remained a the old
homestead Before leaving the house, he
and other members of the family went to
the bedside of the dying mother He look
ed at her long, spoke to her lovingly and
stopped and tenderly kissed her There
was no response, no movement to indicate
that she recognized her son. He remained
in a STOPPING posture for some time hop
ing that he might receive some sign that
she knew or felt his presence.
1t did not come. With feelings of deep
est emotion, he at last left the room.
1t was a strange coincidence that almost
Immediately following the departure of the
President, the mother should suffer re-
lapse. While yet in his home county and
within half an hour after he left the city,
the illness of the mother took turn for
the worse and it was thought by the fam
lily that she had suffered a second stroke
of paralysis and such an announcement
was made.
The attending physician, however, de-
clared 1t was not second assault of the
disease, but a relapse which for a time
threatened to extinguish the family flick
ering flame of life Once more, however,
the rugged constitution of the aged wo-
man Withstood the assault She rallied
slightly and before long was back to the
condition in which she had been for near
ly 20 hours, condition of quiet and SEEM
ingly restful sleep, but which it was fully
realized was slowly burning out the vital
spark of life.
The attending physician again announc-
ed tonight that the patient cannot regain
consciousness
The President left Canton at 2:05 o'clock
this afternoon. Shortly before his depart
ure he held a conference with the doctor
who advised that Alr. Mckinley carry out
the original plan of leaving for Washing
ton. He urged that the duties incumbent
upon the nations chief executive were
such that it was absolutely necessary for
him to be al the white house when con-
greSS assemblies, ana assured the President
that no act of a loving son or any other
mortal could do anything for the aged
mother and that she would never again
be able to recognize him or to recognize
his presence or absence. The President 5
last words to the family were that he be
tefegraphed at every station along the
route as to his mothers condition. The
President has definitely arranged to re-
turn to Canton Tuesday, leaving Wash
ington Tuesday morning as soon as he has
completed his duties in connection with
the opening Of congress.
DR.. Phillips left the Mckinley house this
evening, and unless called by reason of
some change may not again call before
morning. The patient was resting quiet
ly The pulse and respiration were much
improved, giving some reason to hope that
she may survive the night.
Canton, Dec. g. 80 a. m.-Mother Nc
kinley has not failed to any appreciable
extent during the night. At 1890 most of
the members of the family retired for a
little rest, several of them taking turns at
keeping vigil. Little change is now antici-
pated before morning.
Canton, o., Dec. 3, 2:3O a. NAT 2 a. m.
there was no noticeable change in Mrs.
Mckinley's condition. She was resting
easy and the weakness of few hours ago
did not prove of serious nature