The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-12-09

some time, but she finally retired to
her bed and remained there. Last even.
ing she said to members Of the family
that she was feeling in better health than
usual. She was in good spirits during
all of yesterday and seemed to enjoy the
best Of health. Retiring at the usual
hour Ia evening, she spent a good night
seemingly in restful slumber, but the
hidden power blasted her health at one
fell stroke this morning, and the mother
of the nations chief magistrate-a
mother more talked about and more ten
derly loved by the great mass of people
than any in the land-was laid low on
a bed of pain.
Mr.. Abner Mckinley went to the tele-
phone exchange and called up the execu-
tive mansion at Washington. He talked
to his brother, the President, and told
him the story of the sad occurrence.
The blow was bitter one to the son,
whose fiilial love is unbounded and
whose respect for his grand old mother
is equal to his devotion to his Maker,
He insisted upon coming home immedi'
ately and contended that his place was at
her bedside, but his first fears were allie
waited by the brothers reports of the
mothers condition. Then the President
asked dozens of questions, wanting to
know every little detail of the unfortu-
nate occurrence. His mind was relieved
when he learned that there was hope oi
his mother recovering, at least par
TALLY, and no immediate danger. He
left instructions that he should be noti'
fled of every change in her condition,
and at o'clock this afternoon he was
again in conversation with his brother
Abner over the long distance lines.
The President, arriving at the home OF
his aged and prostrated mother, left the
carriage, and followed by the two gen
tlemen accompanying him, entered the
house. He removed his hat, grasped his
brothers hand for second, ana pro
ceeded at once to the bedside of his
mother who lay in semi conscious con
dition in the west room on the first flooI
of the residence.
The President bowed his head al
he looked into the dear old face Of
her who gave him birth.
Mother, do you know me-" he asked
and slight tremor was in his voice
'.Do you know meS' he repeated.
The aged and furrowed face twitchet
slightly and the eyelids, heavy with the
hand of illness on them, raised a very lit
tie, Then the grand old lady lifted hel
left hand and let it fall again to hel
side
Mother Mckinley was Il home-loving
home-staying woman. Although fur
nished prettily and tastily and provided
with all that conduoes to the comfor
of its inmates, there is no more modes
and unostentations home in the city o
Canton than the two-story square frame
house on West Tuscarawas street, knowI
as the Mckinley homestead, and which
has been occupied by Mother Mckinley
her daughter Helen, and her grandchil
dren, Miss Grace and Mr.. James McKin
lev. 1t was here that the President LOVED
TO come for quiet rest and to escape thu
cares Of official life. 1t was here alst
that her other son, Mr.. Abner Mckinley
came at short intervals when he tired o
the busy scenes of New York city.
There have been few social functions II
the usual acceptance of that term, helt
at this home, but there has been de
lightful informality about it which mad
the neighbors and friends OF a Lifetime
dropped in and out for a social call at will
and nothing could be more delightful L
those who participated than the family
reunions invariably held on holidays ant
family anniversaries, with Mother Nc
Kinley as the central figure in all th,
plans Of entertainment.
Every Sunday morning found Mothel
Mckinley in her pew in the First Metho
dist ohurch-unless physical ailmen
made 1t absolutely impossible for her &
leave the house--a modest but deyonl
worshiper. She made informal calls and
visits at the homes Of her children II
ether places, but was most general,