The record-union., 1897-12-12

day. morning, with All Her ciilIuieH anu
other immediate relatives at her bed
side. She did not suffer any in her last
hours, but gradually passed from the
deep sleep in which she has rested al
most constantly for the past ten days
into the sleep of death.
No word could be secured from the
house for some hours before the disso-
luton. Knocks of reporters as well as
those of telegraph messengers were un-
answered. At 2:35 an undertaken was
summoned, and the first publicity given
to the public of the death.
The end was most beautiful in its
quiet peacefulness. She seemed to
sleep SO soundly that it was difficult
to tell whether she had yet breathed
her last. This condition continued for
half an hour. There was no struggle.
She seemed to sleep her life away. The
President and all of her family were
by her side. There We're no recogni-
tions, however Her last consciousness
was hours before her final taking away.
AT the dawn of day it was felt that
the end was at hand, for about that
time she experienced one of the sink
ing spells common to the illness, and
for long time seemed so nearly inan-
innate that it appeared no rally was
possible. But the rally came, and with
it a condition in which she was able
to take a small amount Of liquid nour-
ishment, the first she had taken since
last Monday This was followed by
such peaceful repose as to revive the
hope, which was realized, that she
would live through the day
In the afternoon another period of
anxiety was experienced by the watch
ers. Another sinking spell came, and
for time it seemed as though it would
be the last. Since the she has con-
tinued very weak and low.
The doctor called at $50 o'clock, and
reported that he found a material
change for the worse, such as he re-
garded as certain to bring about final
dissolution during the night. He had
not even a faint hope that she could live
until morning.
President Mckinley continued his vigil
all day. as he had the preceding days.
He sat almost constantly in the sick
room and there secured all the rest he
had. He had the newspapers at his side,
and when the mother rested most peace
fully he glanced over their columns for
the news of the day. Late in the after
noon he and his wife emerged from the
house and took a few turns on the
porch for exercise and a little fresh air.
and a little later he and his brother
Abner had similar walk. Aside from
this he has scarcely been out of the
room. He is kept informed Of the affairs
of State by communication from the
White House.
At a. m. it is impossible to make
known any arrangements. 1t is not
believed that any win be made until the
much worn out family have few hours
rest and sleep. The President at 3
o'clock this morning appeared in the
best of health.
Mrs. Mckinley was distinctively a
home-loving woman, and the two-story
frame cottage on West Tuscarawas
street in this city where she died, and
where she had lived for many years,
was dearer to her than any other spot
on earth. There she spent her declining
days with her daughter Helen and her
grand children Grace and James Nc
Kinley, receiving occasionally visits from
her other children, seldom going out ex-
cept to church, where she could be found
every Sunday morning, unless prevented
by illness.
While showing deep affection for her
other children, she had followed the ca
reer Of William with pride and solici-
tude. With fond, motherly admonition
she watched him rise from the position
Of Prosecuting Attorney of his own
county. and by successive stages to Con
gresham. Governor and finally TO the
Presidency.
During the memorable campaign OF
last year IoF kflt ~A-i'
ward for the election, Mrs. Mckinney
was one of the most interested OBJ
servers. She was always given the
place Of honor at the home OF her
illustrious son, and on the day Of his
nomination by the st. Louis Conven-
tion she heard the news as soon as he
did. 1t was then that William McKin-
ley showed the deep love he bore for
his mother by kissing her as soon as he
had received the announcement of the
result at ST Louis
All through the trying campaign that
followed she watched her son with deep
interest. She was a frequent caller at
his home. and was greeted by many of
the visiting delegations of Republicans.
She accompanied the President to the
Inauguration, riding in the special
train, and remained in Washington un-
I'll Mr. and Mrs. Mckinley had become
settled in their new home. Then she
returned to the Canton cottage with ex-
pressions of gratitude at getting home
once more.
Nancy Allison Mckinley came of a
family which was transplanted from
England to the hills of Virginia. The