The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-05
President McKiniey's First Day.

iCSioShl WtSNiiitCt "St 10y.
Washington. d. C.. March "A sound
nights rest put the president-elect in per-
feet condition for the exhausting functions
Of the day He had retired Immediately
after returning 10 his hotel from the dinner
last night given IN his honor by Colonel
John Hay. so that he enjoyed a fun nights
repose and the beneficial effect was plainly
visible when ne arose this morning and sa-
luted Mrs. Mckinley with the remark that
this was the first day Of her accession 10
the dignity and title Of the first lady OF the
land. The president is an early riser and
few of the hotel guests were awake when
he opened his door at half past s o'clock
and called greeting to Messrs Daugherty
and Gardner. the faithful New York detec-
tives who have watched his every move
ment since the train rolled in from Canton.
Within a few minutes a porter came up
stairs bearing an armful of wood and soon
bright fire was cracking in the crate In
the sitting room. Following an old custom.
coffee was served as soon as Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckinley arose. Abner Mckinley dropped
in for few moments chat and then the
president-elect turned his attention 10 some
personal mail that for some time had been
awaiting consideration. The remainder OF
the presidential party were asiir early and
while Mr. Mckinley was al his mail they
came down to breakfast in the hotel diuing
room. The breakfast for Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Kinley was served TO them in their private
sitting room. The waiter bore in a break
fast OF bountiful proportions. There was
quail on toast, broiled chicken. porter
house steak, Spanish omolette. dry toast
hot rolls, wheat mullins, tea and coffee.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley had good ap-
pet;tes and did full justice 10 the viands SO
abundantly supplied. Mrs. Mckinley ate
her portion in bed, by advice OF her hus-
band, adopting this course to conserve her
strength for the events of the day.
The advance guard OF the great American
army OF cranks made its appearance at an
early hour at the hotel this morning. for
tUnately 1t took the form of a well dressed
parsonage OF clerical aspect who in mid
voice besought the presidents permission
10 sell on the streets an extraordinary card
bearing a scriptural motto. He was easily
turned away by the guardians at the door
way without creating any disturbance.
While breakfasting the president-elect ad-
mitted 10 the room his family physician
and the latter expressed his qualification
at the excellent condition of his patient.
The first OF the official callers was Chair
man Bell of the Inauguration committee.
He came to talk over the program for the
day and in a few minutes explained this
10 Mr.. McKinley's satisfaction. After the
breakfast the president-elect came down
out into the corridor of the hotel for a few
moments. He greeted pleasantly the few
who stood in waiting. including the news
papermen and even an irrepressible citizen
of German extraction. who he did not
know, but who insisted on shaking hands
with the president OF the United States.
A pretty sight witnessed by the persons
who waited at the landing was the greeting
given his mother by the president-elect as
he met her in the corridor He kissed her
tenderly and in the most affectionate terms
inquired after her health and then led her
gently into the sitting room and placed her
n warm corner on a sofa lounge.
At half-past 9 o'clock a barber came up
stairs with his shaving basin and snowy
towels. He was a very proud man, by
name Clarence Chaplin. for he was to
shave the president-elect. This necessary
function consumed only a few minutes
time.
Meanwhile the callers began to increase
in number although few of them were ad
mitted TO the reserved portion OF the house.
A great bunch of American beauty roses
came by special messenger from local
ma gnate for Mrs. Mckinley.
AT five minutes 10 10 o'clock Senator Sher-
man and Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin. Of
the senate committee, appointed TO con-
duct the Inauguration, appeared and an
rounced that they had come to escort the
presldent-elect TO the Capitol. They were
admitted at once and exchanged greetings
with Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley, who were
chatting with Captain Zimmerman OF the
Twenty-third Ohio volunteers. his old regi-
ment, Bellamy Storer and Mrs. Storer and
Mrs. Julius Burroughs also were among the
favored callers who saw Mr.. Mckinley.