Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-02
MRS. MNINLEY IS ILL.
Mother Of the President Stricken Down With
Paralysis.
END MAY BE A QUESTION OF SHORT TINE


Canton, o.. Dec, Mrs. Nancy Al
llson Mckinley. mother of the Presi-
dent, was stricken with paralysis this
morning and it is feared that her
death is only a question Of short
time.
The paralysis at present is OF but a
mild form. but owing to her extreme
age. nearly SO years, DR.. Phillips, the
attending physician. can give but little
hope to the family.
Mr.. Abner Mckinley. of New York.
has been visiting her for few days,
and when his mother was stricken this
morning, Immediately communicated
with the President by telephone. The
latter asked If he had best start at
once, to which Mr. Abner Mckinley
replied he had best wait Il further re-
port from the physician. who would
make u call in time to advise by 10
o'clock. The physician's statement to
the family was that there was little
doubt that the attack would ultimate
ly result in death, but that there was
no indication as yet as to when the
end might come. The attack was very
light, and in a younger person would
not necessarily be regarded as dan
gerous, but to one Of her advanced
years there is every probability that
the attack would become aggravated.
The end, he said. might he in n short
time or IT might be In a week or even
longer interval.
Mother Mckinley for some time has
not been in real good health, having
suffered from a mild form of grip
with which she has been afflicted, but
she was able to be up and about the
house. Wednesday she seemed to have
materially improved and her bright
and cheerful humor was especially
noted by the members of the family
Mr.. Abner Mckinley remarked that
he had not seen her in such apparent
good spirits for years She retired as
usual Wednesday night, occupying a
room adjoining that of her daughter
Helen. About the hour the family
usually arises this morning. Mother
Mckinley walked to Miss Helen Nc
Kinley's room aud awakened her. The
latter addressed her mother aud re-
ceiving no reply, surmised that some
thing was wrong. She Immediately
dressed and summoned the household
and a physician.
Except in the failure of the vocal or
gans Mrs, Mckinley shows but little
evidence of the paralysis. She is in
fun possession of her mental faculties,
recognizing all of the family and
others who see her, and taking an In
terest in whatever transpires. A let
ter was received from the President
this morning and was read to her by
Miss Helen Mckinley, who inquired II
she understood the letter. To this
Mother Mckinley nodded her assent.
Her physical powers up to noon were
but little affected by the pnrnlvsis.
She was able to walk to her daughters
room before her illness was known.
and since seems able to handle herself
almost as well as usual
Canton, Ohio. Dec. AT 2 o'clock
DR. Phillips said Mrs. Mckinley is
very seriously Ill and there is scarcely
a chance of her ultimate recovery. He
expects to he able to tell by tomorrow
morning definitely the course the dis
case is likely to take. She was, when
he last saw her. in a semi-comatose
condition.
THE PRESIDENT CONCERNED.
Washington, Dec. MIR. Mckinley
is very much concerned about the re-
ports of his mothers illness and has
asked TO be kept constantly informed
as to her condition, At any other time
he would go at once to Canton. but the
the nearness OF the converting Of Con-
gress makes 1t important that he
should be here.
PRESIDENT GOES HOME.
It has been determined that the
President and Mrs. Mckinley will 70 to
Canton. The Presidents absence will
not prevent his annual message being
sent to Congress, as communication be-
tween the President and the CON
gressional committee can be established
by telegraph and the message set to
Congress by the secretary to the Presi-
dent.
MRS. M'KTNLEY WORSE.
Canton. Dec. AT 3 o'clock this af-
ternoOn Mr.. Abner Mckinley stated
that his mother was sem unconscious,
and the change noted was for the
worse.