The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-09-18
NEARING THE END.
Presidents Dissolution Only n Matter of
Two Hours, Say the Physicians.


Two Hours, Say the Physicians.
At o'clock Saturday morning Pres
ident Mckinley was barely alive. His
breathing was scarcely discernible.
His pulse had practically stopped, and
his eXtremities were cold. But he was
still alive and the doctors were not
able TO say whether minutes or hours
would mark the continuance of his pc
riod on earth. He had been uncon-
scious since about 7:40 p. IN. The fare
wells to his wife and others nearest
him had been said. DR.. Mann and DIR.
Janeway, the eminent heart special
ist,, who arrived from New York at
midnight. Were with him.
DR.. Janeway concurred with the 9th
er doctors that there was no hope.
The End Near
Before o'clock 1t was clear to those
at the Presidents bedside that he was
dying, and preparations were made
for the last sad offices of farewell
from those who were nearest and
dearest to him. Oxygen had been ad-
mlnistered steadily, but with little eff
feet In keeping back the approach of
death. The President came out of
one period of Inconsistencies only to
cd, when his mind was partially clear,
occurred series of events profound
ly touching in character. Down stairs,
with strained and tear-stained faces.
members of the Cabinet We're in wait
ing. They knew the end was near
that the time had come when they
must see him for the last time on
earth. This was about q o'clock. One
by one they ascended the stairway
Secretary Root, Secretary Hitchcock,
and Attorney General Knox. Secreta-
ry Wilson was also there. but he held
back. not wishing to see the Presi-
dent In his last agony. There was only
momentary stay of the Cabinet Of
ficers at the threshold of the death
chamber. Then they withdrew, the
tears streaming down their faces and
the words of Intense grief choking in
their throats.
Asked to See His wife.
After they left the sick room the
physicians rallied him to consciousness
and the President asked almost i'm
mediately that his wife be brought to
him. The doctors fell back into the
shadows of the room as Mrs. McKin-
ley came through the doorway. The
strong face of the dying man lighted
up with a faint smile as their hands
clasped. She sat beside him and held
his hand. Despite her physical weak
ness she bore up bravely under the
ordeal.
The President, in his last period of
consciousness which ended about 7:4O,
chanted the words of the hymn Near
er My God to Thee" and his last aud
ible conscious words, as taken down
a
Good by, all, good-by. 1t is Gods
way. His will be done"
Then his mind began to wander and
soon afterward he completely lost
consciousness. His life was prolonged
for hours by the administration OF
oxygen, and the President finally eX,
pressed n desire to be allowed to die
About $50 the administration of oxy,
gen ceased and the pulse grew fainter
and fainter He was sinking gradu
ally like child into the eternal slum
ber. BY 10 O'Clock the pulse could nc
longer be felt In his extremities, and
they grew cold. Below stairs the grief
stricken gathering waited sadly for tho
end.
Friends and Relations Arrive.
All the evening those who had has
tened as fast as steel and steam coult
carry them continued to arrive. They
drove up In carriages at a gallop OF
were whisked up In automobiles, al
intent upon arriving before deatl
came. One OF the last was Attorney
General Knox. who reached the hous,
at $50. He was permitted to go VI
stairs to look for the last time upoI
the face of his chief. Those In thu
house at this time We're SecretarIe,