Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-22
condition Becomes Serious.


From a source not official, but very
close to the executive household, it was
stated Thursday that Mrs. McKinley's
condition was worse than Mr.. Cortelyou
would admit. 1t was said a persistent
attack of dysentery that was developed
in Texas had reduced her to a shadow Of
her former self. The felon which devel-
oped on her hand at about the same time
caused her to have high fever. She suf-
fered intense pain. which increased her
nervousness and the combination Of
these two causes depressed her spirits
and was responsible for her serious con-
dition.
1t was thought when the party was at
Monterey that by going ut once to San
Francisco, where the patient could have
rest and quiet she would quickly recov-
er. The result, however, was not what
the physicians expected.
SCI rtary Cortelyou was questioned
Thursl.y concerning rumor that Mrs.
Mckinley was near death and that the
doctors feared fatal termination of her
illness. He said: Il cannot tell You that.
All that the President desires me to say
in regard 10 her condition is contained in
the official bulletin"
The gravity of Mrs McKinley's condi-
ton had been known to the members OF
the Presidents immediate party for sew
eral days, but had been concealed in the
belief that she would rally, as she had so
frequently in the past when suffering
from one of her periods of depression.
and with a few days of absolute quiet
and rest he restored TO normal condition.
But her illness was attended with en-
tirely new complications, which did not
yield to treatment, and the President
concluded Wednesday it was time the
public should be apprised of the true
situation He was anxious that the citi-
zens of the cities and towns along the
| planned route of his return trip who
have made such extensive preparations
for his visit should receive prompt poti-
| fication of the circumstances which COM
| PEELED his decision.
From the time Mrs. Mckinley arrived
| at the Scott residence she was desper-
| ately ill., Her extreme weakness was
| a most alarming feature of her condl-
| ton. Her vitality was Mt low ebb and
| she seldom spoke 10 those about her.
| The President was continually at her
| bedside save the few hours Monday at
| ternoon, when he left her to so TO San
| Jose and the three hours he spent IN
| the San Francisco parade
The strain which the President him
self has undergone has been very great.
/ 1t was a personal sacrifice for him TO car
| ry out his engagements at San Francisco
| in order to disappoint the people. All
| day Wednesday. except for brief hair
! hoqr in the afternoon, when he yielded to
! me entreaties of those about him and
| went out for a drive. he remained stead
| fastiy at MS wire's side. The members
of the cabinet reluctantly consented to
carry out the days program at the Uni
| vcrsity of California and at Oakland, hut
they had no heart to put into the teStIvi'
ties while their chief was griesing.
Mrs. Mckiney'S Illness cast shadow
over the whole city. The people showed
their sympathy IN a multitude Of ways
All day long little groups stood across the
street opposite the Scott mansion sliens'
IL watching the drawn blinds OF the room
in which lay the first lady Of the land
The news Of the serious character of hei
illness evidently Travelled fast. because
from all over the country kilograms soor
poured into the President. expressing
svmnathy for Mrs. Mckinley md asking
| so- sia;nrs Of her condition.