Evening journal., 1901-06-08
RBPORTERS CAMP
AT WHITE HOUSE
Small Army on The Alert for
News Of Mrs. Nc
kiDIey

Washington. June S.-A small army
Of correspondents is camping out at
the White House these days, on the
alert for news from Mrs. McKinleys
bedside The three press associations
all keep men constantly on duty at the
executive mansion, and since the
first lady of the land has been so
critically ill the larger New York
Chicago, and Philadelphia dailies have
their special representatives there in
addition. Every visit of Drs. Rixey
Sternberger, or Johnson is a matter OF
the greatest importance to the watch
ers whose task during the daytime is
not so irksOme, but which, after dark
and especially after midnight, becomes
almost a martyrdom.
At y o'clock by order of Secretary
COutelyou, visitors are barred from
the White House.
This, of course, affects the news
paper men, who merely move out to
the porch where they continue their
vigil The White House night force
placed at the disposal of these corre-
spOndents a number of rugs, which are
spread upon the porch beneath the
windows and are used as mattresses
by the sleepy sentinels. One OF two of
the scribes are detailed to keep on the
lookout while the others slumber All
take turns successfully at this guard
duty.
The windows of Mrs. McKinley's
bed chamber, the second room from
the west end on the second floor, are
watched with the most earnest atten-
/ ton. So long as the panes remain
dark the correspondents know that all
is well and that the patient is sleep.
ing. When a light is seen. however
they realize that n hurry call is likely
! to be sent at any minute for one o.
/ the physicians and they are ready tC
fash to the world the news of another
/ crisis in the distinguished patient
condition. e>
"The president is greatly touched b,
the expressions Of sympathy he is re
ceiving from all parts of the cOuntr!
on account of Mrs. McKinley's illness,
said Rev Dr. Frank Bristol this morn
ing DR.. Bristol is the presidents pas
4 tor and calls at the White Hous
daily to learn the state Of Mrs. McKin
leys health.
'"The president told me yesterday,
p continued the minister, "of a hithert
unpublished incident that happene
out in Nebraska when the presidentia
r party was homeward bound. A littl
, country boy stepped up to the presl
dent at one of the stations. and look
ing up into his face Asked
Be you the PRESIDENT
|, Yes. my little man, I am tn
= president replied the chief executive
els Mrs. Mckinley in there?' col
tinued the boy, pointing to the ca
= Olympia.
! Yes, she is in there, responde
= the president.
\ "'Then 1 guess won't "holler", sal
the boy.
"The little fellow had been savir
up that 'holler' probably for week
and It. was undoubtedly a great depT
= vstion for him to bottle it up when Il
l. president came out on the platforI
Il Mr. Mckinley was visibly affected /
y the little fellows thoughtfulness al
y said it was a good illustration of ii
~ feeling of the communities throll
which the train passed on the HON
ward journey. In order that Mrs. NJ
ls Kinley's rest should not be disturbe
su not a gun was fired. not a whisi
e blown, along the whole route, and T.
crowds that gathered at the static
refrained from making any demo
III strations whatever