The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-09-20
The PRESIDENT SUCCUMBS'
resident VIM Mckinley Dies From Effect Of an
Assassin's Bullets

of death. The president came out OF
one period Of unconsciousness only to
relapse into another. But in this pc
riod, when his mind was particularly
clear, occurred a series Of events OF
profoundly touching character. Down
stairs, with strained and tear stained
faces, members of the cabinet were
grouped in anxious waiting. They
knew the end was near and that the
time had come when they must see
him for the last time on earth. This
was about O'Clock. One by one
they assembled the ssairway-Secre-
tary Root, Secretary Hitchcock and
Attorney General Knox. Secretary
Wilson was also there but he held
back, not wishing to see the presi-
dent in his last agonies There was
only a momentary stay of the cabinet
officers at the threshold Of the death
chamber. Then they withdrew, the
tears streaming down their faces and
words Of intense grief choking in
their Threats. After they left the sick
room the physicians rallied him to
consciousness and the president asked
almost Immediately that his wife be
brought to him. The doctors fell
back into the shadows of the room as
Mrs. Mckinley came through the
doorway. The strong face Of the dy-
ing man lighted up with faint smile
as their hands were clasped. She sat
beside him and held his hand. De-
spite her physical weakness she bore
up bravely under the ordeal.
THE LAST WORDS.
The president, in his last period Of
consciousness which ended about
TAO, ohansed the words Of the hymn :
Nearer Ny God to Thee" and bis
last audible conscious words as taken
down by DR.. Mann at the bedside
were:
Goodbye, all; goodbye. II Is
Gods way. His will be done"
Theu his mind began to wander and
soon he completely lost consciousness.
His life was prolonged for hours by
the administration of oxygen and the
president finally expressed desire to
be allowed to die. About $50 the
administration Of oxygen ceased and
the pulse grew fainter and fainter.
He was sinking gradually, like a
child. into the eternal slumber. By
10 O'Clock the pulse could no longer
be felt in his extremities and they
grew cold Below stairs the grief
stricken gathering waited sadly for
the end.
A MOURNFUL GROUP.
All the evening those who fastened
here as fast as steel and steam could
carry them continued to arrive. They
drove up in carriages at q gallop, or
were whisked up in automobiles, all
intent upon getting here before death
came. The last to arriveswas Attorney
General Knox, who reached the house
at $50. He was permitted to go mp
stairs to look for the last time upon
the face Of his chief. Those in the
house at this time were Secretaries
Hitchcock, Wilson and Root, Sena-
tors Fairbanks, Hanna and Burrows,
Judge Day, Col. Herriok, Abner Nc
Kinley (the presidents brother) and
his wife; DR.. and Mrs. Baer, the
presidents niece and her husband !;
MrA Barber and Mrs. Duncan, the
presidents sisters; Mrs. Mary Barber,
Mrs. Mcwilliams, Mrs. McKinley's
cousin: the physicians. including DR..
Mob urney, all arrived shortly after 8
O'Clock; John @. Milburn, John N.
scatchered, Harry Hamlin, all Of this
city; Secretary Cortelyou. and num-
Der of others, were in attendance.
Rev. S.sD. Wilson, Methodist
minister Of Tonawanda, N. T., who
Wa the presidents pastor for three
years ct Canton, called at the resi-
denoe to inquire whether services
were needed, bot did not enter the
house. At s:s7 Secretary Oortelyou,
who had been much Of the time with
his dying chief, sent ont formal mott
fioation that the president was dying.
But the president fingered on, his
pulse growing fainter and fainter.
TREMENDOUS VITALITY.
There was no need for official bull
lstins after thia Those who came
from the house ct intervals told the
same story-that the president was
dying and that the end might come at
any time. His tremendous vitality
his death, viii remain forever q pre-
cious heritage Of our people.