New-York tribune., 1901-05-26
PRESIDENT STARTS EAST
DEPARTURE OF THE PARTY FROM SAN
FRANCISCO FOR WASHINGTON

San Francisco, May 25.-President MCKINLEY
and party, a1ter soJourn of nearly two weeks
in this city, started for Washington shortly
after 10 a m. to-day. Physicians in attendance
on Mrs. Mckinley. whose Illness curtailed the
trip, held their last consultation yesterday and
after they had announced their decision that
Mrs. Mckinley was strong enough to endure the
transcontinental journey preparations for de-
parture rapidly made
Mrs. Mckinley enjoyed a refreshing nights
rest, and seemed elated at the prospect of soon
being at home. She was conveyed from the Scott
house 10 the Oakland ferry in a closed carriage
by clrcultous route, chosen the invalid
might pass over only smoothly paved streets.
She was accompanied by the President DR.
Rixey and a trained nurse. The rest of the
party proceeded directly to the starting point
An immense crowd had assembled at the ferry
of the Southern Pacific Railroad The large
open space at Market and East sts was a solid
mass of humanity. through which the police
kept a passageway open for the President and
his party. Heads Were uncovered as the car
riage bearing Mrs Mckinley approached and
there was a visible effort to restrain an out
burst Of applause as the carriage with drawn
curtains, passed slowly through the throng All
respected the frail condition OF the Presidents
wife, and the enthusiasm was suppressed. There
no formal ceremonies at the ferry. Good
members and others Of the party with the
friends who had come to see them off, and the
travellers boarded the ferryboat Oakland. The
carriage containing Mrs. Mckinley driven
on TO the lower deck of the boat, and the cur
tains We're partly raised so she might obtain a
glimpse Of the bay and the Golden Gate. AS
the steamer drew out of the slip hats and hand
keTchiefs were waved and as il swung clear into
the stream the shipping in the harbor dipped
altT-a hon
broke from the shore and were borne out across
the waters-San Francisco's farewell.
General Shafter and his staff. Mayor Phelan
and the citizens committee in charge of the
entertainment were aboard TO offer their fare
wells. The general public Was not allowed on
board. AS the ferryboat passed out of the slip
for the trip across the bay the whistles OF the
steam craft were blown, but the valves were
not turned wide open. and the salute was not
shril enough TO disturb Mrs. Mckinley. The
crowds on the pierheads waved a silent adieu
The battleship Iowa, lying within hailing dis
tance Of the ferry, the boat passed dipped
her flag while the crew lined the rails, but no
salute was fired. The training ship at the naval
station, however, fired twenty-one guns as the
ferryboat appeared opposite
AT the Oakland Mole, where the train was
ready the Enclosure was roped Off Mrs Nc
Kinley was tenderly helped out Of the carriage
by the PRESIDENT When she hdo po0h '4'
comfortable in her he appeared on the plat
form and waved adieu TO the throngs beyond
the ropes. The party went on board speciaI
train in charge of General Manager krutschnitt
of the Southern Pacific Railway. Mrs. Mchln-
ley stood the trip to the train we'll 1t was the
first time she had felt the air since she arrived
in san Francisco and IT seemed to do her good.
DR.. RiXey said there were no III eIects Iroih
the excitement attending her departure.
Among the many notable incidents OF Presl-
dent McKinley's stay in this city was visit pald
him last evening by the Chinese Consul-General,
Ho Vow and the president OF the Chinese Six
Companies They were dressed in their dazzlng
official robes. After addressing the PRESIDENT
they presented many valuable gifts 10 hlTr