Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-18

She Is Bearing Up Bravely Now,
But q Reaction Is Prob.
able.
Washington, D. c., Sept. 1s-Mrs. Nc
kinley left the white house at 1880
last evening for the last time. 1t is
seventy-three days since, leaning on the
arm of her husband, she departed for
her home in Canton, where, it was
hoped, familiar associations and the
happy memories connected with her
home would aid in restoring her health.
She had then just risen from a bed of
sickness.
Yesterday afternoon, just as the sun
was setting on the last day which Mrs
Mckinley says she will ever spend in
Washington, she knelt beside the bed
where she spent SO many hours of pain,
and in a broken voice cried to her de-
voted niece, Miss Mary Barber, that she
that bed of pain. She wept silently for
some time, with her head buried in the
clothing, and then her nurse lifted her
up and she remained quiet until it was
time to depart upon the last stage Of her
husbands funeral journey.
Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley, DIR.
and Mrs. Herman Baer, Mrs. Duncan
and the Misses Duncan, Miss Helen
Mckinley, Mr.. and Mrs. Barber, and
Miss Mary and Miss Ida Barber, who
have been in the white house since last
night, assembled in the main lobby and
entered the closed carriage prepared for
the departure for the station.
With Mrs. Mckinley was DR.. Rixey
and Miss Mary Barber, the girl who has
been her aunt's mainstay. not only in
this crisis, but in many other illnesses
and troubles. She is Mrs. McKinley's
chief dependence. and since the presi-
dent was shot has lived and slept by her
aunt's side. The late president was very
fond of Miss Barber. and after Mrs. Nc
kinley's illness in the spring he pre-
sented to the girl handsome diamond
ring and locket containing miniatures
of Mrs. Mckinley and himself.
Mrs. Mckinley spent the entire day in
her bedroom. 1t was decided early in
the morning that it would be best for
her not to be present at the state exer-
c:ses at the capitol. Monday night as
soon as the presidents body was placed
in the east room, she begged piteously
fer permission to say goodnight to her
dear husband.
DR.. Rixey Immediately ordered that
the east room be cleared even of the ma
val and marine guard of honor. Sup
ported by her physician. she was led to
the coffin, and spent half hour sitting
quietly beside her husbands body. She
then went to her room and slept quietly
until dawn was breaking when she
awakened DR.. Rixey and again asked to
go to the east room. This request was
complied with in the same manner
After the body of the president was
taken to the rotunda of the capitol she
retired to her room and spent the entire
day with her sister and nieces, Mrs.
Barber and her daughters.
Several times turnout the day she all
luded to her happy life in Washington.
and seemed to dwell with particular
pathos on the first day of her arrival in
| the white house. Mrs. Cleveland was
there to welcome her and had prepared
a reception fer her. After each reminis-
cence she wept as tho she regretted all
the trumphs, social and political, which
had only led to the tragedy of her be-
reayement.
Many distinguished people called dur
ing the afternoon, but none was admit
ted to Mrs. McISinley's presence. Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt called twice,
once in the morning and again in the
afternoon. but on neither occasion did
| they see Mrs. Mckinley. Secretary and
Mrs. Hay. Secretary, Mrs, and the
Misses Hitchcock, and the Postmaster
General and Mrs. Smith, the other
| members of the cabinet, and all the high
| officials of the government called, and
many left flowers and messages of con-
dolence.
Speaking of the alarming reports of
Mrs. McKinley's health. Dr. Rixey, who
| for four years has been her attending
4 physician said:
Mrs. Mckinley has not given occa-
sion for Immediate alarm. She is grief
| stricken, as any wife who has lost her
1 husband would be. From the first mo-
ment of receiving sad news she has
wept copiously, and this. as everyone
knows is a favorable sign. We remem-
Der, of course, with much apprehension,
that excitement has always been TO her
a certain stimulant, and it may be that
a merciful dispensation of Providence is
aiding her to bear her burden now; but
put the case that, let any wife be as
feeble as Mrs. Mckinley and dependent
on her husband as she has been, and let
her be deprived Of that maintsay by a
staggering calamity, and i doubt If the
strongest woman in the land could bear
II better. She has subdued her grief
in perfectly natural way.
The climax of her sorrow will come
at Canton. The home into which the
dead body of her husband will be borne
in the homestead which she entered as
his happy bride. No other place, eltne.
to the president or to ner, mas been
home. We fear. Of course, that there
will be collapse. but that is only nat
ural, all things considered"
4 The friends of Mrs. Mckinley are Sc
riously alarmed about her. They speak
with grave apprehension of the days