The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-08
HIS WIFE BY HIS SIDE
She Remains But a Short
While. All Others Ex=
cluded. No Probing
For the Bullet I'm
til Stronger.
til Stronger.
(By the Associated Press.)

tBy the ASSCcldCcQ 1TeSS.J
Buffalo, N. Y, Sept. 7.-President
McKinley's condition is extremely
grave. The crisis will probably
come within twenty-four hours.
While his physicians hold out
hope and the developments of the
day have been somewhat encourag-
ing in that none of the symptoms
of peritonitis or blood poisoning
which they SO much dread, have ao-
pecred, medical experience with
similar wounds causes much anxi-
city, and the physicians shake their
heads when they speak of the fu-
ture.
Although their distinguished pa
tient's condition has been favorable
throughout the day, they do not de-
sire to huoy the country up with
false hopes. Inflammation is what
they fear, and at the first sign in
that direction the country must
steel itself for the blow.
For the time being the bullet OF
tke assassin which is still in the
body, is p secondary consideration.
While it has not been absolutely
located they all agree that after
passing through the abdominal ca.
witty and perforating both walls of
the stomach perhaps, it lodged in
the neshy muscles of the back, and
If necessity required it could be
easily located with the Roentgen
~ 10
that it is now Of more Importance
that the President should recover
from the shock Of the first opera
tion than that he bullet should
be removed.
Peritonitis is what they dread
most and after that septic poison
ing and suppMration of the wound.
The crucial point will come within
AS hours, possibly sooner. Indeed,
one of the attending physicians
said today that if no signs of in
Illumination appeared before tomor-
row night he would consider the
chances of ultimate recovery ex-
ceedingly good. Several Of his coll
leagues, however, are not so san
guinc.
The President has been DOING
drovvsily throughout the ma jor por-
ton of the day. Two physicians
and two trained nurses arc con-
stantlv at his bedside. He has not
yet fully recovered from the effects
OF the ether which was admins
tered to him. He was under the
influence Of the powerful anasethe-
tic over an hour. The result is
that although perfectly rational
when conscious he dozes much of
the time.
ASKS FOR HIS WIFE.
Absolute quiet and freedom from
excitement, the pL ys;cians regard
rs the great essential mo.1, and
visitors are rigidly sxcluded. Not
a Cabinet officer, nor even Secre-
tary Cortclyou, was allow in the
sick chamber toda.. With the cx-
ception of the physicians and at
tendants, Mrs. Mckinley was the
only person who crossed tho thres ssh
hold. The President asked to see
her, and his physiCi, IS did Not have
the heart to refuse his request. She
WAS there but a few minutes seat
ed at his bedside, as he in his de-
votiOn to her in his illness has so
often been Mt hers.
LOVE LENDS HER STRENGTH.
1t was only when he asked her to
brave for both their sakes THAT she
fa1tered and almost broke down
With choking throat and brim1niny.
eyes she promised with a bow of
her head. Almost Immediately
thereafter she was led from the
room by Or. Rivey.
HCx~ kJ.s~ kx,x1-
ing ordeal has shown remarkable
fortitutic. She has been mistress
OF herself and her sorrow and has
becn almost as salM and self-pOs-
sessed as the President himself.
And M ,nor1 fLa,, that nor,ld l,s.