The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-17
THE VALLEY or DEATH
MRS. MCKINLEY MAY PASS AWAY
AT ANY MOMENT.
BUT LITTLE HOPE OFFERED.
SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT REPORTED
LAST NIGHT.

tertainment mt San Francisco Call
ed OG-Mrs. Mckinley Only Kept
Alive by stimulants-SaIt Injec-
tions Being Used-Should the Worst
Come the Party viii Promptly Re-
turn to Washington.
San Francisco, May 16.-Mrs. Mckinley
is in the shadow of the valley of death
and may pass away at any moment. This
morning, shortly before dawn, she sank
rapidly, and it was feared she would die
before restoratives could be administered
but she responded TO the powerful
heart stimulants that were given
to her, and during the day improved
20 such an extent that hope of her redov-
cry, slight though it was, revived. But
her life hangs by a thread
The new treatment for low vitality, salt
injections into the veins, was admins
tered to Mrs. Mckinley, and she respond
ed to the treatment. She has taken no
solid food since she reached here on Sun
day, and the physicians do not believe she
could survive another sinking spell such
as she experienced this morning. She suf
fers little and bears up bravely During
her periods of consciousness to-day her
mind was clear. The President is CON
stantly at her bedside, and although worn
out by his long vigil is standing the aw-
ful strain with remarkable fortitude.
Eevry banquet and public function, plan
ned in his honor here has been abau-
doned and the city with heavy heart is
watching Mrs. McKinley's battle for life.
If the end should come, the President
and his party will be ready to start back
with the remains within twenty-four
hours. The train which brought them
here will be used on the return trip, and
all arrangements have been made to so
back by the shortest route, the Central
and Union Pacific to Chicago and thence
via the Pennsylvania to Washington. If
Mrs Mckinley Shall improve, it is not
believed that she will be able to travel
before a week from the coming Monday.
All the members of the cabinet, with the
possible exception of Secretary Long, will
remain here to the end. His daughter is
very i'll at Colorado Springs, and he is
very apprehensive that he may be called
there at any time.
Mrs. Mckinley in Stupor.
From time to time Secretary Cortelyou,
who has had entire charge of everything
throughout the entire ordeal of the last
few days, and who has been present al
most continually, came down to keep
them informed of the developments. Mrs.
Mckinley suffered little. She lay prac-
tioahy in a stupor, and the doctors said
there was no pain. Everyone at the bed
side realized that she was in the shadow
OF death, and that it would require almost
miracle to save her.
AT II O'Clock the physicians had another
consultation. mo better was the state
mert they issued.
Privately they shook their heads. Mrs.
Mckinley had no reserve strength to call
upon. She had taken practically no nour-
ishment for several days, but even with
everything against her, they said there
was still bare chance for her TO sur
vive.
A Noticeable Improvement.
AS the day progressed there was no
ticeabe improvement in Mrs. Mckinley
condition, and a distinct revival of hope
in the minds of the anxious watchers at
her bedside. Her mind cleared ana she
asked the President about the ladies' OF
the apiuet, and how they were enjoying
themselves She expressed a desire that
her illness should not be allowed to in
terfere with their pleasure. Miss Hitcn~
cock and Miss Wilson, who were in the
next room at the time, were summoned,
and she greeted them with a faint smile.
During the progress of luncheon, which
Postmaster General Smith and Secretary
Hitchcock took with the President, Miss
Barber came down stairs and told the
small company that Mrs. NC
Kinley had just asked for chick
en- and coffee, saying she was
tired of the liquid nourishment that
the doctors were giving her. This evil
dence of her reviving strength was con-
sidered extremely gratifying and for
time the little company was almost ex-
ultant. Perhaps, however, the hope they
iet was disproportionate 20 the slight
grounds upon which it was based The
doctors, of course, were compelled to re-
fuse Mrs. Mckinley solid food. For two
Gays they have been able to give her only
beef tea and brandy, together with other
stimulants for her enfeebled heart action.
Nltro-glycerine and the most powerful
stmulants known to the medical profess
sion have been resorted to.
President Goes for n Walk.
At about 2;sO O'Clock the President de-
cided to go for a walk, and accompanied
by the Postmaster General, and the Sec
retary of the Interior, he strolled through
the nelghboring streets, returning the re-
speetful salutations which were met with
from all who recognized him. and once
or twice he stopped to shake hands with
those who stepped up and requested tnat
privilege.
upon his return to the house he cheeri-
~ told group OF newspaper men as
semhled there that Mrs. Mckinley was
holding her own. During the afternoon
the President expressed the opinion that
tne public was entitled to specific infor-
nation regarding the nature Of Mrs. Nc
hlnley's Illness, and the treatment she
was receiving. Up to that time the buile-
uHs issued at intervals since
Yesterday, had been of the briefest and
most vague character. and the public was
largely in the dark as to the character
OF the trouble which had brought her to
ueaths door. II was at the Presidents
nstinct request that the signed statement
ISSUED by the physicians was prepared and
given to the press.
An Anxious Crowd Around.
All day long Lafayette Park, opposite
tne Scott residence. was filed with
crowds of people. drawn thihter, not so
much by curiosity. as by an eager desire
LOT direct news from the sick room. AL
tnough fully 150 yards from the house,
many Of them spoke in whispers. Late IN
the afternoon little girl with an armfui
OF howers braved the blue coats and as
door.
brought those for Mrs. Mckinley"
ene lisped, I'VE are 80 sorry. hope she
VIII be better soon"
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