Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-09-18

mors gained frequent circulation that
death had already actually occurred.
The arrival of the coroner gave rise
to one such rumor and a flood of
groundless dispatches were sent say
ing that the end had come. These
were speedily set at rest by an official
statement from within the house that
the reports of death were premature.
The Beginning of the End.
About 2 o'clock DR.. Rixey noticed
the unmistakeable signs of dissolution
and the immediate members OF the
| family were summoned to the bedside.
Mrs. Mckinley was asleep and it was
deemed desirable not to awaken her
for the last moments of anguish.
Silently and sadly the members Of
the family stole into the room. They
stood about the foot and sides of the
bed where the great mans life was
ebbing away. Those in the circle
were: Abner Mckinley, the presi-
dents brother; Mrs. Abner Mckinley;
Miss Helen, the presidents sister;
Sarah Duncan, another sister; Miss
| Mary Barber, a niece; Miss Sarah
Duncan; Lieutenant J. F. Mckinley,
nephew: William M. Duncan. a
nephew; Charles G. Dawes, former
comptroller of the currency; F. M.
Osborne, a cousin; Colonel Webb c..
Hayes; John Barber, nephew; Sec
retary George B. Cortelyou; Colonel
w. c. Brown, the business partner of
Abner Mckinley; DR.. P. M. Rixey, the
family physician, and six nurses and
attendants.
In an adjoining room sat the physi-
clans, including Doctors McBurney,
Wasdin, Parke, Stockton and Mynter.
It was now 2:05 o'clock and the
minutes were slipping away. Only
the sobs of those in the circle about
the presidents bedside
Broke the Awe.Like Silence.
Five minutes passed, then six,
seven, eight. Now DR.. Rixey bent
forward and then one of his hands
was raised as If in warning. The
fluttering heart was just going to rest.
A moment more and DR.. Rixey
Strengthened up and with choking
voice said:
"The president is dead"
Secretary CortelyOu was the first to
Su4 - AAOAA LuO SLklChcu CA1C1 11O
stepped from the chamber to the outer
hall and then down the stairway to
the large room where the members of
the cabinet, senators and other off,
cials were assembled AS his tense,
white face appeared at the doorway
hush fell upon the assemblage.
"Gentlemen, the president has
passed away" he said.
For a moment not word came in
reply. Even though the end had
been expected the acual announce
ment that William Mckinley was dead
fairly stunned these men, who had
been his closest confidants and ad-
visers. Then groan of anguish went
up from the assembled officials. They
cried outright like children. All the
pent up emotions Of the last few days
were let loose. They turned from
the room and came from the house
with streaming eyes.
The Public Is Informed.
Through Private Secretary Cor
telyou the waiting newspaper men
newspaper men received the notiflca-
ton. In trice there was the keenest
excitement in the broad avenue, but
there was no semblance Of disorder.
The waiting crowds melted away
rapidly, giving expression in unmis-
takeable terms to the great sorrow
they felt. Within a brief space of
time the newspaper men, the police
men, the sentries of the guard and
those whose duties kept them abroad
were the only persohs in evidence
within the immediate vicinity.
With the momenrary excitement in
| cident upon the announcement of
death the entire scene became one of
unmfstakeable and deep mourning. AS
If nature lent its aid to the grieving
crowds dense fog settled like a pail
over the city. The Milburn house be-
came tomb of silence. Lights not
extinguished were dimmed, visitors
were denied admittance and the
mourning family and their more init
hate friends were speedily left alone
with the distinguished dead.