Evening star., 1901-09-14

that had fallen upon the happy party ;
that long Friday night when not
even the surgeons knew whether he
would survive until tomorrow, the
anxiety of Saturday and Sunday, but
still with a little star of hope rising
upon the horizon; the JOY and ex-
uberance of Tuesday, and Wednes-
day with every hour bringing new
and brighter prospects of recovery
The joyful meeting of the cabine
and Vice President and their separa
ton, confident in the, belief that al
was well, the quick and tragic sink
ing spell of Thursday night where
the Presidents vitality went down
down, down, until it gli1nmered );
mere spark, to be famed into a-feeblt
flicker again by the science and skill
oil the medical attendants, and ther
up to this fateful Friday. To most
of those present the panoramic
events of the week seemed like 3
dream.
Could Scarcely Realize the Facts.
Often was the expression used
that they could not realize the Pres
ident had been shot-could not be-
lieve it. The sun went down and the
last shadow flickered off the Milburn
lawn, with gray twilight creeping in
and still the party waited for def
mite news from upstairs. Every mes
sage that was brought down within
the hour was more discouraging
than the other.
Announcement of the End.
BUFFALO, N. Y, September Is.
twenty minutes more to
live was the announcement from
the Milburn house at 8 pm.
During the day there had been a
vestige, a bare vestige it was, of
hope, but later bulletins raveled out
even the attenuated thread upon
which that hung. Every one thought
OF Mrs. Mckinley, and the hearts of
all went out to her in sympathy.
They had tried all day to keep the
fatal news from her, but it is prob
able that when she saw the President
today she OWNED something of his
serious condition.
Mrs. McWilliams, Mrs. Barber,
Miss Mary Mckinley and Mrs. Dun
can were with her and gave her the
most tender and moving ministra-
tons. Secretary Wilson, rugged ma
ture that he is, was deeply affected
He, Mr.. Cortelyou and Senator Han
ma probably felt the threatened loss
more than any one beside the fam
lily. Secretary Wilson's face was
haggered and drawn and his voice
was husky with an emotion that he
did not try-to control and probably
could not if he tried.
senator Hanna Deeply Affected.
Senator Hanna's whole frame
shook with the grief he was trying to
keep from mastering him as he
the steps of Milburn house
painfully and slowly. Senator Fair
banks and Secretary Hitchcock were
also under great stress of emotion.
Mr.. Hitchcock has entertained a
warm personal attachment for the
President and has been one of the
closest friends the President had in
he cabinet.
When he heard of the shooting he
was in an isolated section of New
England, where train schedules were
lnfavorable. He chartered special
rain and in two hours was speeding
westward. Mr.. Hitchcock plainly
shows the grief he feels over the
catastrophe in face and manner.
Quickly the twilight faded to dark
ness, and one by one the lights
'prang up in Milburn house. At 7
o'clock it was said that the physi-
,ians had no longer hope.
At 7 O'Clock Charles R. Huntley,
Pan-American director, came out
of the house and said there was abb
no hope. Soon after =
o'clock the watchers in the Milburn
house were given to understand that
he. President was dying.
bad News Travelled Quickly.
The bad news OF the. afternoon had
raveled quickly over town. The COR
lon of police and soldiers were drawn|
more tightly about the premises and
'tricter precautions were taken to|
prevent intrusion.