The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-11-22
M'KINLEl'S LAST WORDS
James Creelman's Book Gives Au-
thorized Version ct Martyred
Presidents DYING
Moments.

James Creelman's book ION the Great
Highway gives an authorized version
of the last words of President Mckinley.
Mr.. Creelman's account of what took
place and what was said in the death
chamber has received the endorsement of
Secretary Cortelyou. The writer quotes
first from the Presidents last speech 4:
the Pan-Anerican,: ex position. Then he
continues:
These were the Presidents last words
as statesman and leader. How had the
world received them? Even in his dying
hours he longed to hear the answer.
When the first agony of his wounds was
over, he sent for his faithful secretary.
Mr.. Cortelyou entered the room and
stood beside the stricken chief.
Its mighty lonesome in here, said
the President.
I know it is
the old familiar wrinkles appeared in his
face as he turned eagerly to his assistant.
"'How did they like my speech! he
asked
cit is regarded as one of the greatest
you have ever made, and has attracted
more attention than anything you have
said for years.
nestly into Mr.. Cortelyou's eyes.
"'How did they like it abroad?'
1T has attracted considerable atten-
ton abroad, and everywhere the COM
ment is favorable
"Isn't that good?' And he spoke no
more of things political, having heard the
echo Of his cry for peace.
''1n the afternoon of his last day on
earth the President began to realize that
his life was slipping away and that the
efforts of science could not save him. He
asked DR.. Rixey to bring the surgeons in.
One by one the surgeons entered and an
preached the bedside. When they were
gathered about him the President opened
his eyes and said:
1t is useless, gentlemen; think we
ought to have prayer
1.-The dying man crossed his hands on
his breast and half closed his eyes.
There was q beautiful smile on his coun-
tenance. The surgeons bowed their
heads. Tears streamed from the eyes of
the whitehead nurses on either side OF
the bed. The yellow radiance Of the sun
, shone softly in the room.
"'Our Father, which art in heaven
said the President, in a clear, steady
voice.
The lips of the surgeons moved.
'Hallowed be Thy name. Thy king
dom come Thy will be DONE
still air. The President opened his eyes
and closed them again.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven
"A long sigh. The sands of life were
running swiftly. The sunlight died out
and raindrops dashed against the win
| lows.
"'Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts as we forgive
| our debtors: and lead us not into temp
tation, but deliver us from evil
another silence. The surgeons looked
at the dying face and the trembling lips.
:" For Thine is the kingdom the power
| and the glory forever. Amen
Amen,' whispered the surgeons
Outside an army of newspaper writ
crs moved silently about the tents of the
telegraph operators and the bayonets of
the sentrles pacing slowly on all sides
glittered in the afternoon light. Beyond
the clear spaces of roped-off streets were
the, awed crowds. Even the policemen
spoke in hushed voices. As the sur
geons or cabinet officers or other friends
Of the dying President appeared they
were engulfed by the eager seekers for
news. Vice-President Roosevelt - who
| was so soon to wear the awful! mantle of
! authority-was summoned from his dis
tant hunting camp in the mountains
Tender words of sympathy from the rul-
ers of all nations came flashing over the
wires. o' LIZ
darkness descended upon the scene.
The President was conscious again. He
| asked for his wife. Presently she came
70 MIN leaning feebly on the arm of Mr..
Cortelyou. As she reached the side of
her husband and lover-who had read to
her every day at twilight for years from
the Bfble-she sank into chair. and
leaning her frail form over the white
| counterpart she took his hands in hers
and kissed them. There was a proup of
friends in the room, and they drew away
| from the sacred spectacle. The light of
! the candies behind the screen was re-
| Elected family on the white ceiling and
| tinted walls. 1t sparkled on the we'd
! ding ring.
! ''The Presidents eyes were closed His
! breath came slowly As he felt the
touch of his wife's lips he smiled. It
! was to be their last meeting.
"'Good-by! Good-by, alI!' -:
Mrs. Mckinley gazed into the white
face of the martyr and struggled for
strength to bear it. -.
90 1T is Gods way; His will not ours be
done =,
The President turned his face SLIGHTLY
| toward his wife. A look of ineffable love
shone in the haggard features. She held
his hands as child clings to its mother
| The ticking Of the clock in the next room
| could be heard. Once more the President
spoke. 81
Nearer, my God, to Thee
His soul was on his lips. His face
was radiant.