The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-17

parted and DR.. Rixey laid down for little
rest. there was hope that her life would be
spared. All day the President had watched
the faces OF the doctors and the nurses
for sign Of engagement. and they had
urged him not to despair. Mrs. Mckinley
had appreciably rallied during the early
hours of the night and at 10 o'clock was so
much better that the President had gone in
next door TO show himself for a few min
utes at a little reception which was being
held there. After midnight for hours there
was no sign of life in the Scott mansion
except the night lamp burning low in Mrs.
McKinley's room. The fog had drifted in
with the coming of the sea wind and the
city lay swathed in it as in a shroud.
At o'clock this morning the police pa
trolling on tiptoe outside and the little
group OF newspaper watchers on the corner
opposite saw a stir in the house. Lights
fiickered here and there, a carriage with
rubber tires rolled swiftly up to the door
out of the gloom and DIR. Hirschfelder
alighted The word was whispered that
Mrs. Mckinley was sinking. For a time
it was thought she was dying. but powerful
artificial heart stimulants revived her
slightly. When daylight came the doctors
Mrs McKinley's sinking spell was given
out by Secretary Cortelyou, who spoke no
word of encouragement Formal notifica-
tIon was made that all arrangements of
the remainder of the Presidents stay in
San Francisco were Cancelled. The Presi-
dent no longer had the heart to hold out
false hope that he would be able to attend
any of the functions arranged here in his
honor. His only thought was for the wife
who was lowering between life and death
lie directed that all of Mrs. McKinleys $
relatives be advised of the critical con-
dition of her illness and steeled himself for
the worst
FELL LIKE A PAIL.
In the city the bulletins at the newspaper
Offices announcing that the festivities of
the week were abandoned fell like a pail
upon the multitude. Not until then was II
fully realized that Mrs. Mckinley was at
deaths door. Joy was turned to sadness.
The people no longer waited the Presidents s
coming. Their voices were hushed and they
stood in groups on the streets discussing
the tidings from the sick room. The flags
and banners all about seemed a mockery.
The committees in charge of numerous en-
tertainments issued bulletins that every
thing had been abandoned out OF respect
TO the President.
Meantime an air of death itself pervaded
the Scott residence. Servants fitted about
like shadows. Messenger boys with tele-
grams and cables from all parts of the
world inquiring for news of Mrs Mckin-
leys condition passed in endless streams
to the door, which opened noiselessly a.
their approach. The President could not
be persuaded to leave the sickroom. and
he remained there constantly with the doc
tors and nurses. seemingly incapable OF
fatigue.
The room in which Mrs Mckinley lay is a
sunny chamber at the southeast corner OF
the residence. but the flood of sunshine was
excluded lest the bright light might dis
turb the patient. Gathered in the adjoining
room were the ladies of the Cabinet.
Miss Barber, Mrs. McKinley's niece.
CONTINUED ON PAGE A. COL. 3D.