The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-21
mrs. M'KlNLEY STILL I'LL
ONLY A QUESTION OF TINE AS TO
WHEN THE END WILL COME.
A SINKING ATTACK YESTERDAY
Was Thought to be the Fata Moment.
The Most Powerful Heart Stimulants
known Produce a RaIly-The Doctors
Declare Her Unable TO Stand Another
such Attack-Intense Gloom Cast
Over the Entire City.

Such Attack-Intense Gloom Cast
Over the Entire City.
San Francisco, May 16.-Mrs. Nc
Kinley 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 is was
feared she would die before restora-
tives could be administered, but she re-
lsponded to the powerful heart slim
ulants that We're given to her and dur
ing the day improved to such and ex-
tent that hope Of her recovery, slight
Though it was. revived; but her life
hangs by a thread. She has taken no
solid food since she reached here on
Sunday and the physicians do not be-
llieye she could survive another sink
ing spell such as she experienced this
morning.
The new treatment for low vitality,
salt injection into the veins. was ad-
lministered to Mrs. Mrs. Mckinley n
ishe responded to the treatment.
h suffers little and bears up brave
Ily. During her periods of conscious
mess today. her mind has been clear.
THE president is constantly at her bed
side. and although worn by his long
vigil, is standing the awful strain with
remarkable fortitude.
Every banquet and public function,
PLANNED in his honor here, has been
abandoned, and the city with heavy
heart is watching Mrs. McKinley'S
battle for life. If the end should come,
the president and his porty will be
ready to start back with the remains
within t~wenty-four hours. The train
(which brought them here Will be used
ION the return trip and all arrangements
have been made to go 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 be-
Ilieved that she will be able to travel
before q week from the coming Mon
day. All the members Of the cabinet,
with the possible exception Of Secre-
ItaCy Long, will remain here to the
lend. His daughter is very i'll at Colo
Irado Springs and he is very a~pprehen-
Isive that he may be called there at any
time.
During the long weary watches of
the night, the president did not leave
Mrs. McKinley'S bedside. Shortly before
midnight, when DrS. Hirschfelder and
IGibbons departed and DR.. RiXey laid
down for a little rest, there was hope
that her life would be spared. All day
the president has watched the doctors
faces and scanned the demeanor of the
nurses for a sign of encouragement,
and they have urged him not to de-
Ispair.
Mrs. Mckinley had appreciably rail-
llied during the early hours Of the
might and at 10 o'clock was SO much
better that the president had gone to
Inavt 6n0r for a few moments tO at
tend a little reception 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.
At 5 o'clock this morning, the police
Ipatrolling outside and the little group
of newspaper watchers on the corner
Iopposite saw a stir in the house. Lights
lhickering here and there. a carriage
with rubber tires rolled swiftly up to
the door and DR.. Hirschfelder alighted.
The word was whispered that Mrs. Nc
IKinley was sinking: Fol a time it was
Thought she was dying, but powerful
artificial heart stimulants revived her
slightly.
When daylight came the doctors had
tanother consultation and the news
of Mrs. McKinley's sinking spell was
given out by Secretary C~ortelyou, but
no word of encouragement. With it
"SII l1olIllSdlIoI lIldl LII Ci
gagements for the remainder of the
presidents stay in San Francisco was
Icanceled. The president no longer had
the heart to hold out false hope thai
The would be able to attend any of the
functions arranged here in his n
The honors of the world were as moth
ing to him now. His only thought was
for the wife lowering between life and
death. He directed that all Mrs. Nc
IKinley's relatives be advised of the ex-
Itremely critical condition of her illness
Iand steeled himself for the worst.
In the city the bulletins at the news
paper offices announcing that the fes-
I~tivitieS of the week were abandoned,
fell like a pail upon the multitude. Not
until then vas it fully realized that
Mrs. Mckinley was at deaths door,
The people no longer waited the pres
lident's coming. Their voices were hush
ed and they stood in groups on the
I~streets discussing the brief tidings from
the sick room. The flags n banners
all about seemed a mockery in the
presence of the dying wife of the chief
Executive of the country.
The various committees in charge OF
the numerous entertainments hurried.
Ily issued bulletins that everything had
been abandoned out of respect to the
president.
The president could not be pursuad-
~ ~ IN
manned there constantly With the doc
TORS and nurses, seemingly incapable
of fatigue.
The room in which Mrs. Mckinley
LAY is a summer chamber at the south
least corner of the residence, but thu
flood of sunshine was excluded, lest the
bright light might disturb the patient
lGathered in the adjoining room were
the ladies of the cabinet. Miss Barber
MRS. McKinley's niece, had remained
lat the Scott residence all night, an6
Mr.. and Mrs. Morse. nephew and niece
lof Mrs. Mckinley, were summoned
learly this morning. Below stairs, tn
members of the cabinet. Postmaster
General Smith. Secretary Hay, Secre.
Itary Hitchcock and Secretary Wilson
were waiting.
From time to time Secretary Cortel
lyou. who has entire charge of every
thing throughout the entire ordeal O
the last few days, n who has beer
present almost continually, came dow