Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-16
At DEATHS DOOR
Mrs. McKinIey's Life
Hangs by Thread.
DOCTORS SLIGHT HOPE
President at Her Bedside All
the Time.
THE Ind MAY COME at ANY MOMENT
Friends and Relatives Notified of
THE End MAY COME At ANY MOMENT
Friends and Relatives Notified of
Her Dangerous Condition.
ALL PROGRAMS ABANDONED

Special From a STAFF Correspondent.
SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, May 16-Mrs.
Mckinley is slowly dying unless all human
knowledge is at fault. There is not one
chance in hundred that she will recover
and he taken back to Washington alive.
She is unconscious most of the time and is
steadily growing weaker. Her wonderful
recuperative powers assert themselves at
intervals
The life spark, however, is Pickering low,
and around the Scott mansion. away out
on the high hills of San Francisco the easy
tread and downcast countenances of all,
from the highest in official life to the most
humble servant. plainly reveals the true
situation.
The three physicians are working with
all that medical science has in store to save
the life of their patient, while the President
casts all thought of sleep and rest aside
being at the bedside and with suppressed
emotion watching the ebb and flow of the
life that has been part of his for so many
long years. He has not left the room since
yesterday forenoon. when Mrs Mckinley's
condition again gave him hopes and ne
was induced to go for walk in the park
on the adjoining square No official an
nounCement of the most critical condition
of Mrs. Mckinley is made, although the
first bulletin this morning stated that the
physicians reported that Mrs. McKinley's
condition not then so favorable she
having passed through a sinking spell at 5
o'clock in the morning.
DIR. Rixey's Heroic Efforts.
When DIR. Rixey was called in at that
hour he remained until o'clock. With
stimulants he recalled the fast-feeting life
and two three hours later the distin-
guished patient was resting somewhat
more comfortably. DR.. Rixey has hardly
left the bedside of Mrs Mckinley since
she was brought here Sunday afternoon.
Two of the best nurses in San Francisco
aid the physicians in their brave work.
The daily program arranged for the Presi-
dents entertainment has been abandoned,
and disappointmersts is lost in the prevailing
sadness. All hearts are turned to the home
where Mrs. Mckinley lies battling for life
Hundreds of kilograms of sympathy are
reaching the Scott house from every nook
and corner of the land which holds deep
affection for the chief magistrate. From
Washington. Oregon and other states that
expected to see the President come heart
felt messages. expressing, not disappoin-
ment. but poignant grief
Health Has Grown Steadily Poorer.
poorer in the last year was the opinion of
all those who have seen her go in and out
of the White House on her occasional daily
drives. When she started on this trip there
was hope that she would be benefited. Such
excursions have benefited her before Di-
felon developed on one hand. 1t grew more
painful each day and, while at Los Angeles
Mrs. Mckinley was suffering considera BILE
pain The loss Of rest and sleep there tolt
heavily on her, so much so, that when the
train arrived at Del Monte Saturday morn
ing she reluctantly arose to go TO the hotel
al that day she showed signs of weak
ness. DIR. Rixey consulted the Presiden
about her condition, and it was decided t
leave Del Monte Saturday and take her t
this place. trusting that a week of res
would restore her.
In the meantime diarrhoea had developed
Mrs. Mckinley was too weak TO take pow
erful medicines to check this. Her consti
tuition was not such as TO permit heroi
treatr -ent. Naturally her invalid natur
and weak condition could not stand the at
tack. Complicated with this was SOM
fever. All the members of the party knew
brave struggle she had made in the pas
and that she had conquered disease ant
lived despite her Affections
They believed that she might do the sam
again.
Strong Powers of RccuperatIon,
Her hold on life has been tenacious an
her powers of recuperation have surprise
many physicians. DR. Hirschfelder one c
the attending physicians, is the famil
physician of Henry NJ Scott. and DR.. Her
ry Gibbons. who was called in consultat ito
yesterday. is the dean OF the leading med
cal college here. Should Mrs. McKinle
win the gigantic battle she is fighting sh
Will be too weak for several weeks to /
taken back east and the stay of the Pres
dent. here will necessarily be indefinit
What arrangement will be made for 9th,
members of the party il undetermine,