Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-09-18

Words We're, "Good.bye, All, Goodbye
Il Is Gods Way; His VIII be Done," and
Chanting "hearer, My God, to Thee" the
Beloved President Passes Peacefully Into
tho Valley OF the Shadow Of Death.
Milburn House, Buffalo, N. Y, Sop.
tembor 14.-President Mckinley diod at
81 o'clock this morning. He had boon
unconscious since 7.30 p. m. His con-
scious hour on earth was spent with the
wife to whom he devoted lifetime of
caro-. He died unattended by minister
of the Gospel, but his last words wore
an humble submission to tho will of the
God in whom ho beloved. He was rec
oncilod to tho cruel fate to which an as
sassn's bullet had condemned him, and
faced death in tho same spirit of calm
ness and poise which has markod his
long and honorable career. His last
conscious words reduced to writing by
DR.. Mann, who stood at his bedside when
they wore uttered, wero as follows
"Good-bye, all, goodbye. 1t is Gods
way; His will be DONE"
His relatives and members of the Off
cial family wero at tho Milburn house,
except Secretary Wilson, who did not
avail himself of the opportunity, and
some Of his personal and political friends
took leave of him. This painful cero-
mony was simple. His friends came to
the door of tho siok room, took long
ing glance at him and turned tearfully
away. 1Io was practically unconscious
during this timo. But tho powerful
heart stimulants, including oxygen, were
employed to restore him to conscious
ness for his final parting with his wife.
He asked for hcr and she sat at his side
and held his hand. Ho consoled her and
bado her goodbye. She went through
tho heart trying scene with tho samo
bravery and fortitude with which she
had borno tho griof of the tragedy which
has onded his lifo.
THE END DRAWS NEAR.
At about 6 O'Clock Friday evening /. .
One by ono they ascondod the stairway
Secretary Root, Secretary Hitchcock and
Attorney General Knox. Secretary Will
son was also there, but ho held back,
not wishing to see the President in his
last agony. There was only momen-
tary stay of tho Cabinet officers at the
threshold of tho death chamber Thon
they withdrew, tho toars streaming down
their faces and tho words of intense
grief choking in their throats After
they left the sick room tho physicians
rallied him to consciousness and tho
President asked almost instantly that his
wife DO brought to him.
The doctors foil back into the shadows
OF tho room and Mrs. Mckinley camo
through the doorway. Tho strong face
of the dying man lighted up. with a faint
sat beside him and hold his hand. Des.
pitc her physical weakness she bore up
braycly under the ordeal.
Thcn his mind began to wander and
soon aftcrward he completely lost con-
seriousness. His life was prolonged for
hours by tho administration of oxygen,
and then the President finally expressed
a desire to be allowed to die. About
$50 the administration of oxygen ceased
and tho pulse grew fainter aud fainter.
Ho was sinking gradually like q child
into the eternal slumbcr. BY 10 o'clock
the pulse could not longer DO fclt in his
cxtromities and thoy grew cold. Below
stairs tho gricf-strickcn gathering waited
sadly for the end.
TIE PRESIDENT DYING.
AT OBI Secretary Cortoyou, who had
been much of tbs timo at tho side of his
dying chief, sent out formal notification
that the President was dying. But ho
fingered on, his pulse growing fainter
and fainter.
There was no need for official bulletins
after this. Those who camo from tho
house at intervals told the same story
that tho President was dying and that
tho end might como at any time. His
tremendous vitality was the only remain
ing factor in the result and this gave
hopo only of brief postponemcnt of tho
end
Ills LAST WORDS.
The President, in his last period of con
seriousness, which ended about 7.4Op D. m.
chantcd tho words of tho hymn, "Nearer,
My God, to Thce," and his last audible
words as taken down by DR..
Mann at tho bedside were: "Good-byc,
all, goodbye. 1t is Gods way; His will
be DONE"
Minutes lcngthcncd to hours and mid
night came with tho President still bat
Ting against death.
TIE END VERY NEAR.
Shortly after midnight the Presidents
breathing was barely porceptible. His
pulse had practically ceased and the OK
were cold. 1t was recognized
that nothing remained but the last strug-
gle, and some of the frionds of tho family,
who had remained through tho day,
be present at the final scene.
CIT IS ALL OVER"
The announcement of tho death to the
members Of the Cabinet was made by
Webb Hayes, who said: at is all oycr.H
Mrs. Mckinley last saw her husband
between and ~. At that time she sat
oy tho bedside holding his hand. The
Of the Cabinet were admitted
70 tho sick room singly at that time.
The actual death probably occurred
about O'Clock, it being understood that
DR.. Rixcy delayed tho announcement
to assure himself. The an
lounccment of the news to those wait
ng below was postponed until the mcm-
Dcis of tho family had withdrawn.
GREAT SIGI OF ANGUISH.
When the news was impaired to those
downstairs great sigh Of anguish went
up from tho strong men thoro assembled.
The members OF the Cabinet, Senators
md friends remained but fow minutes.
Then with molirnful and bowed heads
hey camo out into tho darkness and
vent away. There was not ono among
hem with dry eyes and some moancd in
IN agony of grief.
The military guard was augmented i'm
ncdiatciy upon tho announcement The
waiting crowds melted away rapidly,
giving expression in unmistalsable terms
% the great sorrow they fclt.
ALONE WITH TIE DEAD.
With tho momcntary excitement Incl
lent upon tho end tho entire scene be.
'amo ono of unmistakablo and doep
Mourning AS if nature lent it's aid to
,hc gricving crowds dense fog settled
Ike pail over tho city. Tho Milburn