The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-23
MRS. M'KINLEY VERY ILL
President Abandons Proposed Trip
to the Northwest.

10 Tile NORTHWEST
San Francisco, May 16.--Owing to
the very serious character of Mrs. Nc
Kinley's illness, the president has def
hitely decided to abandon his con-
templated northwestern tour and to
return to Washington direct as soon
as Mrs. Mckinley is able to stand the
journey. The gravity Of Mrs. Nc
Kinley's condition has been known to
the members of the presidents imme-
date party for several days, but had
been concealed in the belief that she
would rally as she mad done so fire.
quently in the past when suffering
from one of her periods of depression,
and, with few days of absolute quiet
and rest, be restored to normal con-
dition. But her present illness has
been attended with entirely new COM
plications, which have not yielded
to treatment, and the president con-
Guided that it was time the public
should be appraised of the true situa-
ton. He is also anxious that the
the planned route on his return trip
arations for his visit should receive
stances which impelled his decision.
The members of the cabinet are
very apprehensive that Mrs. McKin-
ley will not rally. Her physicians
have not yet been able to check the
bowel trouble, and her enfeebled con-
dition mitigates against her. But at
the Scott residence it is stated that
there is no immediate danger, al
though a change for the worse would
not be unexpected.
San Francisco, May 17-Mrs. Nc
Kinley is i'll the valley of the shadow
of death and may pass away at any
moment. Yesterday morning shortly
before dawn she sank rapidly, and
it was feared she would die before
restoratives could be administered.
But she responded to the powerful
heart stimulants which We're given
her, and during the day improved to
such an extent that hope of her re-
covery, slight thought it was, revived.
The new treatment for low vitality,
salt injections into the veins, was adj
ministered to Mrs. Mckinley and she
responded to the treatment. But her
life hangs by thead. She has taken
no solid food since she reached here
on Sunday, and the physicians do not
believe she can survive another sink
ing spell such as she experienced yes
terday morning. She suffers little
and bears up bravely. During her
periods of consciousness yesterday
her mind has been clear. The presi-
dent is constantly at her bedside, and
though worn by his long vigil, is
standing the awful strain with re
marllable fortitude.
planned in his honor here has been
heart is watching Mrs. McKinley's
battle for life. If the end should
come the president and his party will
be ready to start back with the re-
mains within twentv-four hours.
San Francisco, May 1s.-President
Mckinley described the marked inn
provement in Mrs. McKinley's condi-
ton yesterday as a transformation.
But, perhaps even the president of
the United States NAV over state the
case in his citation. at the prospect of
his wife's recovery. Certain it is,
however, that Mrs. McKinley's condi-
| ton improved to an extent that, fair
ly nonplussed the doctors, brighten
ed the anxious and devoted husband
and filled the city with joy and
Thanksgiving.
The sinking spell that was feared
in the early hours before dawn when
the tide flows out and the vitality of
the world is at it's lowest ebb, did
not come.
San Francisco, May 21.-Although
Mrs. McKinley's condition has great
ly improved, her physicians have
named week or ten days as the
| shortest possible time in which she
can gather strength to make the trip
across the continent. The immediate
members of the presidential party
will therefore remain here for that
length of time. though it is probable
| that the others will leave for the east
| during the present week.
They go direct from San Francisco
to Canton. AT Mrs. McKinley's old
home, surrounded with familiar faces
and with every comfort, it is expect
ed that her recuperation will be more
rapid than if she went to Washing
ton.