The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-14
DAY WAS BEGUN IN HOPE.


BUFFALO, Sept 13.-The Presidents last
day, which ended in despair, was begun in
hope. The ills that came on Friday after
noon when the organs of digestion refused
to handle the solid food that had been
taken earlier in the day had seemingly been
overcome by midnight, and when the new
day came it found the President relieved
and resting. Hope that had suddenly
dropped from the high place which 1t had
held began to revive. The healing OF the
wounds had progressed favorably, general
conditions were in the main quite salts
factory and the immediate future of the
case seemed to hold no threat The physi-
clans. who had been in almost constant
attendance during the night, parted and
the watch in the sick room was reduced.
Suddenly there was failure of the heart,
which for several days had been manifest
ing signs of weakness. and the President
sank toward Inconsistencies. This was at
o'clock in the morning. There was an
immediate application of restoratives. and
a general call went out to the absent
physicians and nurses. Digitalis. strych-
MIA and saline solution were administered
TO the patient, but there was no
immediate response to treatment.
The physicians admitted that he was
desperately i'll and Secretary Cortelyou
decided to send for the relatives and close
friends of the President, the Vice President
and the members of the Cabinet. Those
within reach were called by telephone or
messenger, and kilograms were rushed to
those who had left the city The first Of
the messages went out at 2:3O o'clock, and
within half an hour the AIilburn house be-
gan to fill again.
The serious condition of the President
and the general call sent out gave rise to
a general feeling of alarm that was never
again allayed. Desperate measures were
resorted to in order to stimulate the heart,
and the sinking spell was over by 4 o'clock.
1t was decided to continue the treatment,
and the physicians laid their greatest hopes
on weathering the day. 1t was agreed that
If the wounded man could be carried for
twenty-four hours his chances would be
very favorable, for the wounds were heal
ing splendidly. 1t was decided to summon
DR.. w. NJ. Johnston, of Washington, and
Dr. +. @. Janeway, of New York, heart
specialists, and kilograms were hurried out
asking that they come at once. Before
dawn a dozen of the relatives and friends
of the President arrived at the Milburn
house. They assembled in the drawing
room, where they waited for tidings from
the sick room above them. The physicians
assured them that the President had a
fighting chance for his life. and to the hope
that in the end victory would be his they
chung all day.
Hundreds of visitors came during the
morning, and if the police had not kept the
streets clear and barred entrance to Della
ware avenue there would have been thou
sands. Senator Hanna, close personal and
political friend of the President, hurried up
from Cleveland by special train. Other
friends arrived by regular trains, and all
through the day they came in increasing
numbers. Their regret and sympathy were
profound. The day developed but little en-
enlargement for them, however. During
the forenoon the President made a slight
gain of strength and held it well into the
afternoon. His physicians announced that
they had again given him nourishment and
il was thought that possibly there was a
chance for further gain of strength. 1t
was known, however, that he was in very
serious state, and every interest centered
in the sickroOm in Milburn house, where
the struggle was in progress. Suddenly. al
3 o'clock in the afternoon, there was a
repetition of the heart attack, and those in
| the presence of the stricken man knew that
the end was at hand. This knowledge soon
spread TO the street, and the waiting news
paper men bulletined it to the world. Every
one who came from the house was besought
| for an expression as 10 the state of the
President. Each succeeding report was
worse than its predecessor and the official
| bulletins were absolutely without hone