Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-17
SLIGHTLY BETTER.
Continued from page 1.)

cd little She lay practically in Il stu
por and the doctors said there was no
pain.
As the day progressed there was a
noticeable Improvement in MIS-. NC
Einley's condition, and Distinct re-
vival of hope i'm the minds of the onX-
ious watchers at her bedside. Her NINA
cleared and she asked the President
about the ladies of the party and how
they were enjoying Themselves. She
expressed Il desire that her iliiteSS
should not he allowed to interfere with
their pleasure. Miss Hitchcock a'h
Miss Wilson. who were in the ncTt
room at the time. We're summoned ana
she greeted them with a faint smile
During the progress of luncheon.
which Postmaster General smith IN"
Secretaries Hay and Hitchcock TOOK
with the President. Miss Barber came
down stairs and told the small cont
pany that Mrs. Mckinley had Just
asked for chicken and coffee. saying
she was tired of the liquid nouris1in"ht
that the doctors were giving her. rms
evidence Of her reviving strength was
considered extremely gratifying. The
doctors. of course, Were compelled 70
refuse Mrs. Mckinley solid food. For
two days they have been able to give
her only beef tea and brandy. together
with other stimuiants for her enfccbled
heart action. Nitro glycerinc and the
most powerful stirQulants known TO
the profession have been resortcd to.
At so o'clock the President decided
to go for walk, accompanied by the
postmaster general ana secretary OF
the interior. he strolled trough the
neichboring streets. returning the re-
spectful SalutatiOns which were met
with from all who recognized bin. and
once or twice he stopped 10 shake
hands with those vino stepped Ur and
requested the privilege. Upon his re-
turn TO the house he checrily told 2
group of newspaper men assembled
there that Mrs. Mckinley was holding
her own.
All day long Lafayette park, oppo-
site the Scott residence. was filed with
crowds OF people. drawn thithcr. not
50 much by curiosity as by an eager
desire for direct news from the sick
room. Their profound sorrow was ap-
parent from the silent. respectful way
in which they obcycd the iniunctions Of
coping Of the road which runs through
the certer of the park. Although fully
$50 yards from the house. Many of
them spoke in whispers.
Late in the afternoon a little girl
with an ar,nfui of flowers bravcd the
bl,lccoats and assembled the steps The
butler O,icpcd thc door. II brought
these for Mrs. Mckinley" she lispcd.
We are 50 sorry. | hope she will lie
better soon" Then she handed over the
flowers and slipped away.
Bishop Nichols of the Episcopal
church was orc of the visitors To the
Scott mansion. this afternoon. lie spent
some time with Mrs. Mckinley and rs
he LEFT the house the seriousness of his
expression was commented upon by the
waiting crowd his visit was informal.
as Mrs. Mckinley ana he are Of differ
cnt religious denominations.
\ special Western Union wire was
stretched into the Scott house. today.
Secretary CortcIyou is thus enabled to
notify Washington direct as to Mrs.
MCKinlcy's condition.
At o'clock tonight. all was fuict
aroun the Scott home. About ano pco-
pl" were assembled in Lafayette
square awaiting developments. There
was feeling Of relief when Secretary
Cort"lyou summoned the press repre-
scntativc3 ana gave them the bulletin
announcing that the physicians report
ed Mrs. McI<inlcy's condition decidedly
Improved since morning, and that their
patient was resting we'll ut that hour.
\ large detail of police was on duty
keeping 1cdest"iars and teams from
approaching the house.
Inside the house TWO telegraph opcr-
atcrs are kept busy answering the
PIES iGcnts correspondence. outside in
tho park ? telephone booth is being
erected TO facilitate communication be-
tween the different newspapers and
thcir reporters stationed outside the