Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1901-05-16

San Francisco, May 16.-Owing to
the very seriSas character of Mrs. Nc
kinley's illness, the president has def
inltely decided To abandon his cOntem-
plated Northwestern tour and to return
to Washington direct. as soon as Mrs.
Mckinley is able to stand the Journey.
The gravity of Mrs. Mckinley's con-
dition has been known to the members
of the presidents immediate party for
several days, but had been concealed
in the belief that she would rally, as
she has done SO frequently in the past,
and with few days of absolute quiet
and rest would be restored TO her nor
NAL condition. But her present illness
has been attended with entirely new
complications. which have not yielded
TO the treatment, and the president
has concluded that ii was time the
public should be appraised of the true
situation. He is also anxious that the
citizens of the cities and towns along
the planned route of his return trip.
who have made such extensive prep
arations for his visit, should receive
prompt notification of the circumstan-
ces which compelled his decision DIR.
Henry Gibbons of San Francisco has
been called In consultation with DR..
Hirschfeider and DIR. Rixey. DIR. Glib
bons has a reputation here for his skill
in the treatment of bowel disorders.
1t was she presidents own wish that
another physician be called in consul
tation, because he desired that nothing
that science could do should be left
uIldone. He was especially anxious
that the diagnosis of the attending
physicians should agree. Ever since
Mrs. Mckinley arrived at the Scott
residence she has been desperately i'll.
Her extreme weakness has been the
most alarming feature of her condition.
Her vitality has been at low ebb and
she has seldom spoken to those about
her. The president has been continu-
ally Mt her bedside since their arrival
here Sunday night. save the few hours
Monday afternoon, when he left her to
go to San Jose. anu the three hours he
spent Tuesday in the parade. Fortu-
nateIy. Mrs. Mckinley slept through
his absence on both these occasions.
sfhe strain which tire pFesideut 1nmmefs
days has been very great. 1t has been
n personal sacrifice for him to carry
out his engagements here in order not
to disappoint the people. but he has
made it unselfishly. And ii is still
his desire to carry out the pre- arranged
program in San Francisco to whatever
extent he can.
Mrs. Nckinley's illness has cast q
shadow over the whole city. The peo-
pie have shown their sympathy in a
multitude of ways. All day long
groups have been standing across the
street opposite the Scott residence ST.
lently watching the drawn blinds Of
the room in which is Mrs. Mckinley
The news of the serious character of
her Illness evidently travelled fast, be-
cause from all over the country tele-
grams have been coming TO the preSi- |
dent expressing sympathy for Mrs.
Mckinley, and asking for tidings OF
her condition. Just how soon Mrs |
Mckinley will be able to travel is a |
question which no one can answer |
now. 1t may be necessary for her to |
remain here longer than next Mon |
day, when the party was originally |
scheduled to leave.
Indeed it is likely that 1t will be |
somewhat later before she Is able to |
endure the long trip across the coun-
try. but as soon as she Is sufficiently |
the trip will be made by the
most direct route. probably the Union
Pacific. No stops will be made. and
IL is believed the trip can be made In
five days.
After dinner last nigh, the members
of the cabinet called at the Scott res
idence. They reported Mrs. MeKin-
ley's condition as unchanged. When
she is conscious she recognizes the
president and asks for him. She Is
not regarded as in immediate danger
Of dissolution. There is no abandon
ment of hope that she will rally. but
In her weakened condition there could
not fail to be apprehension lest the