The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-17

Dan t'RANClSCO, May 16-MrS. Nc
Kinley is in the valley of the shadow of
DEATH and may pass away at any mo-
ment This morning shortly before dawn
she sank rapidly, and it was feared She
would die before restoratives could be
administrated. But she responded to the
powerful heart stimulants which were
given to her, and during the day she
improved to such an extent that hope Of
her recovery, slight though It was, re-
Vived.
The new treatment for low vitality-saIt
injections into the veins-was administer
ed to Mrs. Mckinley, and she responded
to the treatment But her life hangs by
a thread She has taken no solid food
since she reached here on Sunday, and
the physicians do not believe she could
survive another sinking spell such as she
experienced this morning. She suffers lit
tie and bears up bravely. During her
periods Of consciousness today her mind
has been clear The president is con-
stantly at her bedside, and, although
worn by his long vigil, is standing the
awful strain with remarkable fortitude
ALL PLANS CANCELLED.
Every banquet and public function
planned in his honor here has been aban-
dOned, and the city with heavy heart is
watching Mrs. McKinleys battle for life
If the end should come, the president and
his party will be ready to start back
hours. The train that brought them here
will be used on the return trip, and all
the arrangements have been made to get
back by the shortest route-the Central
and Union Pacific to Chicago, and thence
via the Pennsylvania to Washington. If
Mrs. Mckinley improves, It is not be-
leved she will be able to travel before
week from the coming Monday. All the
members of the cabinet, with the possible
exception of Secretary Long, will remain
here to the end. The latters daughter is
very i'll at Colorado Springs, and he IS
apprehenslve that he may be called there
at any time.
During the long weary watches of the
night the president did not leave Mrs.
a1cKinley's bedside Shortly before mid
night, when Drs. Hirschfelder and Glib
bOns departed, and Dr. Rixey laid down
for a little rest there was hope that her
life would be spared All day the presi-
dent has watched the doctors faces and
scanned the demeanor of the nurses for
a sign of encouragement and they had
urged him not to despair. Mrs. Mckinley
had appreciably rallied during the early
hours of the night, and at 10 o'clock was
so much better that the president had
gone IN next door to show himself for
few minutes at a little reception which
was being held there After midnight for
hours there was no sign Of life in the
Scott mansion except the night lamp
burning low in Mrs. McKinley's room.
The fog had drifted in with the coming
of the sea wind, and the city lay swath
ed in it as in a shroud.
At s o'clock this morning the officers
patrolling on tip-toe outside, the little
group of newspaper watchers on the
corner opposite, saw u stir in the house.
Lights flickered here and there, car
riase with rubber tires rolled swiftly up
TO the door out Of the gloom, and DR..
Hirschfelder alighted.
NEAR UNTO DEATH
Tho word was whispered that Mrs
Mckinley. was. sinking. For a time it was
thought she was dying, but powerful ar
tihclal heart StimulantS revived her slight
~. When daylight came the doctors
held another consultation. and the news
of Mrs. McKinley's sinking spell was
given out by Secretary Cortelyou, but no
word of encouragement. With it went
formal notification that all engagements
for the remainder of the presidents stay
in San Francisco were Cancelled. The
president no longer had the heart to hold
out false hope that he would be able to
attend any of the functions arranged here
in his honor. The honors of the world
were as nothing to him now. His only
thought was for the wife who was hover
ing between life and death. He directed
that all of Mrs. McKinleys relatives be
advised of the extreme seriousness of
her condition.
In the city the bulletins of the news
paper offices announcing that the fes-
hvtties Of the week were abandoned fell
like pail upon the multitude. Not until
then was it fully realized that Mrs. Nc
Kinley was at deaths door. There was
no resentment, only feeling of deepest
sympathy for the head of the nation
watching his wife battle for her life
Joy was turned to sadness
Meantime an air of death itself pervad-
ed the Scott residence. Servants fitted
about like shadows. Messenger boys with
kilograms and cables from all parts Of the
world inquiring for news of Mrs. McKin-
ley's condition passed in endless streams
to the door which opened noiselessly at
their approach.
BY HIS WIFE'S BEDSIDE.
The president could not be persuaded
to leave the sick room and he remained
there constantly with the doctors and
nurses, seemingly incapable of fatigue.
The room in which Mrs. Mckinley lay
is sunny chamber at the southeast
corner of the residence but the flood
OF sunshine was excluded lest the bright
light might disturb the patient. Gathered
In the adjoining room were the ladies
of the cabinet. Miss Barber, Mrs Nc
Kinley's niece, had remained at the
Scott residence all night, and Mr. and
Mrs Morse, nephew and niece respect
ively of Mrs. Mckinley, were summon
ed early this morning. Below stairs the
members of the cabinet, Postmaster
General Smith, Secretary Hay, Secretary
Hitchcock and Secretary Wilson were as
sembled
From time to time Secretary Cortel.
you, who has had entire charge of every
thing throughout the entire ordeal of the
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