Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-09-19
President Mckinley Dies
Expires In Buffalo From the
AssaSSin'S Wound.

at quarter past two o'clock last Sat-
urday morning at the home of Mr..
Milburn in Buffalo. New York, where
he had lain since he had been shot by
an assassin on September 9th.
As detailed in the REGISTER last
week, the President had apparently
almost entirely recovered from the
woundsinAicted by bis assailant. The
surgeons in charge had virtually pro-
nounced him out Of danger, the friends
and relations and public officials had
nearly all departed for their homes,
and the people Of the country were
full of rejoicing in the hope that the
Chief Executive would soon be entire
ly we'll. Thursday there was change
for the worse in his condition. His
heart began to act strangely, and he
had a sinking spell from which be was
revived with difficulty. Friday he
became weaker, and it was apparent
that from the failure of his heart to
properly perform its functions his life
was in great danger. A few hours
later hope was finally dispelled. Mes
sages reca Kipg members of his cabinet
and others near to him were flashed
over the wires. and Vice-President
Roosevelt, who was hunting in the
Adirondack Mountains, was sent for.
By six o'clock Friday evening it
was clear to those at the Presidents
bedside that he was dying. and prep
arations were made for the last sad
Offices of farewell from those who were
nearest and dearest to him. Oxygen
had been administered steadily, but
with little effect in keeping back the
approach of death. The President
come out of one period Of unconscious
ness only to relapse into another,
Down stairs with strained and tear
stained faces, members of the cabinet
were grouped in anxious waiting. They
knew the end Was near; that the time
had come when they must see him tor
the last time on earth. One by one
they aacended the stairway-Secreta-
ry Root, Secretary Hitchcock, Secre-
tary Wilson and Attorney-General
Knox. There was only momentary
stay of the cabinet officers at the TIRES
hold OF the death chamber. They
tarried moment as they gazed on the
dying form of their chief. then after
they left the sick room the physicians
rallied him to consciousness, and the
President asked almost Immediately
that his wife be brought to him. The
doctors fell back into the shadows of
the room as Mrs. Mckinley came
through the doorway. The strong
face of the dying man lighted up with
faint smile as their hands were
clasped. Despite her physical weak
ness, she bore up bravely under the
ordeal.
The President, in his last period of
consciousness, which ended about 7.4O,
chanted the words of the hymn, Near
er My God to Thee" and his last au.
dible conscious words. as taken down
by DR.. Mann, at the bedside we're:
Goodbye all, goodbye. 1t is
Gods way. His will be done. "
After this his mind began to wan
der, and soon afterward he completely
lost consciousness. His life was pro-
longed for hours by the administra-
ton of oxygen, and the President f.
nally expressed a desire to be allowed
to die. About $50 the administra-
ton of oxygen ceased, and the pulse
grew fainter and fainter. He was
sinking gradually, like a child falling
asleep. Mrs. Mckinley was taken
from the room and the dying Presi-
dent was left alone with his physi-
clans ard his nurses. His vitality
was wonderful. Before nine o'clock
he had begun to grow cold, and from
half after nine until the time OF his
death he had practically no pulse at
all. There was only the slightest beat
ing of the heart, his breath was just
perceptible, and the end seemed mo-
mentarily at hand. With all hope
gone, the physicians remained at his
bedside as the spark Of life fickered
lower and lower. and it was 2l5
o'clock when the last breath left his
body, and President Mckinley was
corpse.