The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-18
McKlNLEY's SAD VIGIL.
he Watches by His wife's Bedside During the
Night.
(By the Associated Press.)

San Francisco, Cal, May 16.-During
the long weary watches of the night, the
President did not leave Mrs. Mckinley S
bedside. Shortly after midnight when
Drs. Hirschfelder and Gibbons departed,
and DR.. Rixey lay down for little rest,
there was hope that her life would be
spared. All day the President has
watched the doctors faces and scanned
the demeanor of the nurses for sign of
encouragement, and they have urged him
not to despair. Mrs. Mckinley had APP
preciably 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 for few minutes to attend
a little reception 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. McKin-
ley's room.
At o'clock this morning the police
patrolling outside, and the little group
of newspaper watchers on the corner OPP
posite. saw a stir in the house Lights
flickered and a carriage with rubber tires
rolled swiftly uD to the door and DR..
Hirschfelder alighted. The word was
whispered that Mrs. Mckinley was sink
ing For a time it was thought she was
dying, but powerful artificial heart slim
ulants revived her slightly. When day
light came the doctors held another con-
sultation and the news of Mrs. McKin-
ley's sinking spell was given out by
Secretary Cortelyou. 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. He directed that all Mrs. Nc
Kinley's relatives be advised of the eX-
tremely critical condition of her illness
and steeled himself for the worst In
the city the bulletins at the newspaper
offices announcing that the festivities OF
the week were abandoned, fell like pail
upon the multitude. The various COM
mittees in charge of the numerous en-
tertainments hurriedly issued bulletins
that everything had been abandoned, out
of respect to the President.
Meantime an air of death itself per-
vaded the Scott residence. Servants
fitted about like shadows. Messenger
parts of the world, inquiring for news of
Mrs. McKinley's condition, passed in end
less streams to the door, which opened
noiselessly at their approach. Gathered
in the adjoining room were the ladies OF
the Cabinet, Miss Barber, Mrs. McKin-
ley's niece. had remained at the Scott
residence all night, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Morse, nephew and niece of Mrs. Mckin-
ley, were summoned early this morning.
Below stairs the members of the Cabinet,
Postmaster General Smith, Secretary
Hay, Secretary Hitchcock and Secretary
Wilson were waiting.
From time to time Secretary Cortelyou
came down to keep them informed of the
developments Mrs. Mckinley suffered
little. She lay practically in a stupor
and the doctors said there was no pain.
Everyone at the residence realized that
che was in the shadow of death, and that
it would require almost a miracle to
save her.
At II o'clock the physicians had another
consultation. "No better" was the state
ment they issued. Mrs. Mckinley had
no reserve strength to call upon. She had
taken practically no nourishment for sew
eral days, out even Will every IHluS
against her, they said there was still a
bare chance for her to survive.
AS the day progressed there was a
noticeable improvement in Mrs. McKin-
ley's condition and a distinct revival OF
hope in the minds of the anxious watch
ers at her bedside. Her mind cleared
and she asked the President about the
ladies of the Cabinet, and how they were
ENJOYING themselves. She expressed a
desire that her Illness should not be al
lowed to interfere with their pleasure.
Miss Hitchcock and Miss Wilson, who
were in the next room at the time
were summoned and she greeted them
with a faint smile. During the prog
ress of luncheon which Postmaste,
General Smith and Secretary Hitch
cock took with the President, Miss Bar
Der came down stairs and told the
small company that Mrs Mckinley
had Just asked for chickens and coffee
saying she was tired of the liquid
nourishment that the doctors We're Civ
/ ing her. The doctors, of course, were
compelled to refuse Mrs. Mckinley
solid food. For two days they have
| been able to give her only. beef tea an6
brandy together with other stimulants
Tor her enfeebled heart action. Mir,
gVcersne aud the mostApowerful slim