Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-09-20
THE PRESIDENT DEAD.


The entire country was startled on Friday
last by the news that serious and sudden
change had occurred in the condition OF
President Mckinley, Notwithstanding the
very favorable reports issued by the attend
ing physicians up to Thursday evening.
The reports had been 80 favorable that a
large number Of the cabinet ministers, the
Vice President and several OF the physicians
had left his bedside at Buffalo and gone
elsewhere, believing the President out of
danger.
AS soon as the sudden change occurred
the physicians were hastily recalled and for
many hours every effort was made to save
the life of the illustrious patient.
Friday afternoon before o'clock IL was
clear to those at the Presidents bedside that
he was dying and preparations 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 came
out of one period OF Inconsistencies only to
relapse into another.
But in this period, when his mind was
partially clear, occurred series of events
of profoundly touching character. Down
stairs, with strained and tear stained faces
members OF the cabinet were grouped in
anxious waiting. They knew the end was
near and that the time had come when they
must see him for the last time on earth.
This was about 9 O'Clock
One by one they assembled the stairway
Secretary Root, Secretary Hitchcock and
Attorney. General Knox. Secretary Wilson
also was there, but he held hack, not wish
ing TO see the President In his last agony
There was only monetary stay of the
cabinet officers at the threshold OF the death
chamber.
After they left the sick room the physi-
clans 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. She sat beside him and held his
hand. Despite her physical weakness she
bore up bravely under the ordeal.
The President in his last period of con-
seriousness, which ended about TAO o'clock,
chsnted the words oil the hymn, Nearer,
My God, to Thee" and his last audible con
scious words, as taken down by Dr. Mann
at the bedside, were:
"Good bye, all good bye. 1t lie Gods way.
His will be done"
Then his mind began to wander and soon
afterward be completely lost consciousness
His life was prolonged for hours by the ad.
ministration of oxygen, and the President
finally expressed desire to be allowed to
die. About $50 the administration of oxy
gen ceased and the pulse grew fainter and
fainter. He was sinking gradually like a
child into the eternal slumber.
By 10 O'Clock the pulse could no longer
be ielt in his extremities and they grew cold
Below stairs the grief. stricken gathering
waited sadly for the end.
The tragedy eliminated on Saturday
morning at 215 O'Clock, when the President
peacefully passed away in the presence OF
his wife, his brother and sister, near rela.
tives, members of the Cabinet and friends.
The report of the autopsy upon the body
of the President says the bullet which struck
over the breast bone did no harm. The
other bullet alter passing through the stom.
ach passed into the back walls of the aldo
men, hitting and tearing the upper end of
the kidney. This portion OF the bullet track
was gangrenous, ard this was the cause OF
death. The bullet was not found
After the autopsy the body was prepared
for burial and placed in the paror OF the
Mlburn residence where they remained
until Sunday morning, after which they
were removed to the City Hall and visited
by thousands OF people.
On Monday morning the funeral train
left Buffalo Tor Washington, and at every
prominent point on the route thousands
were assembled 10 do homage to the dead
President.
Upon the arrival Of the train at Washing,
ton Monday night 1t was met at the Penn.
sYlvania depot bya large concourse OF PEG
pie. The body was escorted to the White
House by q detachment OF police, fouI
troops of cavalry. a committee OF the Grand
Army and long line OF carriages contain.
ing Mrs. Mckinley, other relatives and
friends. President Roosevelt, Cabinet mem.
bers and others.
On Tuesday St A, M. a procession start.
ed from the White House, escorting the
body 10 the Capitol, where religious services
were held. Afterward the body laid in
state 10 the rotunda Of the Capitol until Q p.
M, when it was escorted to the funeral tram
which bore II TO Canton, Ohio. The train
arrived at its destination on Wednesday and
burial services were held on Thursday with
interment 10 Canton Cemetery