Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-09-21
HOW THE PRESIDENT DIED.
Fought as Gallant a Battle as Wac
Ever Waged Against Death.

After fighting as gallant battle as
was ever waged against death, President
William Mckinley was compelled to sur
render He was shot down by Leon
Czolgosz, a Polish lad from Cleveland.
One bullet lodged in the muscles OF the
chest, against the bone and did no harm
The second bullet passed completely
through the stomach, making a hole IN
the front and back walls Of that organ.
1t was this wound that resulted in death.
After rallying and apparently getting ms
feet firmly planted upon the road to re-
covery, a sudden relapse came at about
O'Clock Thursday night. The lost ground
was recovered by midnight, but at Z
o'clock a second sinking spell came. Again
the Presidents splendid constitution aid
ed the men of science, and another rally
was effected. There was little change
then until 2:3O Friday afternoon, when
most optimistic bulletin was issued.
Scarcely an hour later the reaction came.
The Presidents heart had given out.
For twelve hours it had been kept go
ing with stryhcnine and digitalls and oth-
err powerful stimulants. Respiration be
came faster and fainter, and oxygen was
resorted to to supplement the fast waning
vitality. Soon hope faded away. RUSH
messages were sent to cabinet ministers
and relatives. Senator Hanna and the
Presidents sisters, Mrs. Duncan ana
Mrs. Barber, were rushed to Buffalo on
a special from Cleveland. kilograms were
sent to Vice-President Roosevelt adVlS-
ing him that the heavy burden OF the
chief executive was about to be placed
upon his shoulders. Roosevelt was locat-
ed far up in the Adirondack mountains.
He drove to the nearest railway station
and telegraphed that he would start for
Buffalo early Saturday morning.
Steadily the President passed into the
dark valley Artificial respiration was re-
sorted to- The President slept for a
time in the afternoon, but early IN the
evening the sleep became a stupor. In
vain the doctors tried to break that dead
ly lethargy. Finally all hope was given
up. BY this time all the members of the
Presidents family and such of his cabinet
as were in the city had arrived at the
house One by one they went into the
chamber of death to bid farewell to the
dying man. He knew not of their com
ing nor of their going.
Suddenly and entirely unexpectedly the
President reused from his unconscious
ness, and Mrs. Mckinley was led into
the room. All others, save the nurse and
one doctor, withdrew. The President had
been told that death was inevitable.
Scarcely less pale than her beloved one,
the frail woman bent over his couch and
kissed his forehead. This was shortly
after 10 o'clock Friday night. 1T IS
Gods will, not ours; His will be done. 1t
is all for the best" he said feebly. The
last farewell was spoken and the weeping
wife was half carried from the room, on
the verge of utter collapse. When she
had gone President Mckinley began to
sink into the stupor again, but before he
lost consciousness he said to the attend
ants: Tell them to let me die. DO not
try to postpone the end" He was weary
of the fight which he knew was unavail-
ing. From this time until the end came
the physicians tried only to ease the last
moments.
The leaden moments dragged by and
| heightened into hours. One, two, three
| hours, midnight was passed and still the
| faint fame of life fickered on. Death
| conquered, and at 2:15 o'clock Saturday
| morning the end came.
| Mr.. Mckinley went to the Buffalo ex-
| position for the purpose of mingling with
| the people, talking to them and shaking
| their hands. While thus engaged he was
| shot down by a self-confessed anarchist
a miserable creature whose mind had
| been inflamed by the ranting of an ire
| sponsibe woman. He aimed his bullet
as he thought, at the government, rather
| than at Mckinley, the man. He destroy
| ed the man and drew the tears of n ma
| ton, but the government still lives.
The manner of Mr.. McKinley's taking
| off has filled the country with horror and
| grief-horror because of the monstrous
| crime against our government and grief
because a good man and clean public SER
want had met with fatal violence. The
| murder has been done. We must turn
| from the bier of HON who sleeps and re-
| solve that we will rid this land of every
root and branch of anarchistic leaning.