Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-09-27
HOW THE PRESIDENT DIED
Fought a. Gallant a Battle as Was
Ever WaSed Against Death.

Ever wagon against Oe0tns
After fighting as gallant a battle as
wa ever waged against death, President
William Mckinley was compelled to sur
render. He was shot down by Leon
Czolgosz, u 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 his
feet firmly planted upon the road to re-
covery, n sudden relapse came at about Z
o'clock Thursday night. The lost ground
was recovered by midnight, but at =
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 Il
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 d~igitalis and 9th.
err powerful stimulants. Respiration be.
came faster and fainter. and oxygen was
rcsorted to to supplement the fast waning
vitality. Soon hope faded away Rush
messages We're sent to cabinet ministers
and relatives. Senator Hanna and the
Presidents sisters. Mrs. Duncan and
Mrs. Barber. were rushed to Buffalo on
IL special from Cleveland. kilograms were
sent to president Roosevelt advis-
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 ut the
house. One by one they went into the
chamber of death to bid farewell to the
dying man.
Suddenly and entirely unexpectedly the
President reused from his unconscious
uGSSs uA0 AAo NAC4AAAiGy NAS SS0 ~
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. ut is
Gods will, not ours; His will be done. 1t
is all for the best" he said fcebly. 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 TIC
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"
Il The leaden moments dragged by and
heightened into hours. One, two, three
hours, midnight was passed and still the
faint flame of life fickercd on. Deatl
conquered, and at 2:15. o'clock Saturday
morning the end came.
GANGRENE CAUSES DEATH.