The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-17
HOPE ALTERNATES WITH FEAR
Only Kept Alive by Use Of Most Powerful Stinulans-
Unable to Take Solid Food-Conscious
at Intervals

the formal notification that all en-
gagements for the remainder of the
presidents stay in San Francisco were
cancelled.
Relatives ADVISED.
The president no longer had heart
to hold out false hope that he would
be able to attend any of the functions
arranged here in his honor. The hon
ors of the world were as nothing to
him now. His on4y thought was for
the wife who was lowering between
life and death. He directed that all
of Mrs. McKinley's relatives be ad-
vised of the seriousness of her condi-
ton.
In the city bulletins at the news
paper offices announcing that the fes-
tivities of the week were abandoned
fell like pail upon the multitudes.
Not until then was it fully realized
that Mrs. Mckinley was at deaths
door. There was no resentment, only
feeling of deepest sympathy for the
head of the nation watching his wife
battle for her life. Joy was turned
to sadness. People no longer waited
the presidents coming. Their voices
were hushed and they stood in groups
on the streets discussing the brief, but
pregnant tidings from the sick room.
a mockery in the presence of the dy-
ing wire of the chief executive of the
country The various committees in
charge of the numerous entertain
ments hurried about issuing bulletins
that everything had been abandoned
out of respect to the president. Mean
time an air of death itself permeated
the Scott residence Servants fitted
about like shadows. Messenger boys
with kilograms and cables from all
parts of the world inquiring for news
of Mrs. Mckinley condition passed
in endless streams to the door, which
opened noiselessly at their appear
ance. The president could not be
persuaded to leave the sick room and
he remained there constantly with the
doctors and nurses, seemingly incap.
able of fatigue.
Suffered But Little.
The room in which Mrs. Mckinley
lay is sunny chamber at the south
east corner of the residence, but the
flood Of sunshine was excluded, lest
the bright light might disturb the pa
tient Gathered in the adjoining room
were the ladies of the cabinet. Miss
Barber, Mrs. McKinleys niece, had
remained at the Scott residence all
night and Mr.. and Mrs. Morse, ne
phew anu niece, respectively, Of Mrs.
Mckinley were summoned early this
morning. Below the stairs members
of the cabinet, Postmaster General
Smith, Secretary Hitchcock and Sec
retary Wilson were assembled. From
time to time Secretary Cortelyou, who
has had entire charge of erything
throughout the entire ordeal of the
last few days and who has been pres
ent almost continually, came down to
keep them informed of developments.
Mrs. Mckinley suffered little. She
lay practically in stupor and the
doctors said there was no pain. Every
one at the residence realized that she
was in the shadow of the valley and
that it would require almost a miracle
to save her.
At II o'clock the physicians held an
other consultation. mo better" was
the statement they issued.
Privately they shook their heads.
Mrs. Mckinley had no reserve strength
to call upon. She had taken practi-
cally no nourishment for several days,
but even with everything against her
they said there was still bare chance
for her to survive.
Asks For Food.
AS the day progressed there was
noticeable improvement in Mrs. Nc
Kinley's condition and distinct reviv
al of nope in the minds Of anxious