Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-09-25
HOW THE PRESIDENT DIED
Fought as Gallant Rattle as Was
Ever Waged A gainst Death.

Ever Waged AGainst Death.
After lighting as gallant a 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 aaa did no harm.
The second bullet passed completely
through the stomach, making hole IN
the front and back walls of that organ.
Ii was this wound that resulted in death.
After rallying and apparently getting his
feet firmly planted upon the roass 70 re-
coYery, a sudden relapse came at about
| O'Clock Thursday night. The lost ground
was recovered by midnight, but az
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 2:3e Friday afternoon, when a
most optimistic bulletin was issued.
Scarcely an hour later the reaction came.
The Presidents heart had given oct.
For twelve hours it had been kept GO
ing with stryhcnine and digitalis aud 9TH
er powerful stiRulants. HeSuiration be-
came faster and fainter ygen was
resorted TO to sIpplemeI { waning
vitality. Soon hope ia y. Rush
messages were sent to ministers
aud relatives. Senator = and the
Presidents sisters, Mrs 3ean and
Mrs. Barber. were rushed tfalo on
Il special from Cleveland. Tt ms were
sent to Vice-President Roosevelt adEls-
ing him that the heavy burden of the
chief executive was about 10 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 %. The President slept for
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 I'll hope was given
up. BY this time all the members Of the
Presidents family and such II his cabinet
as were in the city had arrives at the
house. One by one they went ntC me
chamber Of death to bid farewell to the
dying man. He knew not of their cum
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 ana
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 ana
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.
The leaden moments dragged by and
heightened into hours. One. two, three
hours, midnight was passed and still the
faint flame of life Aickered on. Death
conquered, and at 2:15 o'clock Saturday
morning the end came.