Evening star., 1901-09-13
THE: CITY IN GLOOM
Public Shock Caused by the Early
Reports From Buffalo
NEWS RECEIVED At THE WHITE HOUSE
Secretaries Hay and Gage Will
Remain Here.
GENERAL SMITH TO RETURN

The untoward news from the Presidents
bedside came upon Washington with almost
as great a shock as was caused by the
first report of the murderous attack upon
him. The news of the last few days had
been so encouraging in tone that people
had come to look upon the Presidents con-
dition as so favorable as to warrant them
In dismissing further anxiety on MS ac-
count from their minds. There were Few
who, after scanning the official bulletins
supplemented by talks with physicians,
were still doubtful to the outcome and
feared that there was a feeling OF conn-
dence not warranted by the history of such
cases as the Presidents. But on the whole,
the general belief has been that the Presi-
dent had completely passed the crisis ana
that his recovery was assured, being only
a matter of few weeks.
Therefore, when at an early hour this
morning messengers pulled bells ana
pounded upon the doors of the few promi-
nent officials in Washington, and news
boys raced through the streets with post
scripts and extras of The Star and other
daily papers setting out the bad news there
was a feeling almost akin to CONSERVATION
among the people. The crowds of people
going to their daily occupations showed sad
faces and many were the eager inquiries
for the very latest news from Buffalo.
When the 8 o'clock bulletin was read In
the early extra papers and on the bulletin
boards there was general feeling of add
ed depression, and there was much talk
about the evil omen of high pulse and a
decreasing temperature.
Secretary C0rtelyOu's Announcement.
The following telegram was received from
Secretary Cortelyou by Colonel Montgom-
cry, in charge of the telegraph Office at the
White House:
''The President is critically Ill. Notify
the cabinet. The Presidents condition has
grown worse during the night, and he is ex-
tremely weak"
A telegram was received later from Secre-
tary Cortelyou asking that DR.. w. w.
Johnston of this city be sent as early as
possible to Buffalo DR.. Johnston was
called in consultation when Mrs. Mckinley
returned from San Francisco.
Dr. Johnston's speciality Is heart trouble.
He is not in the city. The request for MIN
came from DR.. Rixey.
The News at the White House.
The first official news of the Presidents
sinking spell reached the White House at
3:17 o'clock this morning, although the
White House attaches had previously re-
ceived word from press sources. Efforts
instantly were made to reach the members
of the cabinet in the city. messenger
was hastily dispatched to Secretary Hay.
who lives just across Lafayette Square,
and a second message conveyed later ad-
vices as to the Presidents condition. Mean
time Secretary Gage and Controller Dawes
H. 1aI he $a1a o,,l Y1a
latter responded within a few minutes. At
5:39 o'clock Secretary Gage, accompanied
by Assistant Secretary Allies. appeared.
The former plainly showed his anxiety and
Immediately retired into the Presidents
room to receive the reports that had come
In from the Milburn house. When he left
with Mr.. Allies hour later his voice was
broken as he explained that he felt his
duty was to remain in Washington. Mr..
Dawes remained until after o'clock, when
he returned home, and later took the 7:5O
O. o'clock day express for Buffalo.
Assistant Secretary Allies left the White
House shortly after o'clock this morning
to go to the residence Of Attorney General
Knox and convey to him the news Of the
Presidents relapse. But Mr.. Allies found
that Mr.. Knox left last night for Pittsburg
A dispatch was sent him. from the White
House, directed to him on the train, and
giving the latest bulletin and information
from Buffalo.
Secretary Hay Decides to Remain.
Secretary Hay arrived at the White
House at o'clock. He read the press dis
patches and private kilograms received up
to- that hour. He had decided not to go to
Buffalo. but to remain on guard at the
tn
emergency that might arise. This decision
was in line with an understanding reached
between the cabinet members in Buffalo
when it was determined that the Secretary
of State should await a summons from his
colleagues before returning to Buffalo.
Therefore the Secretary went to his office
early, and after putting himself In commu-
nication with the White House, and thence
with the Milburn house at Buffalo. sat
anxiously scanning the bulletins that came
in and awaiting any call that might be
made upon him. He looked worn and nerv-
Gus and anxious to the last degree but
with all he maintained his usual calm de-
meanor, and proceeded with the discharge Of
his routine duties, among the first Of which
was the reception Of the Chinese minister,
who called in great agitation to express his
deep concern and sympathy.
Surprise of the POstmaster General.
Postmaster General Smith called at the
White House shortly after 10 o'clock He
had arrived at 0 direct from Buffalo, hav-
ing left that city at $50 o'clock last night.
At the time of his departure from Buffalo
there was not the least intimation that
there were any unfavorable symptoms in
the Presidents condition. He had not been
at the Milburn house for about two hours
COFFEE DISEASES.