Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-09-19
Story OF His Last Hours OF Life
Mrs. Mckinley Not Present
at the End

President Mckinley died at 2 :l5a. M.
Saturday. He had been unconscious
since 100 p. IN. His last conscious hour
on earth was spent with his wife, TO
whom he devoted lifetime of care. He
died unattended by a minister of the Cos.
pei, but his last words were a humble sub
mission to the will OF the God in whom lie
believed. lie was recUnciled to the cruel
fate TO which an assassih's bullet had
condemned him and faced death in the
same spirit Of calmness which has
marked his long and honorable career.
His last conscious words, reduced to
writing by DR.. Mann, who stood at his
bedside when they were uttered, we're
"Good-by, all; good by. 1t is Gods
way. His will be done"
His relatives and the members OF his
official family were at the Milburn house,
except Secretary Wilson, who did not
avail himself OF the opportunity, and
some Of his personal and political friends
took leave Of him. This painful cere-
mony was simple. His friends came TO
the door OF the eick room, took longing
glance at him and turned teariully away. .
He was practically unconscious during
this time. But the powerful heart slim.
ulants, including oxygen, were employed
TO restore him TO consciousness for the
final parting with his wife. lie asked
for her and she sat at his side and held
his hand. He consoled her and bade her
good By. She went through the heart
rending scene with the same bravery
and fortitude with which she has borne
the grief Of the tragedy which ended his
life
From authoritative officials the iolloy.
ing details Of the final scenes in and
about the death chamber were secured +.
The President had continued in an un.
conscious state since 1880 p. IN. DR..
Rixey remained with him at all times
and until death came The other doc
tors we're in the room at times, and then
repaired TO the front room, where their
consultation had been held. About 2
O'Clock DIR. Rixey noted the unmistaka
BILE signs OF dissolution, aud the imme
date members OF the family were sum.
moned TO the bedside. Mrs. Mckinley
was asleep aEd 1t was desirable not to
awaken her for the last moments Of an.
guish.
Silently and sadly the members Of the
family stole into the room. They stood
about the foot and sides Of the bed where
the great mans life was ebbing away.
Those in the circle were:
Abner Mckinley, the Presidents
brother; Mrs. Abner Mckinley; Miss
He'en, the Presidents sister; Mrs Sarah
Duncan and sister; Miss Mary Barber. q
niece; Miss Sarah Duncan Lieutenant
J. +. Mckinley, nephew; Charles
Dawes, the Controller Of the Currency I;
Z. NJ. Osborne, a cousin; Colonel Webb
@. Hayes; John A. Barber, a nephew ;
Secretary George b Cortelyou; Colonel
W. G. Brown, the business partner Of
Abner Mckinley; DIR =. NJ. Rixey, the
family physician, and six nurses and at.
tendants.
In an adjoining room sat the physl-
clans, including Dfs. McBurney, Wasdin,
Psrke. Stockton and Mynter.
/, was now :05 O'Clock, and the min
utes we're slipping away. Only the sobs
OF those in the circle about the Presi
dents bedside broke the awe like silence.
Five minutes passed, then six, seven.
eight-now DR.. RiIey bent forward, and
then one Of his hands was rsised az II in
warning. The Huttering heart was Just
going 10 rest. A moment more and Dr.
RIxey Strengthened up and, with a chok.
lng voice, raid.
THE President is dead"
Secretary Cortelyou WAS the fret 10
turn from the stricken circle. lie step.
ped from the chamber to the outer hall
and then down the stairway 10 the large
room where the members Of the Cabinet,
senators and distinguished officials we're
assembled.
Az bis tense white face appeared at
the doorway hush fell upon the Assem-.
blage
Gentlemen, the President has passed
away" he aid.
Por moment not word came in re.
ply. Even though the end had besu ex.
pected, the actual announcement that