The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-17
MAY GO TO LAUNCHING
President Will Attend If Mrs.
Mckinley Improves.


KinIey. accompanied by Henry T. Scott
and Chief Of Police Sullivan, left the
Scott residence at 1910 O'Clock for a
short drive. President McKinley's face
has lost much of the worried look it
bore yesterday and this is taken as a
certain indication that he has taken
hope from the favorable reports from
the sick room today.
It was decided to forego the review of
the school children which was to have
taken place today. President Mckinley
looked forward to this review with
pleasurable anticipation, but he was
persuaded to ask that the programme
for today be called OF. as he hardly felt
that ne could leave Mrs. Mckinley for
any length of time.
san Francisco. May 1.-THE news
from the bedside OF Mrs. Mckinley this
morning is more hopeful At s.45 am.
Secretary Cortelyou gave out the first
official bulletin of the day, announcing
that Mrs Mckinley had passed a rest
full night and appeared very much i'm
proved over her condition yesterday
and last night.
This was the first official news that
had been given out since 3 p. m. last
night, and it came as q relief not only
TO those within the Scott residence, but
also to the band of watchers that had
kept weary vigil throughout the long
hours of the night After the last bull
letin of the night had been given out
and DR.. Hirschfelder, the consulting
physician, had left for the night an
nouncing that he would not return un-
til morning, the lights were extin-
guished except in the sick room, where
a shaded lamp burned low and where
only a nurse was in attendance upon
the patient.
The night was extremely disagreeab BILE.
Fog came in from the ocean in great
clouds that settled over the hills and
soon developed into a penetrating
mist that saturated everything with
water. "a score of newspaper. report
ers and half score of police officers
walked about the house or street or
crowded in sheltered doorways, seeking
what comfort could be had under the
disagreeable conditions
Not a single light was shown in any
part of the house except q faint glow
in the sick room and in the telegraph
room, where a corps of teIegraphers and
Btenographers were kept busy until the
early hours of the morning receiving
and transmitting official kilograms over
direct wire to Washington.
With the cessation Of work in the tel
egraph room, the house was wrapped in
darkness, and not a. sound or sign of
life was visible Stiffness prevailed out
side and the ceaseless tread of the po-
hcemen pacing the beats about the res
idence was the only noise to be heard.
With the extinguishing of the lights in
the telegraph room the crowd of Gu
rious that had stood for hours in La
fayette square opposite the Scott resi-
dence, kept at a respectful distance by
the police Gordon, melted away.
With the first Indication of daylight.
the heavy fog began to dissipate and
the day broke clear and bright The
president arose at O'Clock and raised
the window blinds facing the east. al
lowing the sun to stream in. At $50
O'Clock the trained nurse was seen to
slightly raise the blinds of the sick
room in order that the patient might
get the sunlight There was not a stir
in other parts of the house. and those
waiting for news from the distinguished
patient felt relief in the situation as
everything indicated continued i'm
provement or at least no change for the
worse
The president sent word to have his
breakfast served early. presuln alolv in
order that he might devote his atten-
ton to executive business At Z O'Clock
the relief nurse arrived and took IN
her position at the bedside, and at 7.30
Henry T. Scott, who had passed the
night at neighboring residence, called
TO learn Mrs. McKinley's condition He
remained only a few moments and came
out looking cheerful and relieved
In response to a query as to the pa
uents condition, he said.
feel greatly gratihed and relieved
at Mrs McKinley's condition this morn
ing She has passed a restful night
and this morning called for a cup of
coHee When It was served she re-
marked to the president and the nurse