The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-09-12
MRS. M,K1NLEY HEARS THE NEWS
She Is Considerably Affected and
Asks That Her Husband Be Brought


to Her.
Buffalo, Sept. S.-Immediately the pres
ident was cared for at the exposition
grounds Director General w. /. Buchanan
started for the Milburn residence to fore
stall any information that might reach
there by telephone or otherwise. Very
luckily he was first to arrive with the in
formation. The Niagara Falls trip had
tired Mrs. Mckinley, and on returning
to the Milburn residence she took leave
OF her nieces, the Misses Barber. and the
presidents niece, Miss Duncan. as well
as their hostess. Mrs. Milburn. and went
to her room to rest. Mr.. Buchanan
broke the news as gently as possible to
the nieces and consulted with them and
Mrs. Milburn as to the best course to
pursue in breaking the news to Mrs Nc
l<inley. 1t was finally decided that on
her awakening or shortly thereafter, Mr..
Buchanan should break the news to her.
If. in the meantime her physician. DR..
Rixey. had not arrived.
Mrs. Mckinley awoke from her sleep at
about $50 O'Clock. She was feeling
splendidly, she said. and at once took UP
her crocheting. which. as is we'll known.
is one of her favorite diversions.
Immediately on Mr.. Bucharans arrival
at the Miburn home he had telephone
communication cut of, as already there
had been several calls, and he decided on
this as the wisest course to pursue. lest
Mrs. Mckinley, hearing the continued
ringing of the telephone bell might In
quire what it meant.
While the light of day remained Mrs.
Mckinley continued with her crocheting.
keeping to her room. When 1t became
dusk and the president had not arrived.
she began to feel anxious concerning
him.
II wonder why he does not conner" she
asked one of her nieces.
There was no clock in Mrs. Mckinley's
room. and when it was O'Clock she had
no idea 1t was 80 late, and this was when
she began to feel anxious concerning her
husband. for he was due to return TO
Mr.. Milburn's house about 9 o'clock.
At O'Clock DR.. Rixey arrived at the
Milburn residence. He had driven hur-
riedly down Delaware avenue in an open
carriage. AS he came up Mr.. Buchanan
was out on the lawn conversing with
reporter.
do you know" said Mr.. Buchanan. II
had sort of premonition of this? Since
early morning had been extremely ner-
vous and feared that something might
go wrong. Our trip to the falls was UNI
eventful. but what an awful sad ending
to our day"
At 7:20 o'clock Dr. Rixey came out OF
the house, accompanied by Col Webb
Hayes son of Former President Hayes.
who Is a friend Of President Mckinley.
They entered carriage and returned to
the exposition hospital.
After DR.. Rixey had gone Director Gen.
eral Buchanan said that the doctor had
broken the news In most gentle manner
to Mrs. Mckinley. He said she stood 1t
bravely, though considerably affected
If it was possible to bring him to her
she wanted 1t done. DR.. Rixey assured
her that the president could be brought
with safety from the exposition grounds
and when he left Mr.. Milburn's 1t was to
complete all arrangements for the re-
moval of the president.
A big force OF regular patrolmen was
assigned to the Milburn residence.
AT 1880 Secretary of Agriculture Wilson
and Miss Wilson called and were ad-
mitted to the Milburn residence.
Mrs. Mckinley was allowed to see the
president late tonight She was ad-
mitted to his bedchamber, was recog-
nized by him and kissed him. The pres
ident said to her. Good night. my dear"
and Mrs. Mckinley went softly from the
ROOM