The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-17

San Francisco May 16.-Mrs. Nc
Kinley is in the valley of the shadow
of death and may pass away at any
moment This morning, shortly be-
fore dawn, she sank rapidly and 1t
was feared she would die before re-
storatives could be administered. But
she responded to the powerful heart
stimulants which were given to her
and during the day improved to such
an extent that hope Of her recovery,
slight though it was, revived. But
her life hangs by a thread She has
taken no solid food since she reached
here last Sunday and the physicians
do not believe she can survive an
other sinking spell, such as she ex
perienced this morning. She suffers
little and bears up bravely.
The new treatment for low vitality,
salt injections into the veins, was ad-
ministered to Mrs. Mckinley and she
responded to .ne treatment.
| During her periods OF consciousness
today ner mind has been clear. The
president is constantly at her bedside
and although worn by his long vigil
is standing the awful strain with re-
markable fortitude.
Every banquet and public function
abandoned and the city with heavy
heart is watching Mrs. Mckinley S
battle for life. If the end should
come the president and his party will
be ready TO start back with the re-
mains within "a hours. The train
| that brought them here will be used
on the return trip and all arrange
ments nave been made to get back
by the shortest route, the Central and
Union Pacific to Chicago and thence
via The Pennsylvania to Washington
If Mrs. Mckinley improves it is not
believed she will be able to travel be.
fore week from the coming Mon.
day.
All members of the cabinet, with the
possible exception of Secretary Long
will remain here to the end. The lat
ter's daughter is very ill at Colorado
Springs and he is apprehensive that
he may be called there at any time
Was Some Better.
During the long, weary wathces of
the night the president did not leave
Mrs. McKinley's bedside. Shortly be.
fore midnight, when Drs. Hirschfelder
and Gibbons departed and Dr. Rixey
laid down for a little rest, there was
hope that her life would be spared.
All day the president had watched
the doctors faces and the demeanor
of the nurses for sign of encourage
ment, and they had urged him not
to despair.
Mrs. Mckinley had appreciably raj
lied during the early hours of the
night and at 10 O'clock was so much
better that the president had gone in
next door to show himself for a few
minutes at little reception which
was being held there. After midnight
for hours there was no sign of life in
the Scott mansion, except night lamp
burning low in Mrs. Mcklnley's room.
Fog had descended with the coming
of the sea wind and the city lay
swathed in it as in shroud. At 5
o'clock this morning policemen were
patrolling on tiptoe outside, and the
little group of newspaper watchers
on the corner opposite saw stir in
the house. Lights nickered here and
there, carriage with rubber tires
rolled swiftly up to the door out
of the gloom and DR.. Hirschfelder
alighted. Word was whispered that
Mrs. Mckinley was sinking. For a
time it was thought she was dying.
ibut artificial heart stimulation revived
her slightly.
When daylight came the doctors
held another consultation and news OF
Mrs. McKinley's sinking spell was Civ
len out by Secretary Cortelyou. but nc
ul1Rond ~ ancouraga gamept- With Il ven