Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-05-16
President McKinley's Wife
Hovers at Portals of
Eternity.
SEEMS SLOWLY SINKING
Nations Chief Executive
and Physicians Con-
stantly at Her Side.

the Associated Press has just learned
that Mrs. McKinley's life hangs by
thread. She is liable to expire at any
moment. At O'Clock Drs. Hirsch-
fielder and Gibbons were summoned to
the bedside of the sufferer and are in
consultation with DIR. Rixey. who had
remained with the patient all night
The.physicians did everything in their
knowledge to still keep Mrs. Mckinley
alive.
At $50 Secretary Cortelyou gave
out the following: "The doctors re-
port Mrs. McKinley's condition not
so favorable, she having had a sink
ing spell at O'Clock this morning.
The president has cane elled every en-
gagement for today" Access to the
house is for the first time denied
newspaper representatives, guards
at the door turning away everyone
except the doctors.
The president is at the bedside of
his wife without hope that she will
ever recover.
San Francisco. May 16.-At 1l:SO
the attending physicians were in con-
sultation. They believe there is a
bare chance for Mrs. Mckinley to
rally. Her lack of reserve strength.
however, makes her ability to revive
extremely doubtful.
Reported Dead.
San Francisco, May 16.-At 1l:45
Secretary Cortelyou made the follow
ing statement: Physicians have been
most of the morning with MrJ. Nc
KinIey, and report that while she had
no relapse during the morning,
her condition is grave. She is not
suffering. but very weak" -"
At noon there was a report that
Mrs. Mckinley had died, and at once
lags began to drop to half mast all
over the city. It was soon learned
the rnmor was incorrect and gradually
the flags resumed their former posi-
tiol.
San Francisco May 16.-The men,
bers OF the cabinet are very apprehen-
sive that Mrs. Mckinley Will not rally
At the Scott residence it was stated
that there was NJ immediate danger,
although i change for the worse would
not be unexpected.
San Francisco, May 16.-Owing to
the very serious character OF Mrs. Nc
KfnIey's illness. the president yester-
day morning definitely decided TO
abandon his contemplated northwest
ern tour and to return to Washington
direct rs soon as Mrs. Mckinley is
able to stand the journey. The gray-
ity of Mrs Nix iTaiAu,S- -1nnditinn has
been known to the members of the
presidents immediate party for several
days. but had been concealed, in the
belief that she would rally, as she had
so frequently in the past when suffer
ing from one of her periods OF depres-
sion and with few days OF absolute
quiet and rest be restored to normal
condition.
Does not Yield to Treatment.
But her present illness has been at
tended with entirely new complica-
tions. which have not yielded to treat
ureut. and the president concluded yes
terday morning that il was time the
public should be appraised OF the true
situation He Is also anxious that the
citizens of the cities and towns along
the planned route of his return trip
who have made such extensive prep
arations for his visit should receive
prompt notification or the clrcuIn-
stances which compelled his decision
First Lady IL Desperately Ill
Ever since Mrs. Mckinley arrived at
the Scott residence she has been des-
uerately ILL., Her extreme weakness
has been the most alarming feature or
her condition. Her vitality has been
at low ebb and she has seldom spoken
10 those about her. The president has
been continually at her bedside since
their arrival here Sunday night, save
the few hours Monday afternoon.
when he left her TO go to San Jose, and
the three hours he spent Tuesday in
the parade.
President Stays by the Bedside
Yesterday morning the president
thought he would be able to be present
at the unveiling of the Donahue statue,
and so informed the committee, but at
the last moment, when his escort had
already drawn up before the Scott resi-
dence. Mrs. McKinley'S condition was
such that he decided not to leave.
And all day, except for a brief half
hour Yesterday afternoon, when he
Welded to the entreaties of those about
him and went out for a drive, he re-
mained steadfastly at her side. The
members of the cabinet reluctantly
consented to carry out yesterdays
programme.
People Show Their Sympathy.
Mrs. AIcKinley's illness has cast a
shadow over the whole city. The peo-
Dle have shown their sympathy in a