The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-12

MRS. M,KINLEYs SPIRIT.
Marvellous Courage Displayed During
the Trying Ordeal.


there are two patients under that same
NIilburn house roof. Mrs Mckinley is
watched almost as carefully by hel
physician. DR.. Rixey as is the president
himself The reports regarding her con-
dition are of the most reassuring char
acter The way she has borne herself
through this ordeal is the marvel Of all
who have been about her. of course
the happy turn which affairs began ia
take in her husbands case SO soon af-
ter he was stricken down has been the
great prop on which she has leaned.
She like all the rest. has passed now
from the stage Of hopefulness to that
of confidence. She fully believes her
husband is going to get well, and the
fact has had a marked effect upon her
health
She sleeps well. and at the house to-
day il was said that her appetite was
surprisingly good. Her favOrite niece,
Miss Mary Barber. is ner constant COM
panion, except when she goes for her
daily drive, and then il is her cousin,
Mrs. McWilhams, OF Chicago. who ac-
companies her. In the house she re-
mains nearly all the time in her room,
where Miss Barber reads to her a good
deal and that poses her greatly
Col. Wilbur c. Brown came down
town today and got supply of books
for her and Immediately after she got
back from her drive Miss Barber read
to her from one of them. Twice a day
regularly she goes to see her husband
III the forenoon ana Ia the dIIeInOOI-
After the first greetings what they
say to each other is, of course not
heard. As soon as she takes her seat
by his side all those who are in the
room withdraw and leave husband
and wife alone together. with only the
door little ajar in case the president
should require sudden assistance AS a
matter of fact they do not talk very
much.
Mrs Mckinley knows that the doc
tors do not want her husband to talk
more than is necessary. and he knows
il, too. They often remain several mo
ments with their hands clasped, and
evidently comforted and happy to be
merely thus together, even though the
ban IS out against their talking very
much.
Among those who constantly are at
the house from early morning until
late ait night Is Col Wilbur @. Brown.
boVe mentioned.
1T is unspeakably touching, he said,
''to see the poor, gentle woman, who is
so weak herself try to nerve herself
for meeting her husband without
breaking down She has been told that
his very life may depend upon her
bravery because his constant and
greatest anxiety is for her. have seen
her. just before the door to the 81 K
room was opened, stand gathering ali
her energy and force of self-command
together with an effort that was fairly
pitiful TO behold. Once as the door was
about to be opened, shiver seemed to
shaken by sObs she could scarce con-
troll that it seemed as though she We're
going to break completely down
She clenched her teeth. however, and
with her handkerchief pressed to her
lips, which were quite white with emo
ton, she said out loud but to hersef:
oh. / mustn't. ] mustn't They tell me
I mustn't, and L WON'T 1 WON'T and
she did not the brave little woman
She got herself all together again and
when she went into the room she was
outwardly nothing but calmness and
QuietneSs itself
1t is Impossible for those who do not
know the marvellous tenderness there is
between this husband and wife to un-
derstand what the suffering of each is
to the other The one thing that preys
upon the presidents mind is his ankle
ty for the effect upon Mrs Mckinley
of the ordeal which he is going through
And what it is to her TO be separated
from him is more than can be appreci-
ated except by those who know how
constantly she has leaned upon him
for years.
TOUCHING DEVOTION.
1t is as though the very foundations
Of everything were pulled away when
he is away from her never knew
anything like such q touching devotion
as there is between these two I think I
nobody ever did.
There is one thing I wish to say
about Mrs. McKinley's physical condi /
any narcotic drugs whatever She is /
bearing UP under all this by sheer /
strength of her viii. and by her own /
physical strength. That is what SO /
much encourages those who are about /
ler and it adds to the surprise that /
hough, comes from just one thing and 1
hat is her devotion to her husband and 4
he knowledge that so much depends I
lpon her and her resolution. This feel
s1.s1
IS very depths Of that love for her
husband which absorbs her whole being
Gems to have aroused in her a force /
which Ks simply a marvel to those who
-now how physically frail she is.
And there Is another thing ] would like !
o say by way OF correction The condition |
f the president has not been concealed
rom Mrs Mckinley. 1t was not concealed
rom her al the start DR.. RiXev broke the
eWs to her. has been stated.
THE details are in this way: Mrs Nc
1inleN first expressed surprise that the
resident was so late in coming from the
xposition grounds. When it became dusk
nd he still did not come she became de-
nd She said to him. Where is Mr. Nc
4mley2 Why does he not Gomez
.-I have some bad news for you, Mrs
IcKinleyr' said the doctor.
'sWhat is it, What is it2'' she cried
is there ANYTHING wrong with him. has
g been hurt2
Yes Mrs Mckinley the doctor said.
he has been hurt; he has been shot
She staggered slightly. but instantly re-
) him at once. Where i ne? Il must 90
No the doctor said. we are going to
ring him to YOU. and everything depends
pom you. Mrs. Mckinley. Maybe his life
apends upon YOU. We look to YOU to help
s: il is your bravery that Will do every
linE~
Now" continued Col. Brown. that is
Ist exactly WhaA occurred. and it is due
Mrs Mckinley TO say it. for too much /
edit can not be given TO her for the
llendid way in which she then and there
lse up TO meet the ordeal. and for the
s he shown I
me right TO the present moment.