The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-21
GIVEN AN ENTHUSIASTIC GREETING
Thousands on Shore and Water Gather to Welcome Nations
Volunteers Add Their Cheers
from Transport Sheridan.

San Francisco, May 1i.-Presiden
Mckinley described the marked i'm
provement in Mrs. McKinley's condi
ton today Is a transformation, but
perhaps the president of the United
States may overstate the case in hi:
citation over his wife's recovery. Ger
tain it is, however, that Mrs. McKin
ley's condition last night improved tt
al extent that fairly nonplussed thu
doctors, frightened the anxious ant
devoted husband and filled the city
with joy and thanksgiving.
The sinking spell, that was feared
in the early hours before dawn, die
not come. There was a slight tenden
cy in that direction, but mat was an
The physicians were so favorably i'm
pressed with their patients condition
at the early morning consultation thai
they issued a bulletin announcing thai
Mrs. Mckinley had passed a good
night and at the same time Informed
the public that there would not be an
other consultation until evening.
This reassuring news, posted at all
the newspaper offices, was received
with delight by the people. 1t was
communicated to all members of the
cabinet and Immediately after break
fast they hurried out to the Scott
residence to express personally to
their chief the pleasure they shared
with him in the glad tidings. The JOY
in the presidents heart was reflect.
ed in his face and one look at his
c~ountenance today was enough to dis.
pei immediate apprehension. Yester.
day he looked haggard and careworn;
today his face fairly beamed. The
feeling of cheerfulness continued
throughout the entire day. AL
though other physicians left early in
the morning, DR.. Rixey did not leave
the residence and Doctors Herschfel-
der and Gibbons were always where
they could be reached at a moments
notice.
The president went out for a short
drive at noon, and Secretary Cortel-
YOU, who has been under a strain
during the last few days, was able
to take a little rest. The ladies of
the cabinet at various times during
the day were at the Scott residence
and came away sharing in the general
feeling of relief. But it must not be
assumed from all this that Mrs, Nc.
kinley has passed the crisis and is
out of danger. Mrs. Mckinley is still
dangerously i'll and it will be at least
4S hours before it will be safe to say
that the crisis has been passed.
Her vitality Is SO low and she is SO
weak that a change for the worse
would not be unexpected at any
moment, and it is feared that she
would not have reserve strength
enough to weather another sinking
spell such as she experienced yester
day morning.
Her mind was clear during her wax.
ing moments today. This morning
she asked for coffee and also to be
permitted to wash her hands. There
was no necessity for the administra
ton OF strong heart stimulants dur
ing the day, although brandy was. Civ
en- from time to lime. That and beet
tea are practically all the nourish
ment she takes.
kilograms continue to pour in from
all parts OF the country, asking fol-
news from the SICK room and today
the president received messages con
graduating him upon the reports Of
improvement in Mrs. McKinley's con
dition.
If Mrs. Mckinley continues to gair
ground, the president may attend the
launching OF the Ohio tomorrow. But
if he goes it will be a hurried trir
and he will not be absent from hi,
wife's bedside for more than an hour
He will be driven rapidly to the
wharf, where the transport Slocum
will convey him to the yard and after
the new ~battleship slides down the
ways he will return to the Scott resi-
dence. He will attend neither the
luncheon at the Union League club
nor the reception that had been ar.
ranged.
Miss Barber, niece of Mrs. McKin-
ley, in the absence Of the mistress OF
the white house will press the electric
button which will sever the cord which
holds the last stay and as the ship
begins to slide down the ways, Miss
Helen Deshler. q relative Of Cover
nor Nash, will christen the ship with
2 bottle Of champagne. It Is hard