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


cleared and she asked the president
about the ladies of the cabinet and
how they were enjoying themselves.
She expressed desire that her illness
should not be allowed to interfere with
their pleasure.
Miss Hitchcock and Miss Wilson,
who were in the next room at the
time, were summoned and she greet
ed them with faint smile. During
the period of luncheon, Miss Barber
came down stairs and told the small
company that Mrs. Mckinley had just
asked for chicken and coffee, saying
she was tired of the liquid nourish-
ment which the doctors were giving
her. This evidence of her reviving
strength was considered extremely
gratifying and for time the little
company was almost exultant. Per-
haps, however, the hope that they felt
was disproportionate to the slight i'm
provement it was based on.
The doctors, of course, were COM
PEELED to refuse Mrs. Mckinley solid
food. For two days they nave been
able only to give her beef tea and
brandy, together with other stimu-
lants for her enfeebled heart action.
Nitro glycerine anu the most powerful
stimulants known % me medical pro-
tession have been resorted to.
At about half past O'Clock the
president desired to go out for a walk
and accompanied by the postmaster
general and secretary of the interior
he strolled through neighboring
streets, returning the respectful salu-
tations which were met with from
those who recognized him. Once or
twice he stopped to shake hands with
those who stepped up and requested
that privilege. Upon his return to
the house he cheerily told the group
OF newspaper men assembled there
that Mrs. Mckinley was holding her
own. During the afternoon the presi-
dent expressed the opinion that the
public was entitled to specific infor.
nation regarding the nature of Mrs.
Mchinley's illness and the treatment
she was receiving. Up to that time
the bulletins issued at intervals since
yesterday had been OF the briefest
and most vague character and the
public was largely in the dark as to
the character of the trouble which
had brought her to deaths door. 1t
| was the presidents distinct request
that signed statement issued by the
nhVSini9nC ha criu to
the press.
The ladies OF the cabinet also took
advantage Of the slight Improvement
in Mrs. Mckinley's condition to go
for short drive during the after
noon. All day long Lafayette park,
opposite the Scott residence, was
filled with crowds of people, not drawn
thither SO much through curiosity as
by an eager desire for news from the
| sick room. Their profound sorrow
| was apparent from the silent, respect
| full way in which they obeyed the il.
functions of the police to keep back
beyond the coping of the road which
runs through the center of the park
Although fully $50 yards from the
house, many of them spoke in whis-
pers. Late in the afternoon a little
girl with an armfull of flowers braved
the bluecoats and ascended the steps
| The butler Openeu the door. 81
brought these for Mrs Mckinley, ;,
she lisped. I'VE are so sorry. | hope
she will be better soon.' Then she
handed over the flowers and slipped
away.
Decidedly Improved.
AT 10 o'clock tonight all was quiet
! arnnn6 tho Scott h0r
people were assembled in LAFAYETTE
square awaiting developments. There
was a feeling Of relief when Secre-
tary Cortelyoh summoned the report
i ers and gave to them a bulletin an
nouncing that the physicians report
ed Mrs. McKinley's condition decided
ly improved and that the patient was
resting we'll at that hour. A large de-
tail OF police was on duty keeping
pedestrians from approaching near
| the house.
Direct telegraphic connection with
Washington has been established. In
side the Scott home two telegraph
operators are being kept busy in
answering the presidents correspon-
dence. OUTSIDE in the park tele-
phone booth is being erected to facili-
tate communication between the diff
ferent newspapers and their report
ers stationed outside.
No statement by physicians has
been given out as expected.
Doctors Go Home.
San Francisco, May 1910 p. M
Drs. Hirschfelder and H. T. Scott
have just left the Scott residence.
DR.. Hirschfelder has gone home for
the night. He said that he felt that
Mrs. Mckinley was improving. Scott
said that he felt much pleased over
her condition. Secretary Cortelyou
announced that no further bulletins
would be given out tonight unless un-
expected developments occur.
illness Began in Texas.
Mrs. McKinley's present attack Of
illness began shortly after she lett
Ell Paso. She had stood the trip re-