Smyrna times., 1901-09-18
PRESIDENT M'NNLEY DIES
FROM ASSASSIN'S BULLET
MADE A BRAVE FIGHT AGAINST DEATH
BUT END CAME SATURDAY MORNING.
Touching Scenes at His Bedside During His
Last HOurs-Last Words We're Spoken
to His Devoted and Faithful Wife.

Last HOurs-Last Words We're Spoken
to His Devoted and Faithful Wife.
President Mckinley died at 2.15 a.
m. Saturday morning from cOmplica-
tion which set in, after the nation had
become almost fully assured that his
life would be spared from the assassin
Czolgosz's bullet, in the awful tragedy
which took place at Music Hall, Pan
American Exposition, Buffalo, N. Y,
at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon, Septem-
ber the 9Th The Presidents relapse
and death was almost as great shock
as when he was stricken and his death
has plunged the whole nation in mourn
ing. His last conscious hour on earth
was spent with the wife to whom he
devoted lifetime Of care. He died
unattended by a minister of the Gospel,
but his last words were an humble sub
mission to the will of the God in whom
he believed. He was reconciled to the
cruel fate to which an assassin's bullet
had condemned him, and faced death
in the same spirit of calmncss and poise
which has marked his long and honor
able career. His last conscious words,
reduced to writing by Dr. Mann, who
stood at his bedside when they were
uttered, were as follows:
Goodbye all, goodbye. It's Gods
way. His will be done"
His relatives and the members of his
official family were at the Milburn
house, except Secretary Wilson, who
did not avail himself of the opportu-
nifty, and some of his personal and
political friends took leave Of him.
This painful ceremony was simple
His friends came to the door of the
sick room, took a longing glance at
HIM and turned tearfully away. He
was practically unconscious during
this time. But the powerful heart
stimulants. including oxygen we're
employed to restore him to conscious
ness for his final parting with his wife.
He asked for her, and she sat at his
side and held his hand He consoled
her and bade her goodbye She went
through the heart trying scene with
the same bravery and fortitude with
which she has borne the grief of the
tragedy which ended his life.
The rage of the people of Buffalo
against the Presidents assassin when
they learned Friday night that he was
dying was bOundless. Thousands sur
rounded the Jail, and the entire police
force of the city and two regiments of
militia were utilized to insure his pro-
lection.
President Mckinley, during the last
four years, has been an attractive per-
sonal character and his display OF
statesmanlike qualities have endeared
him to Americans.
He had developed high degree Of
ability which few men gave him credit
for five years ago. Many thought then
that he was man Of but one idea
Protection. Many fancied that not he
but some power behind the throne
would be President. All gave him
credit for spotless integrity and a de-
sire to do his duty. Some doubted his
capacity and his frmness.
The doubters have been put to shame.
He and no one else was president. He
has grappled great domestic and for.
eign problems and has solved them to
the satisfaction of the people. He has
conducted himself so as to convince ev-
erybody that in all his acts he has beer
governed by patriotic sentiments alone
and has had in mind only the best in
terests of the country.
He has grown in ability as year.
have gone by. His last public utter
ances-thOse at Buffalo, few days age
were of the highest order of states
manship. He displayed in them hi,
ability to perceive changes in condi
tions and to depart to some exten
from the cherished opinions of earlie
days. His remarks in reference to oul
commercial relations with other coun
tries were sccentuated by breadth o
view which won immediate recognition
every .ere.