Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-16

SAN FRANCISCO, May flowing
to the very serious character of Mrs.
McKinley's illness, the President this
morning definitely decided to abandon
his contemplated northwestern tour and
to return to Washington direct, so soon
as Mrs. Mckinley shall be able to stand
the journey.
The gravity of Mrs McKinley's condi-
ton has been known to the members of
the Presidents immediate party for sew
eral days but has been concealed, IN the
BELIEF that she would rally, as she had
so frequently done in the past when
suffering from one Of her periods OF de-
preston, and with few days of abso-
lutte rest be restored to normal condi-
ton. But her present illness has been
attended with entirely new eompllca-
tiQns, which have not yet yielded to
treatment, and the President concluded
this morning it was time the public
should be appraised of the true situa-
ton. He is also anxious that the resi-
dents of the cities and towns along the
planned route of his return trip who
have made such extensive preparations
for his visit should receive prompt mott
fication of the circumstances which
compel his decision.
The bulletin which Secretary Cortel-
YOU gave to the Associated Press this
morning announcing the abandoning of
the trip. coupled with another an
nouncement that Mrs. Mckinley S con-
dition last night was better In some re-
spects but worse in others, prpared the
way for the bulletin issued two hours
later that DR.. Henry Gibbons, a cele-
Drated physician of San Francisco. had
been called in consultation with DR..
H.rschfelder and DR.. Rixey. DR.. Glib
bons has a reputation here for his skill
in the treatment of bowel disorders. 1t
was the Presidents wish that another
physician be called in consultation, not
because he did not have perfect conf
dence in DR.. Hirschfelder and DR..
Rixey. but because he desired that
nothing that science could DO should be
left undone. He was especially anxious
that the diagnosis Of the attending ply
sicians should agree.
Ever since Mrs. Mckinley arrived at
the Scott residence she has been desper-
ately i'll. Her extreme weakness has
been the most alraming feature of her
condition. Her vitality has been al low
ebb and she has spoken seldom 10 those
about her. The President has been con-
tinually at her bedside since their ar
rival here Sunday night. save the few
hours Monday afternoon, when he left
her to go to San Jose. and the three
hours he spent yesterday in the parade.
Fortunately Mrs. Mckinley slept
through his absence on both occasions.
The strain which the President him
self has undergone during the past few
days has been very great. 1t has been
a personal sacrifice to him 10 carry out
his engagements here. in order not TO
disappoint the people. but he has made
it unselishly and nobly 1t is still his
desire to carry out the prearranged pro-
Gramme in San Francisco to whatever
extent he can.
This morning he thought ne would be
able TO be present at the unwilling of
the DonahUe statue and so informed the
committee. but at the last moment,
when his escort had already been drawn
up before the Scott residence. Mrs Me-
Kinley's condition was such that he de-
cided not 10 leave. All day, except for
brief half hour this afternoon, when
he yielded to the entreaties of those
about him and went out for a drive, he
has remained steadfastly at her side
The members of the cabinet reluctantly
consented to carry out to-day's pro-
gramme at the University of California
and at Oakland. but they put no heart
into the festivities while their chief was
grieving at his wife's bedside. The
visit to Mount Tamalpais, arranged for
tomorrow, has been entirely abandon
ed, but IL Mrs McKinley's condition
shall warrant the President will attend
the reception given by the various vet
eran organizations in the city in the
afternoon.
M. AeKinlsys ainess ~ 90 .n.d-