The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-09-17

the belief that his services might be
desired.
Vitality Was Wonderful.

dying chief, sent out formal notifica- /
ton that the president was dying.
But the president fingered on, his
pulse growing fainter and fainter.
There was no need for official bull
letins after this. Those who came
from the house at intervals told the
same story-that the president was
dying and that the end might come
at any time. His tremendous vitality
was the only remaining factor in the
result and this gave hope only of
brief postponement of the end.
Vice President Roosevelt had been
notified early in the day of the critical
state OF affairs. There was no longer
of the president complete change
in the executive administration of the
government would ensue. When Mr..
Roosevelt would take the oath of Office
was wholly a matter of conjecture.
President Arthur took the oath at
"a. m. after the death of Garfield, and
in that case Justice Brady of New
York administered the oath. There is
no requirement that the oath shall be
administered by justice of the Unit
ed States supreme court, although
that procedure is adopted when cir
cumstances permit
Without unseemly haste the mem.
bers ussthe cabinet will tender their
resignation and the new president will
then be free to initiate his own policy
and choose his own cabinet.
Roosevelt on the Way.
Mr.. Anslley Wilcox, who enter
tanned the vice president when he was
here last, said the best information
he had was that Mr.. Roosevelt would
be here TO-DAY. He said the vice presi-
dent would be unable to reach rail
road station much before a. ~, and
that would bring hina here about noon
today MIR. Wilcox said in eXplana-
ton OF Mr.. Roosevelts being so far
out Of touch:
"The vice president was at all times
very optimistic and when he went
away was absolutely positive that the
president would recover and that the
convalescence would be rapid. He
certainly never expected todays sad
occurrence
Shortly after midnight the presi-
dents breathing was barely percepti-
BILE. His pulse had practically ceased
and the extremities We're cold. 1t was
recognized that nothing remained but
the last struggle, and some Of the
friends OF the family who had re-
/ Mained through the day began to leave
The house, not caring to be present
at the final scene.
Such an intense state Of anxiety
existed among the watchers that ru-
mors gained frequent circulation that
death had already occurred.
The arrival of the coroner gave rise
to Que such rumor and a flood OF
groundless dispatches were sent, say
ing that the end had come. These
were speedily set at rest by an official
statement from within the house tina,
the reports of death We're groundless
and that the president still lived.
Coroner Wilson said that he ha6
been ordered by the district attorne.
Of the county to go to the Milburl
residence as soon as possible afte
the announcement of death. He hat
]. seen a reputable local paper issuet
with the announcement that the presi
dent died at :06 p. m. and had hui
ried to the house. He was very mucl
chagrined when DR.. Mann met hin
at the door and told him that his sery
ices were not required and that h
would be notified when he was wanted
Final Scenes in Death Chamber.
From authoritative officials the 70
lowing details of the final scenes i
and about the death chamber were Sc
cured:
The president had continued in a
unconscious state since $50 p. m. D.
Rixey remained with him at all time
and until death came. The other dot
tors were in the room at times an
then repaired to the front room, wher
their consultations had been helt
About 2 o'clock DR.. RiXey noted tn
unmistakable signs of dissolution, an
the immediate members of the famil
were summoned to the bedside. Mr.
Mckinley was asleep and it wa
deemed desirable not to awaken he
for the last moments of anguish.
Silently and sadly the members {
the family stole into the room. The
stood about the foot and sides of tn
bed where the great mans life Wa
ebbing away. Those in the circl
were Abner Mckinley, the president
/. brother; Mrs. Abner Mckinley, Mis-
Helen, the presidents sister, Mr.
Sarah Duncan, another sister; Mi:
Mary Barber, niece; Miss Sara
Duncan, Lieutenant j. j. Mckinley,
nephew; William M. Duncan,
nephew; Hon. Charles G. Dave
comptroller of the currency; F. \
Osborn, cousin; Webb c. Haye
John Barber, cousin; Secretal
George B. Cortelyou, Colonel w.
Brown, the business partner of Abn
Mckinley; DR.. P. M. Rixey, the fal
lily physician, and six nurses and 6
tendants.
a3J.ilii. 3eAis w. u. ply!
clans, including Drs. McBurney, Wa