New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-17
ANANKIOUS NIGHT AND DAY.
IN THE EARLY MORNING MRS. rKIN
LEY WAS THOUGHT TO BE DYING.

LEY WAS THOUGHT TO BE DYING.
San Francisco May 16.-During the long and
weary watches Of the night the President did
not leave Mrs. McKinley's bedside. Shortly be-
fore midnight when Drs. Hirschfelder and Glib
bons departed and DR.. Rixey took a little
rest, there hope that her life would be
spared. All day the President has watched the
doctors faces and scanned the demeanor Of the
nurses for sign Of encouragement, and they
have urged him not 20 despair. Mrs. Mckinley
had appreciably rallied in the early hours OF the
night and at 10 o'clock was so much better
that the President had gone next door for a
few minutes TO attend little reception being
held there After midnight for hours there was
sign OF life in the Scott house except the
night lamp burning low in Mrs. McKinley's
room
At = o'clock this morning the police patrolling
outside and the little group Of newspaper watch
ers the corner opposite a stir in the
house Lights fickered here and there. and a
carriage with rubber tires rolled swiftly up to
the door and DR. Eirschfelder alighted. The
word was whispered that Mrs. Mckinley was
sinking. For a time IL was thought she
dying but powerful artificial heart stimulants
revived her slightly. When daylight came the
doctors held another consultation. and the news
OF Mrs. NcKinley's sinking sIell was made pub
lie by Secretary Cortelyou. but there was no
word Of encouragement. With IL went formal
notice that all engagements for the remainder Of
the Presidents stay in san Francisco Were can
celed The President no longer had the heart
TO hold out false hopes that he would be able
10 attend any Of the functions arranged here in
HIS honor His only thought for the wife
lowering between life and death He directed
that all Mrs McKinley's relatives be advised of
The extremely critical condition Of her illness
And steeled himself for the worst.
SYMPATHY FOR THE PRESIDENT.
s the city the bulletins at the newspaper
Offices announcing that the festivities Of the
week were abandoned fell like pail on the
multitude. Not until then was it fully realized
that Mrs Mckinley was at deaths door There
was feeling Of deepest sympathy for the head
Of the nation watching his wife battle for her
life. The people no longer waited the Presidents
coming. Their voices hushed. and they
stood in groups on the streets discussing the
brief tidings from the sickroom. The flags and
banners all about seemed a mere mockery in
the presence Of the dying wife OF the chief ex-
ecutlpe Of the country. The various commit
tees in charge of the numerous entertainments
hurriedly issued bulletins that everything had
been abandoned ont Of respect TO the President
Meantime. air OF death itself pervaded the
scott house. Servants fitted about like shao-
o"s Messenger boys with kilograms and cable
dispatches from all parts OF the world inquiring
Tor news OF Mrs. McKinley's condition passed
IN endless streams to the door. which opened
hoiselessly at their approach. The President
could not be persuaded to leave the sickroom.
aho he remained there constantly with the doc
Tors and nurses, seemingly incapable OF fatigue
The room in which Mrs. Mckinley lies is a
sunny chamber al the southeast corner OF the
mouse. but the food OF sunshine was excluded.
mat the bright light might not disturb the
patient. Gathered in the adjoining room were
the women Of the Cabinet. Miss Barber Mrs
"chlnieys niece, had remained the Scott
muse all night, and Mr.. and Mrs. Morse.
nephew and niece OF Mrs. Mckinley. We're sum-