Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-17
HOPE OF RECOVERY
Mrs McKinley's Condition is Greatly
Improved Today.
she ASKED FOR NOURISHMENf
Physicians Say the Crisis viii Be
Passed Tomorrow.
MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.

Special From star Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, May 17.-Mrs.
Mckinley has apparently been snatched
from what seemed to be almost certain
death. At the consultation of physicians
early this morning the most encouraging
view of her condition was given. The
members of the Scott household were more
cheerful, and all the surroundings bore
evidence of strong hope of her recovery
Since yesterday afternoon Mrs. Mckinley
has been conscious After good rest last
night she awoke this morning and asked
for a cup of coffee One was given her.
and she facetiously demurred to it's size
saying that it was not as large as she was
accustomed to. She made a number of
Inquiries about different members of the
party.
While the physicians will not state that
the crisis has passed, they are decidedly
more hopeful than they have been for two
days. At this hour yesterday they had
given up hope and the members of the
household were told to prepare for the dis
solution that was thought to be inevitable
The anticipation of death had become so
certain that steps were taken by Henry I.
Scott to arrange for the immediate return
of the funeral train Relatives and friends
here were summoned.
Crowds Awaited the News.
Outside of the house curious crowd
waited for the news of the end. Newspaper
bulletin boards were thronged with people
and the aspect from all viewpoints was
saddening. After the noon hour there was
slight rally. then another, and late at
night bulletin that furnished renewed
hope was given out.
Mrs. Mckinley was kept alive by stmu-
Iants, and the doctors said that she was
too weak for these to have the desired ef-
feet. As the diarrhoea has about run it's
course and there is no other serious trouble
at this time the patient may rapidly gain
strength and get back to her normal condi-
tion. The presidential party is awaiting the
outcome with intense expectancy, but'those
who have been most detected now believe
the crisis has passed The physicians say
they will be able to tell tomorrow morning
what the outcome will be. Not until then
will they venture prediction. A fourth
physician called In at the most critical
point yesterday.
Several San Francisco newspapers had
telephones placed in the open park across
the street from the Scott residence, each
paper expecting TO quickly announce the
death of Mrs Mckinley, but the park COM
missioners promptly stopped this proceed ire
last night. W. ". p.
First Official News.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, May 17.-The
news from the bedside of Mrs. Mckinley
this morning is more hopeful. At $40 a m
Secretary COrtelyOu gave out the first Off
cial bulletin of the day, announcing that
Mrs. Mckinley had passed a restful night
and appeared very much improved over her
condition of yesterday and last night. This
was the first official news that had been
given out since o'clock last night. and 1t
came as relief not only to those within
the Scott residence, but also to the band
of watchers that had kept weary vigil
through the long hours of the night After
the last bulletin of the night had been
given out and DIR. Hirschfelder the con-
sulting physician, had left for the night
announcing that he would not return until
morning. the lights were extinguished ex-
cept in the sick room where the shaded
lamp burned low and only nurse was in
attendance on the patient.
The night was exceedingly disagreeable
Fog came in from the ocean In great clouds
that settled over the hills, and soon de-
veloped into a penetrating mist that sat
urated everything with water
A score of newspaper reporters and half
score Of police officers walked about the
house or stood in sheltered doorwavs
seeking what comfort they could find un-
der the disagreeable conditions
House Was Darkened,
Not a single light was shown in any part
of the house, except faint glow in the
sick room and in the telegraph room where
corps OF telegraphers and stenographers
were kept busy until the early hours of
the morning receiving and transmitting
official kilograms over a direct wire to
Washington.
The doctors Will not express anything
stronger than a hope that Mrs McKin-
ley will recover sufficiently to admit of
her removal to her home, though they
do not declare this with confidence At
intervals Mrs. Mckinley has been conscious
and has recognized her husband who has
remained almost constantly at her side
He is bowed with sorrow. and his care
worn expression is noticeable to all who see
him during hfs brief walks in LAFAYETTE
Park, opposite his temporary home. He
has expressed himself deeply touched
by the sympathy extended to him. From
every quarter of the civilized world cable
grams have poured in. each message
breathing earnest prayer that the wife of
the chief executive may be spared.
Would Not Mar Others Pleasure
The President has personally requested
each member OF his cabinet to keep all en-
gagements and not TO permit the Illness of
hi9 VIE 10 mar the pleasure of their trip.
They have been Ioath to do this however
as all share In the general sorrow Score
tary HAY, worn out with work and worry
remained In his apartments ali day yester-
day. but expects to join the other cabinet
members in reviewing the school children
OF the city on Van Ness avenue TODAY
This was one of the features of the weeks
program. which was anticipated with
pleasure by President Mckinley, and at
his request it wifi be carried put. though
without his presence.
According to recent plans the launching
OF the battle ship Ohio tomorrow will take
place, but the President and members of
fhe cabinet Will not be there. There will be
no banquet by the citizens Saturday night
and all receptions and trips that have been
In contemplation have been abandoned
The only public appearance of the Presf-
dent in San Francisco. excepting in the