The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-17
Her Vitality at a Very Low Ebb-New
Complications Arisen Which do not
Yield to Treat;nent-Dr. Gibbons, a
Noted Specialist, Called In Consulta-
tion-The Party to Return to Wash.
fngton as Soon as Her Condition will
fermft-Messages OF Sympathy from
all Sections.
all Sections.

$1,000
don his proposed visit to other states,
to which he had looked forward with
so u pleasure. AS oon as Mrs.
.Mckinley's health permits, he will re-
turn to Washington, by the most di-
rect route.
AT Z o'clock tonight Mrs. Mckinley
was no better. She has taken only
nourishment for several days
and her extreme weakness excites
much apprehension. The attending
physicians are to hold another con-
|s%ultation about 10 o'clock.
The members of the cabinet VINO were
to have attended the entertainment
given by the Bohemian club tonight.
sent their regrets. The president late
tnls afternoon Cancelled his a
ment Tor the banquet which was to
have been rendered in his honor to-
morrow night by the Ohio Society of
California.
President Mckinley did not go to
berkeley today to attend the COM
|mencement exercises at the UNIVERSE
|ty of California.
The illness of Mrs. Mckinley pre-
vented the president from participant
ing In n ceremonies, but the members
OF the cabinet n others of the presi-
dental party crossed the bay on the
revenue tug Slocumb.
AS the little steamer crossed the har-
Dor n warships lying at anchor in
the bay saluted and sound
ed their sirens. The guests were taken
to the university grounds and the ex-
'ercises of the day were observed. with
secretary Hay acting in the presidents
stead. The party was entertained at
luncheon by President Benjamin Ide
wheeler of the University of Cali
|fornia.
The gravity of Mrs. McKinley's con-
dition has been known to the members
of the presidents immediate party for
several days. but had been concealed.
In the belief that she would rally. as
had so frequently done in the past
when suffering from one of her periods
|of depression. and with a few DAYS of
absolute rest be restored to normal con-
Idition: but her present illness has been
ATTENDED with entirely new complica-
lions. which have not yielded to treat
ment. and the president concluded this
morning that it was time the public
should be apprised of the true situation.
n bulletin which Secretary Cortel-
gave to the Associated Press his
morning. announcing the abandonment
of the trip. coupled with another an
hooilSCiIlCdlI lLdl MIS-. MCf1nloy s con-
|dition last night was better in some re-
|spects. but worse in others, prepared
the way for the bulletin, issued two
hours later. that DR.. Henry Gibbons, a
lcelebrated physician of San Francisco,
had been called in consultation with
DR.. Hirschfelder and DR.. Rixey. DR..
Gibbons has a reputation here for his
skill in the treatment of bowel dis
orders.
1t was the presidents wish tina an
lother physician be called in consulta-
ton. not because he did not have per-
fleet confidence in Drs. H~irschfelder
and Rixey, III because he desired tina
nothing that science could de should be
left undone. He vas especially anxi-
GUS that the diagnosis of the attending
physicians should agree.
Ever since Mrs. Mckinley arrived at
the Scott residence she has been des-
lperately ill. Her extreme weakness
has been the most alarming feature Of
her condition. Her vitality has been at
la low b and she has spoken seldom
to those about her. The president has
been continually at her bedside since
their arrival here Sunday night, save
the few hour Monday afternoon, when
he left her to go to San Jose, and the
three hours ne spent yesterday in the
lparaGe. Fortunately Mrs. Mckinley
slept through his absence on both oc-
IcaSionS.
The strain which the president him.
self has undergone during the past few
days has been very great. All day, eX-
lcept for a brief half our this afternoon
when he yielded to the entreaties of
those about him and went out for a
drive. he has remained steadfastly at
Mrs. McKinley's side.
/ The members of the cabinet reluct-
lantly consented to carry out today's
programme at the university of Cali
fornia and at Oakland. but they put no
heart into the festivities while their
was grieving at his wife'S bedside.
Mrs. McKinley's illness has cast a
shadow owe the entire city. People
have shown their sympathy in a multi
ltude Of ways. All day long little
Igroups have been standing across the
lstreet opposite the Scot mansion 81
llently watching the drawn blinds Of the
room in which the first lady Of the land
LAY. The news of the serious character
lof her illness evidently raveled fast,
because from all over the country this
Afternoon kilograms have been pouring
lin to the president, expressing SYM
lpathy for Mrs. Mckinley and asking
flor tidings Of her condition.
1t is generally reported in this city
this afternoon hat the condition ofMrs
mckinley is extremely critical, but
llOlIlluS VI d ocuIlilc botoAS al NC
Learned. as Mr.. Cortelyou, the only ave
niue of official information, declines to
make public at present anything tan
lgible regarding the happenings in the
sick room.
At 2 o'clock Secretary Cortelyou gave
lout the following bulletin regarding
Mrs. McKinley's condition:
"Dr. Henry Gibbons was in consulta-
Ition with Drs. Hirschfelder and Rfxey
at II o'clock today. They found that
Mrs. Mckinley had lost nothing since
the morning bulletin and is more com
PORTABLE now han then"
Secretary Cortelyou at 9 O'Clock to-
might gave out the following bulletin
to the Associated Press:
The physicians report an improve
ment in Mrs. McKinley's condition
since ROOT today"
Secretary Cortelyou stated that N
further bulletins you he Issued TO-
l7ioht. r4HsSfD
The members of the cabinet are very
.Iapprehensiye that Mrs. Mckinley vii
mot rally. Her physicians have mo-