Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-18
MRS. MCKINLEY.

Yesterday evening at 7:30 Mrs. Nc.
Kinley left the White House for the
last time. Just as the sun was setting
on the last day which Mrs. Mckinley
says she would ever spend in Washing
ton, she knelt beside the bed where she
spent 80 many hours OF pain, aud cried
to her niece, Mary Barber, that she
would to God she had never risen from
her last illness. She later surrendered
herself to her nurses, and remained
quiet until it was time to depart upon
the last stage of ner husbands funeral
journey.
Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley and
others, who had been 10 the White
House since Monday night, assembled
10 the main lobby aud entered the
closed carriages prepared for the de-
psrture for the depot.
With Mrs. Mckinley were DR.. Rixey
and Mics Mary Barber. This young
girl is Mrs. McKinley's chief depend
ence, and, since her bereavement, has
lived and slept by her aunt's side, an
example OF devotion and self-sacrifice
rarely seen 10 one not yet 20 years OF
age.
Mrs. Mckinley spent the entire day
10 her bedroom. 1t IVES decided early
yesterday morning that it would be
best for her not to be present at the
state obst quies at the Capital. Mon
day night as soon as Mr.. McKinley's
body was placed 10 the East Room, she
begged piteously for permission to tell
her dear husband good night. DIR.
Rixey Immediately made arrangements
that the East Room should be cleared
even of the naval and marine guard OF
honor. Supported by her physician
she was lead to the cesket and spent
bali an hour sitting quietly beside her
msrlyred husband. She then went to
her room and slept quietly until dawn
was breaking, when she summoned DIR.
Rixey and again asked 10 90 to the
East Room. This request was COM
piled with In the same manner. After
the remains of the President were
taken 10 state to the rotunda of the
Capitol she retired to her room and
spent the entire day with her sister
and nieces, Mrs. Barber and her
daughters.
Several times throughout the day she
alluded to her happy life 10 Washing
ton, and seemed to dwell with particu'
lar psthos on the first day ofher arrival
in the White House. Mrs. Cleveland
was there to welcome her and had
prepared her reception. After each
"reminiscences she wept as though she
regretted all the triumphs, socisl and
political, which had only led to the
| tragedy OF her bereavement.
A concourse Of distinguished people called
during tho afternoon, but none were admitted
TO Mrs. McKinley's presence. President and
Mrs. Roosevelt called twice, once in the
morning and again inithe afternoon, but on
neither occasion did they see Mrs. Nc Xinley
Secretary and Mrs Hay, Secretary and the
Misses Hitchcock, the Postmaster General
and Mrs. Smith, the other members Of the
Cabinet and all the high officials of the gov.
eminent called, and many left flowers and
touching messages Of coincidence.
Speaking of the alarming reports OF Mrs.
McKinleJ's health, DIR. Rixey who for four
years has been her attending physician, said
MRS. McKinley's condition has not given
OCCASION Tor lmme0lhte flarm. sue 10 K1ot-
stricken, es would DO any wife who had lost
her husband, do not consider In this the
delicate health Of Mrs. Mckinley nor the
tragic taking away Of our lamented president
From the first moment OF receiving the
sad news she has wept copiously, and this, as
every one knows, Is favorable sign. We
remember. of course, with much apprehen.
sion that excitement has always been to her
a certain stimulantsnd it may be that mer-
ciful dispensation OF Providence is aiding her
to bear her burden now but l put the case
thai, let my Wit be as feeble as Mrs. McKin-
Icy aud dependeh. Oh her husband Is she has
been, and let her be deprived Of that main
stay by q staggering calamity, and doubt II
the strongest In the land could bear IL bet
ter. She has subdued her grief in perfectly
natural way. The climax Of her sorrow will
come at Canton. The homo into which the
dead body of her husband will Re borne is
the homestead which she entered as his happy
bride. No other place, either to the Presi-
dent or to her, has borne the name of home.
We fear. of course, that there will be col
lapse. but that is only natural, all things con-
sidered."