The National tribune., 1902-09-11

ton. He seemed to do everything in his
power to please her. They were very
happy couple.
ON Saturday evenings during his Ad-
ministration there would often be gather
ings Of a few friends in the Blue ParlOr
after dinner, and hymn books would be
brought out and then all would join IN
singing hymns, accompanied by the piano.
Frequently when the President returned
from church on the Sabbath he would hum
the tune of hymn as l was taking him
up in the elevator. On one occasion there
was lady guest at the White House who
accompanied the President to church.
When they returned, on seeing me, he said
to her, This man has been here about 30
years." There were two busts near the
Red Parlor, and he asked whose busts
one of them is John Bright, the English
statesman, and the other is John Jay,
Chief Justice Of the United States" The
President was very fond of music and
singing, as was also Mrs. Mckinley.
The season of 1901 the social functions
were discontinued at the White House
on account of the illness Of Mrs. Mckin-
ley, who was so feeble that We used to
have a rolling chair for her, in which we
took her up and down stairs bodily.
Finally she rallied enough and improved
so nicely that they made trip to Canton
and then followed the trip to California.
The San Francisco trip was looked for
ward to with great deal of pleasure.
All arrangements for the trip went on
harmoniOusly and nicely. Trains were
fitted up and those coEnected with the
Pennsylvania Railroad took the greatest
care IN endeavoring to make everything
and Mrs. Mckinley. Mr.. Stone, who is
now an usher at the White House, but
formerly conductor Of the Pullman
Palace Car Company, accompanied them
on this trip. Before they arrived at San
Francisco. Mrs. Mckinley began to show
| signs of failing health. By the time San
Francisco was reached, she was desper-
ately i'll, and the very best medical skill
was obtained for her. But she recovered,
and was enabled to take the hOmeward
trip, which was n perfect miracle, con-
sidering the fact that her life seemed to
just hang ON thread while there. They
returned to the White House, where she
was still under the care of physicians
Finally she was able to take her carriage
drives again.
On the 9Th of July they started for Can,
ton to spend probably most Of the Summer
there. They then went to Buffalo to visit
| the Exposition which was being held
there.
On the 9th Of September, about % min
utes past 4 in the afternoon, Jerry Smith
one of the servants at the White House
came to the foot Of the stairs and called
up to me, 1.-The President is shotp' He
had been cleaning in the telegraph room
and had heard the awful news. Scarcely
believing my ears, l called out, What
Jerry" He said again, "The President
has been shot" l did not think it could
be ,, supposing it was some wild rumol
tina; had gotten out. asked Mr.. Gilbert
one of the specially appointed policemen
on duty al the White House, to try anC
find out if the news were true, but they
were so busy in the telegraph room tina
we could not hear anything. Mr.. Gilbert
as well as myself, doubted whether th'
report was true. About 20 minutes afte
this a newspaper man came hurrying t,
the White House with the news. Thei
there was deep gloom over all the house
Men were passing to and fro. asking ques
tions continually. We continued to receiv
| word from Buffalo of the Presidents con
, dition, and were very much encourage
from the favorable tone Of most Of them
On the 18th of September we were par
ticularly glad, as on that morning he pa,
took of a cup Of coffee, piece OF tOas
: and a soft-boiled egg, and we all though
! that in about two weeks he would be abl
to return to the White House. On tha
!. night there was a turn for the wors,
e His physicians were called in and worke
t hard over him, but with the sad resu
, that we all know so well. On Friday
grew worse. l remained ut the Whit
q House that nigh: until 10 o'clock. Th
C news continued to come and gloom an
e sadness fell over the whole city and owe
: the Nation. Saturday morning, the LIT
j OF September, at 25 minutes after
t o'clock, he passed away. And there Wa
: sorrow and weeping all over our land. NJ
s little home was among the very first to
: draped in mourning.
K The remains laid in state Sunday an
e part of Monday at Buffalo, and Tuesda
e night were brought to Washington. Mr.
: Mckinley, with DIR. Rixey and Mr.. Abne
e Mckinley, came to the White House prol
ably half an hour before the remains a
I rived. 1t was very sad sight. Previou
0 to his remains being brought in the NJ