Evening journal., 1907-05-24
MRS. M'KINLEY
NEARING THE END
Of MariyTed PreSi-
dent Approaching Death
at Canton Home
D. on ON Nc. Publlshers, 30.

By Our Own Wire. Publishers Press.
MCKINLEY RESIDENCE, CANTON,
o., May 24.-For weeks curtain Of
mental darkness has been closing down
on Ida Saxton Mckinley. Now, as
she lies here facing death in the old
home Of the martyred President only
a glimmer Of consciousness remains to
her.
All about her are the things he knew
pictures. books and chairs in which
he sat. The sight OF them tore at her
heartstrings when they brought his
body home from Buffalo. Later on
they brought to her a tender consola-
ton in the memories they recalled.
But now to her they are without mean
ing.
She has had hallucinations. At times
she has seemed to see 1.-THE major" as
she always called Mckinley, seated
there by her bedside. She has stretch
ed out her wasted hand toward the
hand that has been still and gone for
six years now. And when the illusion
has faded and she sees the chair empty
as it is, she has still been spared mer-
cifully the aching sense of loss that
has never before left her mind.
She would sigh just a little. then
soon would sink back, smiling peace
fully At times her mind has been
filled with a dread that she has gone
from home and is in a strange house
Then her nurses have led her to the
windows and pointed out the famil-
lar trees and the houses Of her neigh
bors all about
"Then I am home" she would say,
and suffer herself to be led back 10
her chaA. The visits Of DIR. o. E
I Portmann have never failed to revive
her. He has been her physician since
the death Of Or. Phillips, who attended
her for years.
When Mckinley was living in Cantor
he called on DR.. Portmann. He asked
that if Mrs Mckinley should be left a
widow and DIR. Phillips, then an old
man, should die that DR.. Portmanr
would care for her. DR.. Portmanr
promised.
And when Mckinley was dying in
Buffalo, the fate of his invalid wife
was on his mind. Through Surgeon
Rixey he sent word to DR.. Portmann
reminding him of the promise.
1t is in recognition of this fact that
DIR. Portmann, when the end seems al
hand, has sent 20 Washington for tn,
surgeon.
Il had feared this end" said DR.
Portmann. last night. Il knew it was
approaching. had hoped TO carry hel
through, at least, until after the dedi-
cation Of the monument TO Mckinley
here. Her heart was - on it. But
we have failed" Mrs. Mckinley ha.
been an invalid for thirty-four years.
Tuesday Mrs. Mckinley had her las
drive. Her nurses were out with hei
an hour. They drove seven miles into
lthe country. She seemed to enjoy the
air but said little during the drive.
A few days before in her drive she
visited the vault where soldiers of tn,
regular army still stand guard. Sh'
carried flowers. The last time she wa
inside 90 vault was last fall, whei
Secretary Cortelyou accompanied he
to tho cemetery.
Until yesterday noon the patients
heart was strong. Then it began e
lfail. She lapsed into unconsciousness
and a pinched look told the attending
physician Of a rapidly approaching
death.
-Four nurses are attending Mrs. Nc
Kinley Her sister, Mrs. McBarber
spent last night with them. DR.. Port
mann lent the house soon after Il
lo'clock. He saw no change in her con-
/ ditiOn.