The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-05-24
NATION SORROWS
AT HER BEDSIDE
Cherished Idol of Stricken
Chief is Dying
Few Hours VIII Loosen Mrs. NfcKin-
ley's Hold on Life and She VIII
Join Husband.
susrArNs AporLExY STROKE

Canton, o., May 24.-Dr. Port
man, who is attending Mrs. McKin-
ley. widow of the president, said
this morning that her heart is
stronger and she is in no immediate
danger of death. Should she con.
tinue to improve she might survive
for week. Her strength being kept
up by heart stimulants.
Attendants at the bedside of Mrs.
Mckinley at 1888 this morning
thought her condition somewhat i'm
proved
After consultation at the MoKin-
ley home by Dr. e. C. Portman. fam
lily physician of Mrs. Mckinley, and
DR.. j. r. Eymann, superintendent of
the Massillon State hospital, physic-
ians of wide reputation. a statement
was issued that there were no indi-
cations that Mrs. mckinley could
long survive the attack of apoplexy
from which she is suffering. The doc
tors say, however, that they think
dissolution will not come for a day
or two.
Mrs. Mckinley is in comatose
condition and it is stated that there
are no grounds for hope of better
turn. 1t Is announced that surgeon
General Rixey by special railway ar
arrangement will reach here today.
kilograms from all parts of the
country have been pouring into Can
ton anxiously inquiring as to Mrs.
McKinley's condition and evincing
widespread sorrow over the announce
ment of her critical Illness
Mrs. Mckinley has been i'll nearly
all winter. having suffered a severe
attack of grip some months ago fol-
lowed later by bronchitis Physicians
say that In her weakened condition
she was an easy victim to the dis
ease with which she was stricken to-
day.
Nearing Sixtieth Birthday.
She is nearing her sixtieth birth
day and as is well known that she
has long been In feeble health Mrs
Mckinley gave up knitting recently
and this was taken as an indication
that her hold upon life was slight,
as ever since the tragic death of her
husband she has found solace In knit
ting slippers for friends and invalids.
OF late Mrs. Mckinley has been
obliged TO keep close within doors.
but before that she was in the habit
of taking daily walks and of riding
to the cemetery with flowers to place
upon the casket which contains the
body of her late husband
DR. Portman after mis- visit to the
Mckinley home at II o'clock an
Dounced that he found change for
the better In Mrs. McKinley's condi-
ton. She was then in semi-con-
scious condition. When spoken to
she opened her eyes slightly. Dr.
Portman. however, said the change
was not such as would lead him to
expect any great improvement, neith-
or did he think fatal turn could be
expected before morning. He regard
ed her condition as satisfactory as
could be expected under the circum-
stances but at the same time could
predict only survival of few days
at the most. judging from the present
state of the patient.
All Canton Mourns.
The feeling of mourning in Canton
over Mrs. McKinley's condition is
only second to that which was exhib-
tied during the few days that proceed
ed the death of her lamented hus-
band
Rev. NJ e Buxton, pastor of the
First Methodist Episcopal church
and Mrs. McKinley's clergyman, came
down the steps of the Mckinley home
after visit at Mrs. McKinley's bed
side. Buxton had been shedding
toars.
Mrs Mckinley is very low" he
said. -Four nurses are attending;
two nurses remain at her bedside
continually. Her weakness is pitiful.
II scarcely seems possible that she
can liYe more than few hours at
the most. believe everything medi.
cal skill can do Is being done to pro-
long her life until the arrival of Sur
seon General Rixey."
Wish May Not BE FulhlIed.
Buxton Is pastor of the church
from which President Mckinley was
buried
1t is stated by close friend OF
Mrs Mckinley that It had been her
Creates wish that she might live to
witness the unwilling of the monu-
ment to President Mckinley In Sep.
TENDER but that recently she had ex-
pressed the belief that she would be
denied that privilege.
CorteIyou Goes TO Canton.