Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1902 — McKinley Memorial Day January 29 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

McKinley Memorial Day January 29

McKinley Memorial Day, January 29, has been generally observed throughout the country with every mark of sorrow and respect which a 'grateful people could pay to the memory of one who had deserved well of them. Services were held Sunday in churches of almost every denomina-

tion, and the fund for the erection of a suitable monument to commemorate the public services and private virtues of the distinguished statesman reached a figure far In excess of the amount hoped for by the committee which had the work in charge. The details of the dastardly crime at Buffalo, which robbed the American people of a devoted servant, are too fresh in the public mind to need recapitulation, but an account of the president’s last day on earth and the noble and Christian fortitude with which he met his fate, is appropriate at this time. The sorrowful scenes enacted around the house of Mr. Milburn, president of the Buffalo exposition, where the president died, have had few parallels in our history. The last day, which ended in despair was begun In hope. The ills that came on Friday afternoon, when the organs of digestion refused to handle the solid food that had been taken earlier in the day, had seemingly been overcome by midnight, and when the new day came it found the president relieved and resting. Hope that had suddenly dropped from the high place which it had held began to revive. The healing of the wounds had progressed favorably, general conditions were in the main satisfactory, and the immediate future of the case seemed to hold no threat. The physicians who had been In almost constant attendance, during the night parted, and the watch in the sickroom was reduced. Suddenly there was a failure of the heart, which for several days had been manifesting signs of weakness, and the president sank toward unconsciousness. This was at 2 o’clock in the morning. There was an immediate application of restoratives, and a general call was sent to the absent physicians nnd nurses. Digitalis, strychnia and saline solution were administered to the patient, but there ■was no. Immediate response to treatment. The physicians admitted that he was desperately 111. Secretary Cortelyou decided to send for the relatives and close friends of the president, the vice president and the members of the cabinet. Those

The Philadelphia nurse who attended the president. within reach were called by telephone or messenger and telegrams were rushed to those who had left the city. The first of the messages went out at 2:30 o’clock and within half an hour the Milburn house began to fill again. The serious condition of the president and the general call sent out gave rise to a general feeling of alarm that was never again allayed. Desperate measures were resorted to In order to stimulate the heart, and the sinking spell was over by 4 o’clock. It was decided to continue the treatment, and the physicians laid their greatest hope on weathering the <s»y. It was agreed that if the wounded man could be carried for twentyfqiir hours his chances would be very favorable, for the wounds were healing splendidly. It was decided to summon Dr. W. W. Johnston of Washington and Dr. , E. G. Janeway of New York, heart specialists, and telegrams were hurriedly sent asking that they come at once. Before dawn a dozen of the relatives and friends of the president arrived at the Milburn house. They aaaembled in thc v drawing-room, *hm» they waited, for tidings from the sick room, . The physicians assur-

ed them that the president had a fighting chance for his life and all day they clung to the hope that in the end victory would be his. Hundreds of visitors came during the morning, and if the police had not kept the streets clear and barred entrance to Delaware avenue, there would have been thousands. Senator Hanna came from Cleveland by special train. Other friends arrived by regular trains, and all through the day they came in increasing numbers. Their regret and sympathy were profound. The day developed but little encouragement for them, however. During the forenoon the president made a slight gain, and held it well into the afternoon. His physicians announced that they had given him nourishment, and it was thought that poesibly there was a chance for a further gain of strength. It was known, however, that he was in a very serious state, and every interest centered in the sick room, where the struggle was in progress. Suddenly, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, there was a repetition of the heart attack, and those in the presence of the stricken man knew that the end was at hand. This knowledge soon spread to the street, and the wafting newspaper men bulletined it to the world. Every one who came from the house was besought for an expression as to the

state of the president. Each succeeding report was worse than its predecessor, and the official bulletins were absolutely without hope. Words of consolation to his wife were the last that passed the president's lips, and they came after a general “good-by” said to the American people, whom he loved so well and of whose manhood he was so fine a type. Those present in the room when the president died were: Dr. Rlxey, Abner McKinley, Mrs. Sarah Duncan, Miss Helen McKinley, Miss Mary Barber, Miss Sarah Duncan, Lieutenant James F. McKinley, W. C. Duncan, T. M. Osborn, Colonel Webb C. Hayes, Comptroller Charles G. Dawes, Colonel W. C. Brown, Secretary Cortelyou, John Barber, Miss Grace MacKenzie, the chief nurse, and three orderlies. The president had continued in an unconscious state since 8:30 p. m. Dr. Rlxey remained with him until death came. The other doctors were in the room at times, and then repaired to the front room, where their consultations had been held.

Mrs. McKinley.

Miss Grace MacKenzie.

The Late President KcKinley.