Publication information

Source:
Buffalo Courier
Source type: newspaper
Document type: article
Document title: “There Are All the Comforts of Home in the Milburn House for Mr. and Mrs. M’Kinley”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: Buffalo, New York
Date of publication: 11 September 1901
Volume number: 66
Issue number: 254
Pagination: [9?]

 
Citation
“There Are All the Comforts of Home in the Milburn House for Mr. and Mrs. M’Kinley.” Buffalo Courier 11 Sept. 1901 v66n254: p. [9?].
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
Milburn residence; William McKinley (medical care).
 
Named persons
George F. Foster [in notes]; Samuel R. Ireland [in notes]; Ida McKinley; Devereux Milburn [variant spelling of first name below]; John G. Milburn; John G. Milburn, Jr. [identified as George below]; Theodore Roosevelt [in notes]; George C. Vaughn.
 
Notes
The article (below) is accompanied on the same page with three photographs, captioned as follows: “Vice President Roosevelt Leaving the Milburn House;” “Vice President Roosevelt Saying Good Bye to John G. Milburn;” “Secret Service Operatives Ireland and Foster in Consultation.”
 
Document


There Are All the Comforts of Home in the Milburn House for Mr.
and Mrs. M’Kinley

 

AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE ROOM IN WHICH THE
PRESIDENT’S BED IS LOCATED

It Faces Delaware Avenue and Is One of the Pleasantest the
Beautiful Milburn Home Affords
.
——
Every Person Approaching or Going into This Room Must Wear
Soft Slippers and Step Quietly
.
——
Most of the Regular Furnishings of Room Have Been Removed—
Necessary Equipment Substituted
.
——
Room Occupied by President Was Formerly Used by Mr. Milburn’s
Sons, George and Devereaux
.

     The President does not, as is generally supposed, occupy a room in the back part of the Milburn residence. He is occupying the room in the northeast corner of the house, directly facing Delaware Avenue. It is the room usually occupied by Mr. Milburn’s sons, George and Devereaux Milburn.
     It is an airy room, 15x16, with the high ceiling that was in vogue at the time the place was built, forty years ago. Much of the furniture which was in the room has been taken out to make way for the necessary tables and appliances in a modern sick room. There was an old-fashioned black walnut wardrobe in the room, which has been the admiration of many of the friends of the Milburn home. This now is in one of the back rooms of the house.
     The dressers and several small tables were removed also. The two bedsteads of the Milburn boys were also taken out to make room for the white iron bedstead on which the President is now comfortably resting. The bedstead is placed in a position to keep the patient’s eyes from the shaded window light. The room is at the present furnished in a most scientific manner.
     The floor is hard wood, covered with a soft rug. A glass table stands near containing all the necessary dishes and appliances used by the surgeons. A few chairs are scattered about the room. There is a comfortable easy chair among them. Once or twice a day it is moved directly in front of the invalid’s bed in a position facing him. This is for Mrs. McKinley when she makes her daily visits to her husband’s bedside.
     Though loads of flowers are carried into the home daily as tokens of sympathy from friends and a loving public, none is allowed in the sick room. This is because flowers absorb oxygen, and modern medical science demands pure air above all things for the sick.
     In constant attendance with the President are two United States army nurses, dressed in the regulation suit of white trousers and coat. Outside the door in the hallway sits a woman nurse.

EMERGENCY NEEDS.

     Though the President takes no solid food, an ice box is placed in a small room directly outside the one occupied by him. This contains whatever might be needed in case of emergency. Another ice box, containing surgical instruments, stands in the hall.
     Every person in the household who enters the room wears soft slippers. The doctors or any friends who are allowed entrance in the room first remove their shoes and place soft-soled slippers on their feet.
     Mrs. McKinley’s room is directly opposite her husband’s. It faces south, overlooking the Glenny residence. It has a large bay window.

AN ANCIENT HOME.

     The Milburn residence is one of the oldest homes in that part of the city. It was built nearly forty years ago by Mr. Vaughn, when Ferry Street and that part of Delaware Avenue were practically Buffalo’s suburbs. It was the Meldrum homestead before Mr. Milburn bought it, about sixteen years ago. It has undergone many changes. It is constantly being remodeled. Today it is one of the finest residences in the land.
     Every person who enters the Milburn house is requested not to gossip, as great efforts are made to have all the news given out officially.