Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-07
DISPATCH. WEDNESDAY,
M'KINLEY's STOLEN RIDE.
The Story Of a Journey on a Car Platform
During the Campaign of 1sso-An Incl
dent the Tariff Champion Well Remem-

| Durhg tne Campaign OF lSSV-An Incl
dent the Tariff Champion Well Remem-
| bers.
One day not long ago when Major McKin-
ley, VINO Is just now raising such hubbuo
in Ohio, and in fact all over the country, was
IN the St1llman, the swelest hostclry in
Cleveland, he told to few friends the story
OF nights ride he once took that recalls
the real beginning of his national life and
| the start of his reputation as an advocate
Henry Roesser, who keeps the queer and
beautiful inn, built on the old English plan,
with cozy hooks and corners here and there
| which bears the name of Stillman, very
| proper one, it is so quaint and quiet, took
| grip on the Majors words and seeks to feed
| the narrative with more points whenever 1t
| is possible. He asked Frank Burr, of the
New I ork Press, for his recollections of the
event, and here it is without varnish or
| frills:
What under heavens is a know nothing
crossfng?" said Major Mckinley to me one
night at little country town in the interior
OF Maine. His manner was very earnest and
| anxious
| His Campaign in Maine.
Mr.. Blaine and himself had been speaking
that day to a large audience of countrymen.
| 1t was in the State campaign of 1889, when
the Republican party OF the Pine Tree State
was making such a big fight to carry the
! September election as the preliminary skir-
mish to the great battle of October between
Hancock and Garfield. Major Mckinley had
not up to that time attempted to cut much
| of figure in Congress- and was still in the
"kid" class, as the older members please to
| call the new ones. His leadership had not
even budded and he was biding his time.
! But Mr.. Blaine, with that art of which he is
| the master, of calling about him young and
forceful chara cters, fixed his artillery eye ON
| Mckinley for the crucial test of his power in
Maine, then on.
In those days the great Secretary of State
| did not speak often, but when he did thou
| sands went to hear him and no one else had
| much of chance. But he spoke with NC
| hlnley this year and seemed to like 1t. Ihe
young Major, with his short, round body and
| full, fresh face, attracted attention, and at
the meeting which is the groundwork OF my
| tale, he fairly divided the honors with the
| most popular man in the United States.
| This crossing is quite an important one,
| and by the laws of the State all trains must
come to a dead standstill at all times before
| passing across the tracks of another line L
explained these facts to Mr. Mckinley,
for for had had some experience with them zen,
finished, and then said: "Well take the sim
gle chance"
He made his speech, and when it was over
| the country liveryman had a rig ready to
| take us across the country. The night was
| dark and not comfortable. We reached the
| crossing ID minutes ahead of the train.
Anxious to Catch Train.
The "Plumed Knight" left after the
afternoon talk and Major Mckinley
| STAYED to speak again in the evening in the
little country town.
He was very anxious to reach Boston the
next morning, so rs to catch an early train
for New York and thence West. 1t was not
| an easy matter. The railroad he had to
TO alyo yrae mir ND thar
no train that stopped at North Berwick the
nearest station on the line that could be
reached; but the Major was so bent on going
that suggested that ''know nothing cross
ing' near the station at North Berwick,
where the Boston and Maine crosses the
Eastern Railway, was the only chance. 1t
was this suggestion that brought out the
ejaculation from the Major above quoted.
Felt Like Train Robbers.
Stationing ourselves on either side of the
track as nearly as possible we gauged the
stopping point. 1t was understood between
US that the moment the train stopped both
were to jump on the first platform within
our reach. We obeyed instructions to the
letter and the second the train halted we
leaped for the iron ratings Of the first car.
Both caught on without great difficulty, but
in the excitement and anxiety of the mo-
ment neither discovered that we were on
the rear platform of the express car, with
the mail car between us and the coaches,
doors from both leading out upon the plat
form upon which we were seated. At this
moment each was graphing the iron railing
with an energy fed by a vivid imagination.
"Gracious!" said Mr. Mckinley. this is a
pretty predicament. l wonder If we will be
both. How far is it to Portsmouth? 1 hope
not far"
"Twenty-sik miles," replied.
"Then we have got to sit here an hour"
"Just about" answered.
All this talk was half under our breath, for
it was not pleasant situation for two men
die of the night at :know-nothing" cross
ing, where there was no sta tion and without
any authority. The fact would have justi-
fled those in charge of the cars in treating
US about as they pleased if observed. We
may, perhaps. have magnif1ed the danger of
the moment, but by no manner of means the
unpleasantness either in situation or sugges-
tion.
An Uncomfortable Situation.
But we held on while the train thundered
along, turning sharp curves, dashing over
newly-laid switches and jumping over
rough frogs, sometimes so harshly as to
make US vince and feed our nervousness
with thoughts of leaving the track and of
death OH the rail. Now and then, when the
car would twitch little too roughly, we
would lean over and touch each other to be
certain that all was well with both.
Although We we're on an express train and
were running rap pidly, every minute seemed
an hour, and incident after incident only
suggested the possibility of accident
either by run off, or from the unpleasant
intrusion of some of the men from the mail
or express cars. Thus the minutes passed
as if laden with lead, and about the only re-
lief for the harshness OF the occasion was
the sheets of light that would cut the dark
ness in twain for an instant whenever the
engine door was opened Then each would
look quickly to see If the other was all right
As glimmer from a flash light is cheerful
sight to a mariner at sea, SO these occasional
flashes from the engine furnace were pleas
ant to US.
Early in the escapade we had agreed upon
q plan of action. Major Mckinley was to
keep his eve on one door and on the other
so as to make the best explanation we could
as quickly as possible, if any of the en-
ployes came out. Once suggested that we
knock and see if we could not get back in
the coaches.
Would Take No More Chances.
"No," said the Major, 81 would rather
stand this, rough and uncertain as 1t is, than
to take any more chances"
1 accepted the situation, and thus the
journey was finished. As we crossed the
Merrimac river and rolled into the depot at
Portsmouth, we jumped off, black with coal
DUST and breathed a sigh of relief half
mile long. A little water on hands and face
and mug of Frank Jones' ale. for which the
place is principally noted, put more cheer
full view on affairs, but Mckinley said then
81 never want to take another such a ride,
either in the daylight or darkness"
DETROIT TIN PLATE
The Steel Plates Are Made in PittsDurg
and Fini shed in Michigan.
Toledo Blade.J