Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-10
mKlNLEYs HOME LIFE.
Bb Wife IL an Invalid. but She Aids Him
In His Work.

HKlNlEY'S HOME LIFE.
His Wife IL an Invalid. but She Aids Him
In Iii. Work.
Major McKinlcy's home life is very
, happy. despite the fact that his wife is
an invalid Mrs Mckinley was Miss
Ida Saxton, daughter Of James and Mary
Saxton II Canton, .. She received an
excellent education when a girl, spent
some time abroad and became her IA
thcr's assistant in his bank. where IL
was said that her fair face attracted
bouquets and bank notes t0 the window.
"Shc must be- trained, said her father,
Ito buy her own bread il necessary, and
not % sell herself 90 matrimony.
She had many Suitors. but Major Nc
Kinley. then a rising young lawyer,
vanquished all rivalry, removed the
young woman from the cashiers win
dow and won from honest James Saxton
these words when the hand Of the daugh-
ter was gained
You are the only man have ever
known "a whom | would intrust my
daughter -
Mr. Mckinley has always assisted
her husband in politics. Her i'll health
has in no wise deferred her from enjoy
ing the political honors he has won, nor
has it prevented her from being wise
counsel.r Her presence has time and
again served as an inspiration 10 her
husband When political prf rncnt
first came 10 former Governor Mckinley,
il was his wife who convinced him that
he should accept She believed implicit
ly in his talents, and that his service
wonld bc for the good 4 the state she
was certain She has never waverpd in
her faith in her husbands convictions,
and ccrs qU,ntly she Is prpt,ct'onist
and believes the country must have q
protective tariff law.
She has confidence in him, not only as
q public official, but rs a man Her i'll
ness has been overcome by her affection.
and she has travelled thousands ~ miles
when she was weak in body NOR ly that
she might be near him. She has encour-
aged him toy word, look and presence,
and he has in knightly style returned
the favors and reciprocatcd the sacred
affection. H.r home life has been short,
for cut # the % years ~ married life
more than 20 have been passed by her
husband in the public service. She has
lived IN hotels, doubtless source of re-
gret, since her fragile body made it
moro than imperative that she should
have "A quiet place She has never COM
planned, but has urged Governor Nc
Kinlcy TO push forward in his public ca
rccr.
Mrs Mckinley spends most of her
time in a coy apartment on the second
floor, and much of her leisure is devoted
20 crochcting those dainty little slippers
which have So many times brought sun
shine into gloomy hospital wards III va
rious parts II the ntry. II is said
that she has knitted over {, 900 pairs II
these slippers in her 90 years Il invalid
life. In appearance Mr. Mckinley is of
medium height, with brown hair and
large deep blue eyes. Although an in
valid, she makes and receives calls and
often goes on shopping tours. Mrs.
Mckinley cares little for dress, al
though her toilets are always in excel
lent taste.
Her face betrays faint languor. sug-
gestive Of the invalid, but 1t is fair and
bears a stamp Of beauty, in spite II the
40 years she carries. Her Ill health dates
from girlhoOd. As "A student she with
difficulty undertook the studies Of the
course, by reason Of this condition, but
with constant care and frequent medical
attention she overcame all trouble suf-
ficiently % enjoy life and 10 taste Of its
pleasures. Her actual invalidism dates
from the birth Of their second child, in
1871. This child died in It's infancy and
was followed by the first child, daugh-
ter Of years a short time afterward.
Her mother also died about this time.
These sorrOws were more than she could
bear, and she has never recovered. At
present IL appearance and in actual
health her condition is better than for
several years previous.
A little story Of McKinley's homo
acts while governor may be Of interest.
No less than his attention TO his wife,
his thought and care for his mother.
particularly since his fathers death in
1892, have attracted comment. 1t had
been his custom while at home in Can
ton 10 take his mother 10 church each
Sunday morning When he went 10 Co
lumbus a. governor he determined %
keep up the practice as much as possi-
BILE, and unless the press of public busi-
ness was very great he always slipped
quietly over 10 Canton from the state
capital on Sunday mornings and walked
10 church with his mother on his arm.
The next train would carry him to Co
lumbus, where his wife awaited his
coming. Naturally the mother looks
with pride on such a son.