Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-04
HOW TIRE MAJOR HEARD THE NEWS
He Was slow In Consider Himself Ele'
ed-Canton Goes wild.

Canton, o., Nov. 4.-By IL o'clock
last night the reports received by Gov.
Mckinley satisfied him that the Amer
lean people had elected him TO the
presidency OF the United States. For
three hours before that time q steady
stream OF favorable reports had been
coming from all vital sections, with
now and then the announcement of a
Bryan success at less essential points,
but the governor, always calm and
cautious, was slow to jump at conclu-
sions although those about him had
by 10 O'Clock begun their transports Of
victory and were extending their con-
gratulations. II was not until the re-
ports from Illinois. reinforcing those
Of Ohio. Indiana. Iowa, Nebraska. Ken
lucky and the east had made assurance
doubly sure. that the chief actor In the
scene returned to congratulations.
pressed upon him from all sides. and
forced to believe that the Republican
national ticket had carried the day.
II was a scene without dramatic ac-
cessories. but strikihgiy impressive.
The central figure maintained that
same repose Of features. the same set
expression Of the square Jaw as usual:
ard yet IL was evident that this sturdy
figure was profoundly sensible of the
decisive results which had been made
known. and that strange emotions were
surging within this calm and dignificd
exterior. He paced about the library
scanning the returns as they PILED one
upon another In his favor. The cast
had brought the first encouragement:
then came Kentucky. Iowa. Tennessee.
A.. a..
the stronghold Of the west. Illinois.
But even while the current was set
ting In he shook his head and warned
those around not to be over sanguine.
10 wait a few hours when all would he
known beyond the possibility Of con-
tradiction. BY Q o'clock Garrett A.
Hobar; had teiegraphcd his congratu-
iations. and at io:45 Chairman Hanna
sent a message closing with: You are
elected TO the highest Office In the land
by the people who have always loved
and trusted YOU" Shortly before mid
night Gov. Morton teiegraphcd his
heartiest congratulations ION your tri-
urnphant election TO the presidency ri
the United States" Then followed the
deluge Of congratulations from every
section OF the country. Major Mckin-
ley read them to his friends. and many
Of them were taken 60 Mrs. McKin-
Icy and the crowd OF ladies who paced
the parlor across the hall from the
library. At midnight cannon began
booming n salute on the public square
All Canton was In the streets and bear.
ing toward the Mckinley cottage.
At 1880 Mckinley received a tremen-
dous ovation from his Canton towns.
people. He took a position on top ri
the porch Of his residence and waved
his salutations fo the enthusiastic con-
course. The midnight was made lirh,
as da, by hundreds Of fiambeaux and
blazing fires OF red and green. Major
Mckinley made no address. For an
hour the remarkable spectacle proceed
ed. The whistles Of all the factories
Joined In one long continued screech
which echoed throughout the town
Mingled with this was the booming 81
cannon. the firing of guns and pistols
and the shouts from thousands 81
throats. The crowd was massed solid.
~ for three squares down Market
street.
Al a. m. today the major was r'ii
awake and the enthusiastic citizens
we're still giving him an ovation. ORE
Continued on Seventh page.