Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-09-11

Poland, to which place his parents had
moved. Here he remained until his 18th
year, when his father sent him TO Ale
ghany college. His studies were very soon
interrupted by illness, and then by the out
break of the war The greater part of his
schooling, therefore, was at the academy at
Poland, one of those old fashioned schools
of which there are few left, but which
trained so many scholars and statesmen in
the old days. Here Mckinley, not quite
II, studied in the academy, pursued a law
course, led the village debating society,
performed many of the duties of the post
master, taught school, found work for his
hands to do at all times, and became easily
the most promising young man of the COM
munity. 1t was at this time-in 1865
that he became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Poland religious or
ganization with which he has been con-
nected ever since. There are many who
remember his characteristics in those days
when he was first forming his character.
They tell of him that he was genial, happy,
buoyant and always thoughtful of the hap
piness of others with whom he came in con-
tact.
Mr.. Mckinley was a schoolmaster at Po
land when the call came for volunteers to
put down the rebellion. Poland was to
send out company. A meeting had been
called to be held in the Sparrow house
The place was packed. Mckinley had
come from his school to hear the speeches.
When one speaker said, pointing to an
American flag which had been displayed
"Our countrys flag had been shot at. And
for what? That this free government may
keep race in the bondage of slavery.
Who will be the first to defend ito" Nc
Kinley stepped forward, and with him the
first young men of Poland. He and they
enlisted. They became Co. f of the 23d
| Ohio, one of the foremost regiments sent
| by that state to do battle with the confed-
eracy. The company marched from Po-
land TO Youngstown and at Camp Chase,
| Columbus, Joined its regiment and entered
| on actual service. The 23d Ohio was made
up of a superior class of men-men whose
families were largely of New England orr
| gin. Mckinley took his place among them
| by sheer force of executive ability. He be-
came a commissary sergeant and then
second lieutenant. This latter promotion
was for galantry at the battle of Antetam
and was made on the recommendation of
his colonel.
Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes loved McKin-
ley as though he were his own son, and
when he had sent him at the battle of
Kernstown on dangerous mission, which
seemed to promise certain death for the
young soldier, his emotion at being COM
PEELED to do it was visible to the staff. On
McKinleys safe return Hayes said to him:
81 never expected to see you in life again"
At Opequan McKinleys good judgment
and quick apprehension of what should or
what should not be done stood him in good
need. The battle was fought by Sheridan,
lat Mckinley played strong part in
bringing about the final success. twas so
with all of his actions during the five years
he served in the army. One of his init
mates here says of his career then: "He
took great care to be sure that he was
right, but once satisfied nothing could stop
him. That quality made him one of the
best soldiers Ohio sent to the war"
Even when lad William had turned his
thoughts toward the profession of the law,
which was held in peculiarly high estima-
ton in Ohio in those days. The war, how
ever, kindled aspiration for military glory,
and he was somewhat reluctant to leave the
army. Gen. Carroll very strongly urged
him to become a professional soldier
His father, howe' er, with prophetic
wisdom, urged to leave the army and enter