The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-05
MRS. M'KINLEY.
A Sketch of her Life, Charities and
characteristics.

/ y
Characteristics.
Harry Germaine in Augusta Chronicle.)
| A reporter called upon Abner Mckinley
an evening or so ago to get from him
few accurate statements about the next
Lady Of the White House, and particu-
larly that side of her life least written
about-her charities.
In a Presidents wife, the charity side
is an immensely important one; and her
charitable leanings and soft tendencies
often balance the life of nation. 1t is
said that Lilliuokani owed Growers
championship to the Intervention of Mrs.
Cleveland in her behalf.
The reporter found Abner Mckinley
seated in the staircase hall of the beauti-
full hotel where, with his family, he lives
when in New York, which is for most
of the year.
1t is magnificent place, all palms and
stained glass windows, while easy chairs,
soft carpets and great velvet touches
suggest ease and luxury of the most
aesthetic, aristocratic type. In the midst
of it all, comfortably chatting with a par
ty Of gentlemen, sat Abner Mckinley
NOW IN GOOD HEALTH.
II don't wish to be interviewed" said
he, "about my brothers wife. She is
well known and will be better known
in the next few years, but do wish
right here now to correct the absurd
rumors that she will not be able to
preside as mistress Of the White House.
She is in better health now than she
has been in years, and will fill her posi-
ton ably More than that do not want
to say"
But" said the reporter handing Mr..
Mckinley a manuscript with the Can
ton postmark, ''you will at least look
this over and say if it is correct. This
was written by friend of Mrs. McKin-
ley in the city OF Canton"
The brother Of the President-elect
glanced the written pages through.
'That, like most accounts of Mrs. Me-
Kinley,' said he, '"is nine-tenths false,
| Never was so much untrue matter writ
ten about a woman who wanted the
truth, and only the truth, said about
her.
Mrs. Mckinley said the Majors
brother glancing at the reporter with
| those keen eyes that look so much like
| those Of the President-elect, lis q very
| charitable woman. As you wish me to
| talk about her charities, | will say that
| she is extremely liberal. She gives away,
and gives away, without apparently
knowing any stint in her giving. She is
an unselfish giver."
! What form does her charity take?
"She gives anything she has. Flowers,
| if she has them, fruits, money, kindness,
anything she has at her disposal"
is A CLUB WOMAN.
rs Mrs. Mckinley club woman
sNot in the sense Of strong-minded
| women's clubs But she belongs to ev-
/ erything organized for women. If there
| are fruit and flower societies, she be-
longs to them. If missionary societies,
| she is one of them. If there are sewing
circles. fairs or donations of any kind,
her name is numbered in the list Of help
| ers. She is in everything. Does she
| taboo political clubs? No, / think not.
| have an idea she belongs to anything
that pleases her, if interested in any
| branches of politics she would not hest
tate to take an active part She is not
| actively opposed to women's movements
of any kind.
Mrs Mckinley" continued Abner, is
keeping house now for the first time II
| sixteen years During that period she
has boarded at a we'll known hotel II
Washington, and at one as well known II
| Columbus. and in hotels wherever hel
Husbands business took him. She Is
house keeping now, and will continue Il
keep house, of course.
HAS she a conservatory? / know that
she has none at present. She is very
fond Of plants, and always has a few Of
them. But she has no large conservatory
and will doubtless enjoy the one in Wash
ington. where she will work personally
as other White House ladies have done
She is a very appreciative woman Of al
home beauties and is fond Of workin;
among flowers.
Mrs. Mckinley is active in churcl
work. In Canton, she attends the Firs
Methodist church, where she has pew
Neither the President nor his wife have
decided where the Presidents pew will
be in Washington. Will it be the Foundr!
Methodist church? Well, so / hear, bu
neither has yet decided, Of that am sure
Whatever church it is, Mrs McKinle!
will be active in the work of the church
FOND OF SOCIETY.
at has been said," said the reporter
| that society at the capICai VIII Gle on
with the Presidents wife unable to attent
to high social duties. Is that likely to b.
trueY
1T is not" said Mr. Mckinley
Strengthening up with the Mckinley wav
of the hand. Mrs. Mckinley is wei
enough to attend to every necessary dut,
in Washington, and many that are no
necessary. While not a brilliant woman
in a butterfly sense, she has always moves
in the highest society, and always witt
credit to herself"
"Will Mrs. Abner be much in Washing
toni"