St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-12-17
Presidents rlOther Dead.

At two o'clock Sunday Mrs. Nancy AL
lison Mckinley, mother of President Nc
Kinley, passed away. All the members
of the family were about the bedside
when the end came. President Mckinley
remained on watch all Saturday night
as he had done on previous nights. The
watch was one oflove and the president
could not be induced to leave the bedside
at the midnight hour. He was very tired
from his vigil of many days but said he
preferred to watch.
The end was almost imperceptible.
There was no struggle. The aged woman
lay unconscious, as she had lain for sew
eral days, until 2 o'clock, and then her
spirit left her body. She seemed to sleep
her life away. Death was due to a gen.
era breaking down of the powers. DR..
Phillips saws her vocal chords were par
alyzed. and the gastric nerves were so
affected that nourishment could not be
received or sustained.
The funeral of Mrs. Mckinley was held
Tuesday afternoon in the First Metho-
dist Episcopal church, in which she had
been faithful member. The services
we're conducted by the pastor of the
church. the Rev. DR.. c. E. Manchester, a
former comrade-in arms OF President Nc
Kinley. He invited all the preachers and
priests of the city to be present and ex-
press sentiments. "Mother" Mckinley S
body was laid in tomb beside that of
her husband. and near the tomb OF the
two children OF the president.
The mother of President Mckinley was
born in 1908, maiden name being Nancy
Campbell Allison. She was of Puritan
stock. In 1927 she was married to Viii.
liam Mckinley, Sr., at Niles, in Trumbull
county, Ohio, where her husband was
manager of an iron foundry. He was de-
scended from Scotch Irish family His
great.grandfather on his fathers side,
was soldier of the Pennsylvania line in
the revolutionary war. To them were
born eight children, one of whom, who
came Jan. 20, 1913, at Niles, now the
president of the United States.
This marriage was an exceptionally
happy one. Mrs. Mckinley possessed a
remarkable character. Everybody loved
and respected her, and her long life had
been one of peace, unity and love. In her
latter days she had lived within half a
mile of her distinguished sons residence
at Canton. He was in the habit OF visit
ing her each day when at home. In her
sSth year, during the presidential cam.
paign, she took lively interest in every
thing relating to it, and was often pres.
emit at the reception OF the thousands of
visitors who came to Canton.
Shortly after her sons election to the
presidency she wrote a sketch Of his life.
IL don't think that my bringing up had
so very much to do with making my son
William president OF the United States.
did the best could, OF course, but |
had six children, and had all my own
work to do. So couldn't devote all my
time to him. William was naturally a
good boy. He wasn't particularly
good baby. He cried good deal. He
was very bright and began to take no.
tice' very young He was healthy boy.
1--WE were Methodists, though we never
went to the extent OF curbing the inno-
cent sports of the children. brought up
all my children to understand that they
must study and improve their minds.
NV ideas Of an education were wholly
practical. put the children into school
Just as early as they could go alone to
the teacher, and then kept them at it, |
didn't allow them to stay away. AS
you may imagine, had little time for
their studies though | kept track OF their
work in general way through the re-
ports OF the teachers. did most of my
own work, except the washing and IRON
ing, and made nearly all the children's
clothes, but saw that the children were
up in the morning, had breakfast and
we're promptly ready for school. That
was the way five days OF the week began
tor me. Ours was a hard-earned life.
NV husband was always an early riser
and off to his work. AT Poland he was
away from home most of the time, and
the whole burden of the care fell on me-"
In the case of Evangelna Cisneros
Mother Mckinley was the first woman
in Canton to sign the petition to the
Queen regent of Spain for the girls re-
lease.
Notwithstanding her great age, she
took q great interest in the career OF her
son. On the occasion of the inaugural
festivities she was one of the most no
ticed OF the presidential party, attending
even the ball. and receiving the attentions
bestowed upon her with the grace and
dignity of young woman.