Evening star., 1897-03-04

Mrs. Mckinley.
tory. and its chief until ISL James Saxton
ard his wife, Miss Kate Dewalt whose
parents were also early Canton settlers,
were among the prominent people of their
section. He died in 1887, and his wife in
1"73. Mr.. Saxton was engaged for many
years in banking and commercial enter
prises, and was regarded as one of the
most influential men in his section. Their
home was the rendezvous of cultured peo-
pie and one of the leading social centers.
1t was with surroundings such as these
that their three children, George, Ida (now
Mrs. Mckinley and Mary b. NOW Mrs.
Marshall Berber), grew to manhood and
wcmanhoed. The Saxtons lived in liberal
style. Their daughters went to the city
school. Miss Ida was an apt pupil. and
her rapid advancement suggested the ad-
vantages 10 be secured better away from
the home city. She attended private
school at Delhi, N. Y, later one in Cleve-
lard, and finally spent three years at
college at Media, Pa. In the summer of
1869 she went with party of young
ladies. among whom was her sister Mary,
| for trip to Europe. Returning to Canton.
Miss SaXton enjoyed the pleasant social
life which came naturally to her as
beautiful and interesting girl, and the
daughter Of one of the wealthiest and most
| Influential men Of the town. The Stark
County Bank, Of which her father was
president, offered her chance to learn
practical business methods. 1t was his de-
sire that his daughters should be so edu-
Gated that If it was necessary for them to
earn their livelihood. they would be amply
equipped by solid instruction. She worked,
off and on, at the bank for several years as
cashier. OF the time when her acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Mckinley commenced the
most veracious chroniclers have not set the
date. 1t was Identical, however, with her
| fathers knowledge of and regard for the
future President of the United States. and
when the young couple asked the consent
| and blessing of Mr.. Saxton, neither was
withheld at that period.
Two Paths Become One.
Mr.. Mckinley was the superintendent of
the Sunday school of the First Methodist
Church, which he still attenGs, and Miss
Saxton a teacher in the Bible class of the
| First Presby yterian Church. 1t is recorded
| that often on their way to their duties
| Sundays the young people would pass a
certain corner, rarely, however, without
stopping for little chat. This kept on
for long time until one memorable day
the future Napoleon of Ohio politics made
| master stroke by gently insinuating that
| he did not like their separation every Sun
day. and suggested that for the future they
this was the exact form of the proposal
matters very little, for after that they
| did both go the same way.
Their marriage took place on the 25th of
"
| at Canton, which was then newly COM
| pleted. Since her marriage Mrs. McKin-
ley has attended the Methodist Church
with her husband. After a tour of the
eastern cities Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley set
up housekeeping at Canton, in the house
which has been since their home, and
which was her fathers wedding gift to her.
Two Two children shilds I've were born to them The
mother, born Christmas day, 1872, lived
| till June. 1876, just three years and half
The second. named Ida, for her mother,
/ lived only five months. Around this period
| Mrs. Mckinley also suffered the loss of
ner mother. grandmother and grandfather
| and her partings from these loved ones,
| with the deaths of her children. broke
down constitution which had never been
robust. For many months her own life
| hung by a slender thread, and her nervous
system seemed for a time to have suffe4ed
| oompl0e wreck.
1ncessant Helpfulness.
Mrs. Mckinley was an invalid when she
| came to Washington With her husband and
| took no part whatever in public or social
| life. Their rooms at the Ebbitt were the
| rendezvous Of Mr.. McKinley's political and
| social friends. and when her health per-
| mitted, Mrs. Mckinley took pleasure in
| meeting them
OF Mr.. McKinley's devotion to his wife
| there are few parallels. During their resi-
dence here 1t kept him SO completely at
l
[ public matters. that he had no time, IL he
had any taste, for the demands of social
| life. He nad the temperament to enjoy
general society, and his prominence made
| him always much sought after, but the
| companionship of mis- wife, their reading
| and her perfect understanding and CO.
| operation in all his ambitions and projects
! were all he desired. She takes great pleas
| ure in travelling and has always been will
| ing to accompany her husband.
| MIS-. McKinley's belief in her husband
that he would one day secure the prize of
| the presidency long since assumed the
power Of prediction. During the cam
paign preceding the nomination. as well
| as that which preceded his election, Mrs.
| Mckinley kept herself by everyday talks
with her husband abreast of the situation,
| and then as ever. she was his constant sup
port, aid and inspiration. 1t Is said that
| when the first political advantages were
| offered to her husband ii was her enthu-
\ siastic encouragement which induced him
| to accept.
Losing their only children has made
| them love not only the children among
their relatives. but they are attracted by
| every child they meet. Two little rocking
chairs have long adorned the parlor at
their Canton home. One was Mrs. Nc
| Kinley's own, the other was her baby
| daughter's-little Kate's. Children have
| always been welcome visitors to her home
/ and these chairs have had many occupants.
Of flowers, and this love she will be able to
| abundantly crafty in the White House
| Conservatives and gardens.
| Notwithstanding her delicate health, Mrs.
Mckinley has always enjoyed visitors at
her home, and entertains admirably. When
able she would walk about the house
and verandas, and, assisted to her carriage,
has always enjoyed. driving. She is very
fond of fancy work. knitting and crochet
ing, and some one has estimated that she
has made 5000 pairs of slippers. which
have given ease to many weary feet. She
has always made q point of presenting
these to her friends. Ill health and her in
ability to take active exercise have given her
q delicate appearance. but she has not lost
the beauty and comeliness Of her girlhood.
She stands five feet four, and weighs about
135 pounds. She has always dressed SIM