The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-08-31
Mckinley Here.
The President Enioss His First Holiday
Since War Was Declared Against
Spain. at the Home Of HIS
Brother.
UNUSUAL DISTINCTION FoR A COUNTRY
TOWN.

UNUSUAL DISTINCTION FoR A COUNTRY
TOWN.
Twice since becoming the chief execn-
tive Of the United States has President
Mckinley fisited Somerset, an unusual
distinction for q quiet and modest little
towS like ours He visited Somerset
sew s.-.i times before he was elevated 10
the presidency, when ais presence here
created unusual local interest. not so
much on account Of the public position
he then occupied. but for the reason that
the people believed that he was destined
to fll the highest position in the gin Of
the American people. and that only 3
short time would intervene before they
could address him as '.Mr. President. :.
instead Of Major or Governor"
While the Presidents visits here hsve
been directly TO his brother Abner and
the members of his family, they have
none the less assumed general eharae-
ter and have aroused feeling of pride
in the breast OF every citizen, who sees
in his annual return 70 cur mountain
town that the President finds Somerset a
delightful place 10 spend holiday and
appreciates the beauty of cur environ
menL
The Presidents visit at the summer
home Of his brother in September last
was the occasion of weeks holiday and
pleasure, not only to the people of SOM
erset, but to thousands from the sur
rounding country who embraced the op-
portunity 70 pay their respects TO the
head of the nation and his gracious and
beautiful wife. and to discover that al
though "a divinity may hedge king"
the chief executive Of the L nited States
IS dignified. courteous gentleman, who
grasps the hand OF the humblest citizen
with as much warmth as the gloved
hand Of royalty. The President is dem
ocratic to the core Born in rural CON-
munity and growing 10 manhood in an
isolated country village. he acquired
love for the pure and quiet country home
life from which be has never departed,
except in response To the call of the
people. And when be has discharged
his official duties, or, as in the present
case, is tired and worn after his herculean
labor in conducting a successful war
against one OF the great powers Of Europe,
he seeks the first opportunity TO escape
from official drudgery and spend holi-
day in the fresh and exhilarating air of
the mountains. and day at the old home
in Canton, before returning 10 the Ma
ti0nal Capital TO resume the direction Of
affairs of state, To settle terms Of peace
with the defeated and humiliated Span
isrds and TO frame a system Of govern
ment for our recently acquired island
possessions.
HIS REST DISTURBED.
Although partially relieved Of the ex
acting and burdensome duties at Wash
ington the Presidents holiday was not
exempt from official cares, since a long
distance telephone was placed in the resi-
denoe Of his brother and direct tele-
graph line was established between the
White House and Somerset. by which
means of communication he was kept
fully informed Of all matters of important
and absorbing national and international
interest. Special Representatives of the
great New York daily papers and the
Associated Press watched closely the
Presidents every movement ia order
that they might satisfy the eager desire
of the American people for intelli gence
concerning the personal health and safety
Of their chief executive, and patiently
waited for any word he might let drop
in regard to the grave affairs at present
engaging the attention Of the civilized
world, in order thai they might be the
first to give it 10 an anxious public.
Is KEPT INFORMED.
The President is kept fully advised of
all the charges Of ineflicieney being
brought against the qnartersnasters',
commissary and medical departments of
the army, and wnen the time arrives for
him 70 interfere he viii do so in no un-
certain way, bat viii take the people into
his confidence in the same generous
manner that be has shared it with them
since war was declared against Spain,
aud which::has caused the world 10 wonder
at his candDr and the reliance he places
in the people -disarning criticism by
sharing responsibility with his constisu-
ents.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley ex-
pressed themselves as being delighted
with their short soj7urn in Somerset and
were relEctant to depart. but previous
engagements made it imperative that
they should do 50 at II O'Clock Monday
morning.
ARRIVAL or THE PRESIDENT.
The special train OF three magnificent
P0llman coaches and a baggage ear car
rying the Presidential party arrived here
at $50 o'clock Saturday evening. The
Tarty was composed of the President and
Mrs. Mckinley, Mr.. and Mrs. Wilbur
Endsley, OF Johnstown, Major Webb
Hayes. son OF the ex President. who was
picked up IN the railroad station at
Washington, on his return from PORTO
Rico 10 his home in Ohio. ard who was
burned brown as berry blythe tropical
sun, Assistant Secretary George d. Cor
telyou, the White House Steward and
Mrs. McKinley's maid. Conductor
Billy Waite was in charge OF the train
and Engineer George Ridenour was on
the engine.
Mr. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley met
the special at Johnstown. where it was
transferred from the Pennsylvania TO ths
Baltimore and Ohio railroad tracks and
accompanied their distinguished guests
70 Somerset
Several thousand people were at the
station when the train arrived and as
soon as il came to standstill Mayor J.
II. Pisel and the members OF the city
council entered the Presidents car and
formally welcomed hiei to this mountain
town When the car door was opened
the dis.inguiShed visitors realized that
they hai reached one Of the most elevat-
ed points on ths Ailegh eny m )uniains.
The President hurriedly pu. on his over
o0at while one OF the ladies Of the party
threw a wrap over Mrs MsKinley's
shoulders. When they stepped ont into
the cool. braoing air. the crowd gave
them an enthusiasts ovation.
As soon Is the police had cleared
passageway the President aud his wife
were placed in carriage aud hurriedly
driven To the Mckinley residence by
their niece. Miss Mabel Mckinley. After
the other members Of the party were