The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-07

f1ying so fast about him.
Major Hayes noticed the young man
with admiring eyes. While recovering
from his wounds, he called upon Gov
ernor Todd. Of Ohio. and told him OF
the incident. Tie governor immedi-
ately ordered the promotion OF Ser
geant Mckinley. and ordered further
that the promotion should be placed
upon the roster of the company.
Step by step after that the young
man won his way up until three
months before he was mustered out ne
was made major by brevet "for gallant
and meritorious service 1t the battle
OF Opequan, Cedar Creek ana Fishers
HILL"
His commission is signed "a. 1.In-
coin"
SAVED THE DAY.
At the battle Of opeauan, Mckinley.
then a captain, won the regard and
respect Of all those who saw him. One
of the men present has written the fol-
lowing description:
1.-The Twenty-thIrd Ohio took q con-
spicuous part in this battle and the
brigade and division to which Mckin-
ley belonged made a most gallant
charge across IL morass. General Hayes
led this charge and Mckinley was on
Hayes staff.
Crooks corps. to which Mckinley
belonged. was held in reserve. The
battle opened with the Sixth and Nine
teenth corps.
"a dreadful crash and slaughter oc-
CURED. The Union lines were driven
back and Crook, by direction of Sheri-
dan, sent for his reserve to come up.
Every staff officer had been sent to
hurry them. Mckinley was the last
one left with Crook.
Both Crook and Sheridan said, cap
tain Mckinley, for Gods sake go back
| and bring those troops up
Mckinley found on his way back
that the pike over which the First
division had come up was strewn with
horses, broken caissons and dsmantlcd
artillery and tina. it was obstructed to
such an extent that it was jmpractic-
able TOR troops to travel over It.
"He found the First division slowly
but as rapidly as 1t could, picking its
way to the front. Knowing the i'm.
rortancc Of their presence. he advised
the First division to make haste, and
then he Went to the Second division,
commanded by General Isaac H. Duval.
conditions at the front and the abso-
lutte necessity Of the troops getting
there at once, and he also explained
the difficulty OF getting up the pike
and suggested 10 General DMvai that
there was dirt road running up to
the pike that would enable the divi-
sion to get to the front promptly, ana
would probably assist IN saving the
dav.
On Mckinley asking General Duvai
il he would take the dirt road. the
general answered that he had not
been commanded to do so by General
Crook.
Eye witnesses to the incident say
that Captain Mckinley rose straight
UP in his saddle and said:
"Then by command OF General Crook
I command you"
1t was that promptness which saved
the day.
PROUD OF WAR TITLE.
President Mckinley is justly proud
of his war title. . Shortly after his
election to the presidency, an old Ohio
farmer, who has known him for years,
called to pay his respects"
II don't know just what to call you
know, major" he said. you used to
be just Major Mckinley. then you
were Lawyer Mckinley, then you We're
Congressman Mckinley. then you were
Governor Mckinley and now you are
president-elect Mckinley, but you are
not president yet"
Mr.. Mckinley shook ihim warmly by
the hand and said: "YOu must still
called me Major Mckinley. for I won
that title. These other titles are only
temporary"
AFTER THE WAR.
After this honorable career as a SOL
dier Major Mckinley returned to Po-
land and read law in the office of
Charles +. Glidden, judge of the
common pleas court. Judge Glidden
was remarkable young man. very
little over 80. and his influence, not
only as u teacher, but as beloved
companion. was most potent in shap-
ing the career of the young law stu
dent in his office
Major Mckinley studied for a year
and half in Poland and then attend
ell course of lectures 1T the Albany
Law School until, in 1857 he was ad-
mitted to the bar.
He saw then that Poland was too
small 8 town to support another law
yer. In casting about for a place in
which TO settle 1T was very largely his
desire to be near his sister Annie that
led him to Canton.
Here the young man hung out his
shingle and began his career in law
and politics. Stark county. Of which
Canton was the seat. was the strong
hold OF bigoted Jacksonian Democ-
racy.
The bitter gubernatorial campaign
than in any other part Of Ohio.
Not only did the Republicans have
10 fight for themselves against this
Democracy. but It was their task tn
carry TO victory the constitutional
amendment which would give suffrage
to the negro race.
FIRST POLITICAL. SPEECH.
During the campaign President Nc
Einlsy made his first political speech.
Then, AS now. he stood strongly sor
RepMblicanisnl and cor universal free-
dom. The scene OF his first oratorical
effort was the little village of New
Berlin.
His rostrum was the steps OF, the
tavern. his audience was Il group of
hard-headed. narrow minded farmers,
his plea was for cause that was de-
spised among them. his efforts met
with no success.
But from then OIL lis became one OF
the regular speakers IN Republican
runnoipns In tba nrsSiianfial auIn-