The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-07
HOW MACK WAS
KNOCKED OUT.
A Niles Man and Mckinley Bat
tied When they We're Boys.
BILL KEPT ON FISHING.

Old Chum Talks Of the President in His
Youthful Dsys-Bis Chum IL
Now Constable at
Niles.
youngstown Vindicator: Inasmuch
as President Mckinley was born in
Niles, that he had lived for some years
in Poland and has a number of person
an friends in this city, the following
from the Warren Tribune, will be read
with interest and enjoyed:
The story of President Mckinley as q
successful fisherman, a skater, q black
berry picker, as a playmate and Of the
boy who licked" him when he was
eight years old, Is told as follows by
Frank Mcclure, of Ashtabula, who
visited Niles recently. Niles is McKin-
ley's birthplace. The house in which he
was born has recently been cut in two
and the section which includes the room
Of his birth has been moved a mile
away, to pretty spot, known to the
people of Niles as Riverside Park.
This half Of the house has been newly
sided-up and is occupied by James
Names and family. This house has
been the victim Of relic hunters. The
room in which Mr.. Mckinley was born
bears the marks Of pen knives on all
sides.
Joe Fisher is the constable, the truant
officer, and an old soldier. There"
said he, as he pointed the small end Of
his corn cob pipe to red colored build
ing across the street "is the old school
in which BIZ and learned our A b C's.
Bill" is now president, but he hasn't
forgotten Joe Fisher. / never asked
him for an office, for l don't believe in
that sort Of thing, but If l ever happen
to be where Mckinley is he throws his
arm around me and gives my hand such
shake as brings back the days when
three of us boys We're chums, Bill, Mr.
Allison and Joe Fisher"
THE RED BUILDING
referred to by Mr.. Fisher as the school
house is now occupied by q marble and
granite company, and is situated on the
main street Of the town. Just to the
rear of its present location once stood
the blackberry bushes, which Mckinley
as boy used to visit with his compan-
ions, the blackberry pals suspended in
front Of them at a convenient height
for picking.
Il declare never thought Bill would
be president" continued Joe Fisher.
Little did suppose, as 1 sat fishing
with him on Mosquito creek that was
with a coming president. well re-
member his patience with the hook and
line. The rest Of The boys would get
disgusted at not getting bite and
would go. in bathing, but Bill would
keep on fishing. When It came time to
go home he would carry a string of fish,
while the rest had to be content with
their baths"
One Of the blacksmiths made the
pair Of skates on which Mckinley
learned to skate. Ice skates could not
be purchased in the stores of Niles at
that time. They We're as much Of a
luxury as diamonds are today. Allison,
Mckinley and Fisher all learned to
skate on the. same pair of skates. They
took turns at using them. After they
had learned the first one on the spot
where the skates were kept used them
| first in accordance with the maxim
first come, first served" which was in
as common usage then as today. Mr..
Mckinley was good skater. although
he is not remembered as having at
tempted to cut any fancy figures
HE LICKED MACK"
The three chums before mentioned,
living within a stones throw of each
other, right in what is today the center
Of the town. They were always to-
gether. AS playmate, Mckinley was
very quiet in disposition. The boys
bent on mischievousness could never
enlist his help or santion. He would
not participate in any "deviltry" as Mr.
Fisher puts it.
The Allison referred to is now in
business in Cleveland. "Us three boys
used to go down to the sawmill yard
and play with the chips of wood" said
Joe Fisher. 'Bill' and Allison rather
sided with each other and picked ur
all the large chips and left me the
small ones. At last l got Disguised
and pitched in and licked both CT them
Bill was about eight years old then.
l