The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-02
The Former Associate of the
Dead President in Congress
Tells of the Character of the
Man He Knew Well
ADDRESS GIVEN AT
MAIN STREET CHURCH
Close Relations With the Man
Nhom the Nation Called Its
Chief Strengthened the Verdict
the People Generally Had
Formed of His Qualities

A number of members of Main Street
Baptist Church met last night in the
vestry Of the church to hear ex-Con-
gresham Joseph H. Walker speak on
Mckinley and Roosevelt. 1t was a
very pleasant gathering with no formal
ity. In Difference to the wish of Mr.
Walker it had not been advertised, still
the vestry was filled and chairs had to
be brought in.
Mr. Walker was an intimate friend of
the late President and what he had to
say was listened to most attentively
with the feeling that it came from one
who knew.
Rev. Leo Boone Thomas introduced
Mr.. Walker in a brief speech explain
ing the reason for the meeting.
Mr.. Walker said in part:
THE man of whom l am to speak to
you was a very remarkable man.
am quite sure that sober history will
give him a far higher place than any
one has thought to give him during the
last few weeks even. He was one of
those men in whom no one thing stood
out prominently, so that you could say
he was pre-eminent in that one thing
and in nothing else. He was a man of
the order of George Washington, SYM
metrical, we'll rounded, quiet, strong,
persistent, one who knew no obligation
but that of duty.
Mr.. Walker sketched briefly William
McKinley's early life. Referring to the
fact that his parents moved from Niles
to Poland, in order to give their nine
children a better education. Mr.. Wal
ker noted that the same cause had
brought to Worcester many of its best
families. Mr.. Walker said that his
father refused an advantageous offer to
another city in order to come to Wor-
ceSteI to educate his children.
He continued: There was nothing
remarkable about the boy, Mckinley.
He was thought to be a sober minded
boy, and was always a favorite in the
community His seriousness of mind
is shown by his joining a literary and
debating society as soon as he was old
enough. Above all, when at IS years
of age he said l will do the best I can
to serve God. 1, will join the
Methodist Church, that I may have the
assistance of all those, who like my
self, are trying to live right lives"
Then came the call of the country to
It's sons to save the union from dis
memberment. John c.. Fremont, of
whose romantic and exciting career 1
used to read with interest when a boy,
teers. l can remember how the eyes
of my friend Mckinley used to glisten
when he told how Fremont thumped
him on the back, and pulled him about
and finally announced that he was
physically fit to be soldier at 16 years
months and Is days of age. His moth
er's reluctance to let him go was finally
overruled by her knowledge that where
ever he was and whether or no he sur
Vived, he would ever do the right
In the war he distinguished himself
marvelously, though his attainments in
other respects have been so great as
to have overshadowed his war record
Enlisting as private his promptness
and devotion to duty soon raised him
to the rank of corporal. then sergeant
lieutenant, captain, and finally brevet
major. He soon attracted the atten-
tion of his commanders and was put on
the staff of the then Col. Hayes, after
ward general and president.
"At the battle of Winchester when
our troops had been forced back one
regiment stayed at the front until its
position became untenable and it was
about to be either destroyed or cap
tured Col. Hayes saw the predicament
and called upon Mckinley to bring the
regiment back. 1t was such a danger
Gus errand that Col. Hayes turned his
back on Mckinley as he gave the or
I66lnGS
"When Mckinley returned safe, Col
Hayes said to him: Mckinley,
thought 1 should never see you again.
This shows the stuff the man wa:
made Of He was no braggart, and NJ
man to push himself forward, but one
who would accept any position o.
power, duty or work that was Offered
him.
"As quartermaster at Antietam HI
did what is rarely done-served coffe,
and meats to his men during a lull il
the battle. He was never Sinking
but was always ready to discharg,
more than his duty. This boy was il
10 battles, to say nothing of Skin
mishes. The regard in which he wal
held by his comrades is shown by thu
fact that at the welcome which wa!
extended to the soldiers returning a
the end of the war he was selected
above all others to reply to the orator
of the day.
"As a man just q years of age h,
took up his studies again. Poor healtl
and lack of money prevented hin
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