The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1901-10-18

while the rest had to be content with
their baths. Sometimes we would all
have good luck, and the strings of fish
we would carry home suspended from
pole across our shoulders would
make the eyes of every one that passed
stick way out"
Fisher enjoyed the distinction of
having licked the future president
when boy. He and Mckinley and
another boy named Allison learned to
skate on the, same pair of skates, us
ing them in turn. After they had be-
come fairly expert, the first one to the
spot where the skates were kept used
them. Mckinley was good skater,
though he is not remembered as an ex-
pert at fancy figures. Fisher relates
the incident of the aforesaid click
ing," as follows: Gus three fellows
used to 60 down to the saw-mill yard
and play with the chips of wood.
'Bill' and Allison rather sided with
each other and picked up all the large
chips and left me the small ones. At
last 1 got disguised and pitched in
and licked both of them. 'Bill' was
about eight years old then" 1t is
said that President Mckinley as boy
was very quiet and orderly in his dis
position. The boys bent on mischief
could never enlist his help or sanction
for their "deviltry," as Fisher terms
their youthful exploits.
At the age OF Is Mr. Mckinley NOV
ed from Niles with his parents to Po-
land, O., where for a long time he
helped his father days and studied
nights. Poland once possessed not
able literary society, the Edward
Everett society. President Mckinley
was member and often served as a
judge of debates. A picture of Orator
Everett was bought and placed upon
the society walls. 1t was meant to be
an inspiration to the orators which
the society was to produce, but when
the 70 members were taxed 81 each to
pay for the painting, some of them re.
fused to be levied upon, and by action
of the society such members we're dis
missed. Mr. Mckinley paid his 81 and
took advantage of all the oratorical
inspiration which the painting furnish.
ed.
David NJ. Carey, of the editorial
force of the Detroit Free Press, was ar
early acquaintance of President Nc
Kinley. Says Mr. Carey: "Columbiana
county was the republican stronghold
in the old 18th congressional district
of Ohio, made famous through the
public career of the lamented McKin
ley, as was the adjoining district
through the achievements Of Garfield
After the late president had served as
prosecuting attorney of Stark county
he decided to stand for Congress, anG
early in his initial campaign set about
to securing to himself the overwhelm
ing party majority in Columbiana
One morning Mckinley entered my
office, and after telling who he was
though l knew him on sight, said
Squire, they tell me that you know
everybody in Columbiana county, and
particularly in the vicinity of Salem.
wish that you could give me few days
in canvassing this section | acknow-
lodged my extended acquaintance in
the community, for l had been reared
there, presided over preparatory
academy that attracted scores of pupils
from as many families, and had a weak
ness for driving over the hills of one
of the prettiest spots on the map
No cleaner man ever came to the
public view, says Mr. Carey. Even in
the heat OF a political fight he never
uttered sentiment or a sentence unfit
for publication or for use in a model
home. His self-containment was phe-
nomenal and his voice never betrayed
passion or menace. 1t ever had a
pleasing conversational tone except
when emphasis was required from the
stump. He was never bitter or unfair,
even in the secrecy of political confer
ence, clearly denoting that what many
have denoted as diplomacy was a part
of the mans nature. He would address
a dozen farmers in district school
house with the same care and detail as