Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-09-21
i TS1 WILLIAM MCKINLEY, OUR MARTYRED PRESIDENT -ST

the children could be secured elsewhere,
Accordingly he moved to Poland, and
the future president was sent to what
was known as the academy in that
town.
He stood well among his school fell
lows In all his studies, but his work In
the debating society seemed TO give an
early hint Of the eloquent oratorical
powers which later enabled him to
sway muititudes with even more ease
than at the time he swayed the school
fellows who gathered to hear the de-
bates.
At the early age of 16 he left the
Poland academy for Allegheny college
in Meadvllle. Pa. Here however, a
sudden Illness forced him to give up
his studies and TO return homo. ON
top Of this misfortune came what prac-
tically amounted TO the business fall
ure OF his father Everything was not
lest, but the family was so reduced In
circumstances that II was impracu-
cable TO send William back TO college
He was still little more than boy,
but anxious to do all In his power TO
aid in the support Of his family, he
took position as district school teach
en-, with the munihcent salary of $50
q month.
And then came the war, and the
young schoolteacher burning with
the desire to aid in the great cause Of
liberty, was one OF the first to enlist
in the army,
HOW MCKINLEY ENLISTED.
Robert p. Porter in his Life OF Will
liam Mckinley" gives this description
OF the young mans enlistment:
Poland had strong enlisting propen-
stiles. 1t was the banner township, The
boys went to the front just as soon az
the national government would take
them Polands pride today Is that she
never stood the draft. Her quota was
always full and overlooking. Said an
enthusiastic Polander to the writer:
"Of this she is rightly proud When
the warclouds had burst over our heads
Poland came to the front with more
than her share OF treasured sons as her
Offering And the preliminaries were.
as a rule, conducted at the Sparrow
House One day In June, 1861, a crowd
had gathered in this old tavern. An i'm
passioned speaker pointed TO the stars
and Stripes which hung on the wall and
exclaimed, with much expression:
"'Our country's flag has been shot at
II has been trailed In the dust by those
who should defend It, dishonored by
those who should have cherished and
loved Il, and for what? That this free
government may keep a race in the
bondage of slavery. Who Will be the
first to defend it?'
"a deadly silence reigned in that
hotel parlor. Many beating hearts
there were In the room. Many young
patriots stood there who longed TO
serve their country and yet had not
the courage 10 make the first move.
Presently space was cleared In
front OF the eloquent speaker. One by
one some OF the choicest OF the young
men OF Poland stepped forward.
Among them q slight grey eyed boyish
figure might have been observed.
TOO much impressed with the serious
ness OF the situation TO put himself in
evidence, he stepped up with the rest.
He was only boyish private then"
The company that was formed then
was carefully drilled in the few days
that II had before its departure for
camp. On the day that they left po-
land half Of the town followed them al
most TO Youngstown In their eagerness
to keep the brave boys In sight as long
as possible.
At youngstown the train was boarded
and the Journey for Camp Chase at
Columbus begun. Here company f Of
the Twenty-third Ohio regiment
pitched its tents, and among those who
lay under that scant shelter was Will
liam Mckinley. just starting on the
career that has brought him such honor
and such gratitude from a whole ma
tion.
PROMOTED FOR GALLANTRY.
McKinley's executive ability brought
him into notice almost Immediately. |
He was made commissary sergeant and |
for two years was on the staff Of Presi.