The Republican journal., 1901-09-19
President Mckinley, a
Martyred.

President William Mckinley, who was
shot by Leon Czolgosz, in Music Hall on
the Pan-American Exposition grounds,
while holding a reception Sept 9Th, died at
Mr.. John c. Milburn. Medical skill was
unavailing to prolong the struggle. The
end came very peacefully and he had been
unconscious from 7.30 O'Clock. His last con-
scious hour was spent with his devoted
wife and his last words were addressed to
way. His will be done!" The nations dy-
ing chief passed away reconciled to death,
calm and composed. His relatives and
most of his official friends were at the Mil
burn house. Mrs. Mckinley went through
the trying scene with the same bravery and
fortitude with which she had borne the
grief Of the tragedy which ended his life
All true hearts bleed for her in sorrow. His
devotion to his wife had won the love of
women and the respect of men. Once he
brought her back even from the very gates
of death. She suffered severe attack dur
ing his absence and he was summoned to
the chamber where she lay unconscious
with breath just tickering. He knelt by
the bedside, clasped her hand and repeated
over and over again: Ida, am here. Come
back to me- until the eyes opened slowly
and she came back to life.
He was honest. honorable and just. His
best efforts and thoughts were for others.
were preparing to examine him, the Presi-
dent said somewhat abruptly: elbow are
the people all over the country taking it ?''
Then he quickly added, in most impress
sive and distinct voice: 81 sincerely hope
that nothing, that happens to me will distress
the people of our country"
Not since the time of Lincoln has presi-
dent been called to face such difficult prob
lens, and like Lincoln the aSSaSSin'S hand
ended his life. 1t is best that the law take
its course, but there is a universal feeling
of sadness combined with feeling of deep
seated and steadily growing hostility to the
teachings that permitted the deed.
William Mckinley was born at Niles,
Trumbull county, O., January o. 1913. His
father, who at this time was manager of an
iron furnace at Niles, was a man of the
highest character and ability. The family
moved to Poland, because of the education
al advantages of Poland academy and sub
sequently to Canton, where, November "A,
1892, the father died.
In the village of Poland, where William
Mckinley, ST., moved to give his family ed
ucational advantages, life was quiet until
the war broke out. Youths like Mckinley
were obliged to study hard and not infre-
quently do odd jobs to help earn money for
books and tuition AS they advanced into
professions, it was often necessary to teach
school, clerk in store, work on farm or
take some other occupation during vacation.
The Mckinley family never hesitated to do
this, and as a result all were equipped with
good educations, two of the sisters became
excellent teachers and William himself
taught one term of winter school in what
was then called the Kerr district.
In 1859, when he was hardly 16, he united
with the Methodist Episcopal church of
Poland; Before he WAS IS Mckinley had
| enlisted for the war. His regiment was the
| Twenty third Ohio, This regiment was
made up of a superior class of men whose
| families were largely of New England ori-
| gin. 1t contained within its ranks those
who could fill the most difficult stations in a
complex social organization. They were
! soldiers who endured hardships with pa
tience and good humor; who fought stub
| bornly and fearlessly, but intelligently, and,
| of course, effectively.
| The first colonel was W. S. Rosecrans, a
| captain whose renown is now worldwide.
| The first lieutenant-colonel, Stanley Mat
thews, was afterwards senator from Ohio
and justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States. The first major was Ruther-
ford B. Hayes, afterward a general of great
ability, thrice governor Of Ohio, and Presi-
dent of the United States.
| William Mckinley, Jr., won promotion
on his merits as soldier, and not by family
or political influence, first to commisSary ser
geant, then TO second lieutenant for gal
lantry in action at the battle of Antietam
on the recommendation of his colonel, and
so on step by step, until, at the close of the
war, he was promoted to major by brevet
Soon after his appointment as second lieu.
tenant, he was detailed on the staff of Col
Hayes in 1862, and his subsequent service
was as staff officer with Gems. Hayes
Cook, Sheridan and Hancock.
After his military career he returned to
Ohio and entered civil life at the age of %
1t was claimed by some that his four years
uIy h lCfn nf
life, and that but for his fathers opposition
he might have entered the regular army, as
General Carroll desired him to do. On the
other hand, those who knew him best il
the army declare that he was always a
candidate for literary and economic study
1t is even said that when the army was il
winter quarters, debating societies were or
ganized and that Mckinley took part in
these debates. However this may be, OF
his return to Poland, Mckinley decided tt
choose civil life, and began the study of Law
with Judge Charles E. Gildden of Mahon
ing county and took a course in the ALBANY
On, ~ law school, and in 1867 was admitted
to the bar. In comparatively few year.
after he began his practice the people O
Canton recognized in him man with
future and elected him prosecuting attorney
of Stark county.
1t is said by some that as the county was
hopelessly Democratic at the time the Re
publican nomination was rendered th'
young lawyer as an empty honor. McKinle!
could not have looked upon it in this light
for he at once took the stump, entered Wig
0r0uSly into the political campaign, and, t
the great surprise of those who had regard
ed his fight as hopeless, was elected. Ii
this contest he first evinced his superb abil.
ity as successful campaigner.
In the capacity of prosecuting attorney
Mckinley had opportunity for displaying
was soon regarded as an excellent advocate
His exactitude of thought, his precision il
expression, his eafnestness of manner ant
the moral force which he seemed to put int
al! cases, won for him the respect and ad
miratiOn of the Stark county bar.
Mckinley was first elected in congress il
1876 and for IA years he remained there