The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-16
LITTLE HOPE
Cconcludec From sixth Page.1


that the lady had the heart to carry out
her plans If she did, am sure that her
conscience must have reminded her Of
what The First Lady of the Land
thought of wives who put the sea be-
tween themselves and their families
Verify the domestic felicity of the presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley demonstrate
that there exists in this world Of in
one
she is fastidiouslv neat and partic-
ular about everything she does and what
she wears. Perhaps no other lady in the
White House has been so uniformly well
mo matter at what hour you see her,
she is always exquisitely gowned for
that hour. She rises very early and
spends long time in making her toilet
because Of her dainty painstalxing-
Her breakfast is served to her and
she then usually sits for a long time at
the west window in the rear hall on the
second floor, which has been converted
into a bright sitting room by the addi~
ton of easy chairs, flowers, bird cages,
her work table, the morning papers, new
magazines and everything that suggests
coziness and refinement The rest of her
day is spent in making other people
happy"
MORE ABOUT THE DISTINGUISHED
LADY.
Mrs. McKinley.s father. James A.
Saxton. was a prominent and prosperous
man of affairs. Her grandfather was
Jonn SaxtOns soldier or the war OF
1872; her great grandfather was a sol
der in the Revolution. John Saxton
was the founder and editor of the Ohio
Repository. His period of active duty
had this curious measure: he establish
ed his journal in March. 1916, three
months before the Battle of Waterloo
and he remained in his editorial chair
until 1871, one year after the Battle of
Sedan. Mrs. McKinley's mothers
maiden name was Dewalt. her grand
father on that side coming from Ger
many, says Mary *. Hartzeu in an ar
ticle published in HarperS Bazaar some
time ago.
Ida Saxton's school days eliminated in
a tour through foreign countries, made
by her and few companions. under
the guidance or q person or experience.
During her preparatory years she at
tended Institutions at Cleveland, Ohio
and Delhi. New York
She graduated from Brook Hall SEM
mary, Media. Pa in 1863 She was apt
and thorough in study, and in her circle
had no equal as a lively and piquant
narrator Of observation and opinion.
Having been thus favored by oppor-
tunity, and being a girl of unusual per-
sonal beauty and attractiveness. it
easily followed that Ida Saxton became
a very interesting factor in the social
life Of Canton.
It would be unjust to omit mention of
her family influences and training as
helpful character builders for Ida Sax
ton. Her mother and her Grandmother
Dewalt. who was part of the family
until Ida reached WOnanhOod, were
notable housekeepers. It was a family
in which good housekeeping prevailed,
and in which the maternal influences
forced the observance of strictest pro-
priety. The family was Presbyterian
in faith. Ida was a member of that
church. but subsequently transferred
her membership to the Methodist de-
nomination and the change came
about in this way.
Tv TOT TIL T,o
came resident of Canton He was born
and reared in an adjoining county. Dur
ing the whole war he was a soldier, en-
listing as a private and graduating as a
major. After the war he spent two
years in fitting himself for the profess
sion of law. With this creditable record
behind him, he was yet only a years of
age. Major Mckinley was the superin-
tendent of the Methodist Sunday school;
Miss SaxtOn was a teacher in the Pres
byterian Sunday school In going back
and forth to their schools their ways
crossed. Very often chance brought
them together, and they fingered to talk
One day the major said ''I am tired OF
these partings here-you going one way
and another way. I think hereafter
we should both go the same way togeth-
err II think so too' was the ready
reply. The wedding took place January
25, 1871, and was notable event, for
both parties to it We're pronounced IA
vorites with everybody.
That was more than a quarter of a
century ago. In fact, the silver we'd
ding anniversary was celebrated in
January, 1896, and in the same house in
which Major and Ms. Mckinley began
housekeeping after their maria ge.
During most of these vears-since 1876
Major Mckinley has been conspicu-
Ously before the public, first as member
of congress, then as governor of Ohio,
and now as the president of the United
States Notwithstanding the rapid adj
vancement of Governor Mckinley in
public esteem, the experiences of this
decided tnge of sadness.
The future seemed rosy with the prom
wish but there came bereavement and
the great bodily affection on one side
You'd the power of words the other.
During the first four years of Mrs. Mo
duent visits. bearing fsf Sss' those who
were most near and dear to her First
mother Dewalt and her Grandfather Sax
ton, in whose near eompanionshiD she
their marriage heavens most precious
gift to young parents was intrusted to
Grandmother Saxton- A year. later came
another child. who took its mothers
with her, the mothers cup of happiness
would have been filled to oYerhoW1ng. But
eyrievouS trials awaited her. In March,
1873, mother died. three months later little
~ a tWelvemonth had elapsed when her
first-born was laid to rest beside the baby
sister
REMARKABLE DEVOTION.
The delicate nervous organization Of
Mrs. Mckinley succumbed to these sue
cessiVe shocks For months her life
hung by a thread. Complete recovery
was impossible, and during twenty years
she did not walk without assistance.
That she was restored to comparative
health. strength, and the enjoyments of
life is due to the heroic and persistent
efforts of one who loved and wrought
with that self-sacrificing zeal which VIII
not be denied. During Major Mckin-
ley's fourteen years in congress and his
four years of gOvernorship his wife was
constantly with him. She lives, she
him. and most nobly he has proved his i
worthiness of a trust so sacred.