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

A funny story is told of the presi-
dents experience at Oberlin, O., which
has the reputation of being one of the
most puritanical towns in the country.
Mr. Mckinley was then candidate for
governor, and'while at Oberlin was the
guest of James Monroe, an ex-congress-
man, a professor of political economy
and fine old gentleman. After din
ner Mr. Mckinley intimated that he
would like to smoke cigar. Prof
Monroe was somewhat startled. Smok-
ing was tabOoed at Oberlin, and the
few men who used tobacco were looked
upon with suspicion. Therefore by
acceding to Mr. McKinley's request,
Prof Monroe was risking in: a measure
his reputation. However, the instinct
of hospitality overcome the prompt
ings of prudence, and, leading the ma
jor through the hall, Prof Monroe took
him to the back piazza, where he was
screened from the public view. The
major seated himself comfortably, and
lighting his cigar looked first to this
side and then to the other. Prof Mon
roe noticed that something was lack
ing and then apologetically brought
him coal-hod. Some days after this
Mr. Mckinley was at Canal Dover, o.,
where there are pottery works. He
related his experience to friend, and
asked him to send some cuSpidOrs to
Prof Monroe. The next time Mr. Nc
Kinley visited Oberlin Prof Monroe
had laid in a stock of choice Havanas.
Major" said the professor, "soon af-
ter you left some one sent me two
dozen handsome cuspidors. OF course,
I had no use for them as cuspidors and
so gave them to my wife for use as
flower pots around the yard"
DIR Mark L. Nardyz of Kansas City
knew PRECEDENT Mckinley in the civil
war. DR. Nardyz was know to Maj Nc
Kinley, Gen Grant and Gen Mead as
the "Flying Dutchman," although he
was an italian and had been surgeon
in the Italian army. In the civil war
he served as surgeon in the 39th New
York volunteers, made up largely of
Italians, and la ter with the 10th Penn
which was brigaded with the Both
Ohio, in which Maj Mckinley served
at Gettysburg. Says DR. Nardyz: ''Maj
McKinley's name is always associated
in my mind with Gettysburg and
magnificent charge on stone wall in
hollow before Cemetery hill. There
is where the young, smooth major SHOW
ed the true qualities of a soldier, and
the men who were alive after that
charge felt new regard andincreased
respect for the man who did not swear
or drink, but was as cool and collected
as the oldest veteran. Col Keppler
was in command of the Ohio regiment,
but Maj Mckinley, it seemed, assum-
ed the special duty Of looking after the
condition Of the men. He was an ide-
al officer, calm always and kindly in
his manner. The first real battle Nc
Kinley's regiment was in was at An
tietam, but for some reason it was held
in reserve and did not get much to do.
This disappointed the future presi-
dent. But his turn.soon came Our
corps became part of Mead s army sent
to check Lee, who was threatening to
invade Pennsylvania. The history of
the battle of Gettysburg is well known
but the part Of it which l remember
most of was the attack of the left wing
of which our brigade formed a part.
[ can see the stone wall in the hollow
behind which the confederate lay.
The order came to charge, and then
the roar was terrific. Sheets of flame
came from behind the wall, but our
men got over it. Smoke was every
where, and through it occasionally could
be seen the calm, set face of the boy
like major. No excitement or agita-
ton was visible in those features. He
was always the same. Col Keppler was
killed, and Maj Mckinley took COM
mand of what was left of the Seth Ohio
volunteers. That was not much. The
men came from around Canton, Niles
and Cleveland and many of them fell.
This was where Mckinley won special
mention for bravery. He became
known as one of the most distinguish