Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-17
M'KlNLEY,s FIRST SPEECH.
Made on a Dry Goods Box in New
Berlin.

Canton, O., Sept 14.-On dry
goods box four feet long, three feet
wide and three feet high, President
Mckinley made his first polltlcai
speech in the little town of New Ber-
lin away back in '65. This box stood
in front of house which has since
burned down and just inside the gate
of a wooden fence within 100 feet OF
the four corners of the business cen
ter. The man who introduced him to
his first audience lives in new brick
house, built within ten feet OF the To-
cation of the dry goods box which sup
ported the President on that memor-
able night The benches in front OF
| the postoffice, next door. furnish
resting place for the old politicians
who here gather to get their mail
daily, and talk over the most notable
event in New Berlin's history, made
notable by the achievements OF the
boy orator, Mckinley, in succeeding
! years.
Can you make speech?" said
Michael Bitter to William Mckinley
when the speaker arrived from Can
ton, ready to follow Judge underhlll
upon the improvised stage. Michael
|
ing. He is now SO years old, but he
remembers the night he introduced
Mckinley as though it were a happen
! ing of yesterday. The somewhat
unexpected remark of the chairman
of the meeting to the young man
| who was to make his debut before a
large audience, rather took his breath
away for moment, but. on the as
surance of Judge Underhill that Mi.
Bitter meant no offense, he regained
his pleasant face, showing the kind
disposition which is so characteristic
of him today.
Gould he speak,, said Michael,
well, | should say he could. Every
body was simply dumbfounded. For
nearly an hour he talked as never a
young man in Stark county had talked
before | told Judge Underhill, who
accompanied him, after the meeting,
that Mckinley did blamed sight bet
ter than he did, and the judge, too
pronounced him coming politician.
Il really was surprised when Judge
Underhill introduced that young STRIP
of a boy to me, saying that he hat
come to make Il speech in place Of
another judge. who was unable to be
present. OF course. only asked Nc
Kinley in a joke if he could make {
speech. l spoke to him much as
would to a boy. but | really did have
my doubts about such a young MAI
doing justice on the occasion" Mr.
!, Bitter introduced him as William Nc
Kinley of Canton. He little though
he was introducing the coming Presi
dent OF the United States.
Mckinley arose and looked over hi
audience. There was not sign O
the emotion on his part which usual,
) attends the first speech of a speaker
; In stature has was not portly ant
strong like he was up to the time h
: was shot. In fact, he wasn't even a
: tall
But" says Mr.. Bitter, 'as l re
member him, the same strong charat
5 teristics which have been so notable i
I his public life within the last fe'
l years stood out forcibly on tina
; night"
S He spoke under the glimmer of tn
street lighted by oil lamps, that wa
before the days of electric lights. Hi
strong personality and his kindly mar
l ner were noticed by the people {
|, New Berlin. His hearty handshakc
i his pleasant smile were all there, onl