The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-09-19
KNEW M'kINLEY.
Personal Acquaintance of oska-
loosans With President.

oskaloosa people have felt that
they have been especially near to
President Mckinley on account of
the personal acquaintance Of several
of the citizens with the chief execu-
| tive.
Mrs. Harriet Walton wife of ID. M.
Walton, No. 313 South Market street,
knew the gentleman personally and
was more or less associated with him
during residence of ten years at
Canton, Ohio, the home of the deceas-
ed president. Mr.. Mckinley part
of this time resided but few steps
distant from the Alexander home,
and there were relations of an init
mate and pleasant nature between
the families, even to the extent of
morning calls across lots"
Mrs. Walton, then Miss Harriet
Alexander was attending school in
Canton and was more or less associat-
ed with sister of the deceased, Anna
Mckinley, who was an instructor in
the school. The lady met Mr.. Nc
Kinley in the social life of the city of
that day and she came to know him
very well. He was young lawyer
and entered into partnership with
Judge Belden, one of the central
figures in state politics of Ohio at that
day. This was back in the days of
| the sixties.
Mr.. Mckinley was prominent in his
social life of the city and Mrs. Walton
recalls the impression of the young
ladies of the social circle concerning
him. He was always very dignitied
and not inclined toward social rela-
tions. He seemed to possess an ele-
walton above the ordinary affairs of
life and the young ladies of the period
who met him stood in awe of him.
He was always looked upon as thor
oughly good man and man with the
| promise of great future in prospect.
When his engagement with his wife,
then Miss Ida Saxton, daughter of
S0ANObD was IL "oO
universally expressed how we'll the
young lady had done. All cohgratu-
lated her. Mrs. Walton was intimate
in the Belden family and also closely
! connected with the Saxtons,
| Prior to the engagement with Viii.
liam Mckinley Miss Saxton was
member. of party of young ladies
traveling,in Europe including Mrs.
Walton's sister, later Mrs. Pond.
Also prominent in this social &C.
quaintance were Miss Mary Ellis
Belden, Mary Goodman, after wards
Mrs. Coon and Mrs. Lafayette Nc
Williams. While Mrs. Walton was
at Canton and came in contact with
the man who was afterwards presi-
dent she was impressed by his mil
itary dignity and manly bearing at
all times and places, aperfect gentle
man under all circumstances and a
thoroughly good man, one respected
and beloved by all who knew him or
came in contact with him. "This was
the general feeling for the man in
that place." said Mrs. Walton, in an
interview with a HERALD reporter
Saturday morning. when he
became president of the United
States the esteem of those peo-
pie for the man grew to be little
less than worship. He was dearly
beloved and Eidolized by every one
there. He was alike the idol of all
classes and conditions. The rich and
the poor and the high and the lowly
We'd in doing honor to the man. He
was thoroughly good man. He was
a member of the Methodist church.
The ladysof his choice was a member
of the Presbyterian church as were
the members, OF her family. At the
time of the engagement they were
building a new presbyterian church
in Canton and the completion of this
edifice Twas fastened in order that
the celebration Of the nuptials might
be held therein" The lady recalls
distinctly the stir that the event
made at the time. William Mckinley
was always regular attendant at
church and he remained a member
of the First Methodist church OF
Canton up 10 the time of his death.
Mrs. Walton paid the dead presi-
dent the highest of compliments
when she said And he was always
30 good to his mother. He was
ever so thoughtful, so kind and ever
attentive. There was nothing that he
would not do for that much loved
mother. When ever he was in Canton
he never neglected that mother and
paid her a morning call with the
regularity of clock work. " A highe
tribute to the memory of the dead
man could not be written. Then his
devotion TO his wife has ever been
most touching and has marked him
as great man. His tenderness and
his constancy, and with all, his
largeness of heart are traits that
have endeared him to all who have
known OF tbs circumstances OF his
inner and private life. IL is small
wonder that the man had the bold
upon the people that is SO clearly
manifested in these hours OF dire
calamity and wrecking sorrow.
Mrs. Pond, the sister OF Mrs