Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-16
MRS E.'KlN1 EY'S SAD LEE

I 1iel Oue ColulOfL IS ueI udlIJ flSi | to the tomb of her husband. She seems to be living only in his memory and for the purpose of honoring him. These words were spoken of Mrs Me Kinley bt an intimate friend of hers. They tell in nutshell the daily life of the woman who has not recovered and never will recover from the effects of the shock occasioned her by the as sassin's bullets that cost the life of her illustrious husband at Buffalo.
 Mrs Ida Mckinley, whose life was wrapped up in every action and word of William Mckinley, as he received the plaudits of his fellow man as con gressman, governor. candidate and president, lives in the past more than in the present. Her one desire is to pay homage to her dead husband. To that end she has made daily visits to the vault in Westlawn cemetery, at Canton, Ohio, which holds the body of her husband, says the New York World.
 For her convenience at the vault q rocking chair has been placed in the I house of the dead near the Mckinley casket. 4 heavy rug on the floor pro- tects her from dampness. When she enters the tomb she is always clothed in heavy wraps, so as to prevent any cold from getting hold on her system.
 The guards of national soldiers on duty have come to regard her daily visit to the vault as sacred, and they extend to her the most profound sympathy and attention. Visitors to the cemetery who witness her enter fhe vault bearing with her daily her offer ing of flowers, which she bedews with tears ere she lays them on the casket stands in silence and utmost respect
 Her daily visit of love and honor to the cemetery is not completed at the tomb of her husband. She drives far ther into the cemetery grounds proper and lays a tribute of flowers and sheds I tears over the graves of her two infant daughters. All her hopes and her best friends lie moldering in the WestIawu cemetery.
 1 The home life of Mrs Mckinley in general does not differ now from what It has been for ten or fifteen years past save, of course, that part which con- nected her 1n deed and word with her husband, who shared his time with her as much as possible. Her habits of rising and retiring when she feels af all well are systematic. The members or her household follow everything on schedule time. All meals are prompt ly served at a fixed hour. Her wants are cared Tor as closely as possible.
 Her bosom companion and attendant ! now Is Miss. Mozer. Mrs AIeKinIey's sister, Mrs Barber, has practically tle- voted all her time to Mrs MeKinIey since the late presidents death. If Mrs Barber is compelled to be away Tor a day or more, Miss Mary Barber or some other member of the family remains at Mrs McKinley's home.
 In diversions Mrs McKinlev,s cbiof '. pastfme, as people generally know. has been making fancy slippers. Mrs Mckinley reads considerably herself. but has more read to her. She oeea- slonally writes a letter in her own hand, but that is rare. Faithful at- tendants do the work for her.
 Mrs Mckinley Is not always abIa fo see all visitors, but when she is able she Is as courteous to a stranger as to friends of long standing. Her heaJth according to a statement made reneaf- edly, by her attending physicians. is 7s
 
 the last ten years. Her mind is keen and active. Her sensitive nature og course, still feels poignantly the grief thaI so suddenly came to her in the loss or her husband last September. ana at times she gives way. to Ter emotions and seems unable to control HefseiI. But constant friends seek to prevent such emotions as much as pos A nJsx xl II py her own desire and by the advice or her physician. Her interest in peo- pie and things seen during her drives has increased in recent months to 2 i marked extent.
 UT plans for the summer there has been no great discussion at Mrs Me- Ainley's home. It is well known among her intimate friends and the members of her household that shn aesires to remain in Canton Indeed It Is doubtful whether she could l)a | made contented to remain away from there any le--1fl of time. Her one great comfo1 sisting in daily visit | to the vault ich contains her hus. i bands body, she would, her friends I know, pine for return.
 1t may be that later in the s,In,,ao,. an experimental trip will be arraneed | Tor her. Her intimate friend. Mrs ,Garret Hobart of Paterson. N. r is anxious to have Mrs Mckinley yfsi, | her, but as yet no plans to that end | nave been made, nor are they even contemplated now. They may be con summated on short notice at any time or may not be made at all Many other intimate friends have invited Mrs Nc hlnley to visit them, but all the invi- | tatlons have been declined.
 The plan of having many of her rala tlves and friends come to Canton from time to time will be continued. n their presence Mrs McKinley seems to fnd much comfort and benefit. While she aoes mot express a great desire TOT social doings,< yet she manifests pleasure and appreciation of all acts done for her by her loving friends who i've i'll Canton and those who come from afar to see her.