The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-16
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dent should be taken to the Maburn
home, remembering how successfully
Mrs. Mckinley had been treated at the
home of Mr.. Scott in San Francisco,
and who remembered Mrs. Mckinley
and saw to it that she should not be told
Of the attack until after the operation.
Mr.. Cortelyou also decided that it
would be well for the suffering president
and his gentle and afflicted wife to see
each other as soon as practicable, and
he it was who arranged their first IN
terview at the Milburn home, an inter-
view that Is now historic, demonstrat-
ing, as it did, a fragile wOman'S self
control and self obliteration-
How is it that you know so much
about medicine and what should be done
in the sick room?" asked one of the
presidents physicians at Buffalo.
Eighteen years ago." was the reply,
I made stenographic reports Of a num-
Der of famous clinics at the New York
hospital then noted what was done
in emergency cases and how essential
it was for the patient to be operated
upon almost Immediately after being
wounded"
All the arrangements for the care of
the dying president were made by him.
Mrs. Mckinley was not taken out driv-
ing during those days of anxiety and
public sorrow without his advice and
consent. He even reserved the right to
veto the requests of well meaning but
thOughtleSs Buffalo ladies who were
anxious to call and pay their respects.
By day and by night he stood guard at
the door of the SickroOnn. seeing all who
asked admission and deciding whether
their business was sufficiently urgent to
justify the opening Of the door. For
three days following the shooting he
was without sleep, and until the death
of the president he slept only at rare
intervals. and never longer than two
hours at a time.
During all these days, it will be re-
naembered his duties as private score
tary were Quadrupled, the correspond
ence by wire and by mail. due to the
tragedy, pouring in upon the Milburu
home in an unceasiHg stream. 1t is suf-
ficient to say that during this tremen-
dous strain he did not once lose that
innate courtesy which is so character
stic Of him, or make a mistake in judg-
ment regarding the hundreds of COM
pick orders he was issuing daily
SOMETHING OF HIS ANCESTRY.
Mr.. Cortelyou was born in New York
state, July IS, 1852, and his ancestors
were prominent in colonial and revolu-
tiOnary history. His grandfather was +
large typefounder, and the personal
friend and associate of Horace Greeley
Henry J. Raymond. Thurlow Weed and
other prominent New York journalists
and public men of that day.
Mr.. Cortelyou graduated from the
Hampstead institute in 1879, and entered
the state normal school at Westfeld
Mass where he completed an advanced
course of study at the age of 10 He
was prepared for Harvard. but entered
the New England Conservatory of
Music instead. at the same time taking
up several courses of advanced study
ana tutoring in English Literature
classes of teachers from the Cambridge
nigh school. He acquired a fine train
ing N music He learned shorthand II,
1883, not as necessity, but because he
had time for the work, and thought pos
a no al 10 10 =
edge to good use some day. Then he
became assistant instructor in the short
hand college, and reported the lectures
OF the clinical course of the New York
hospital, already referred to-
FIRST LOOK INTO PUBLIC LIFE
IN 1884, desiring a larger career than
the shorthand school promised he pass
ed the examination for stenographer
and private secretary in the office of
the appraiser of the port of New York
This was his first look into public life
In year following the change of ad-
ministration, he resigned, and became
general law and verbatim reporter,
assoclating himself with James A
Munson, author Of the MUnson system
of shorthand During this period of his
career he was court reporter in the SUI
perior court of New York, and became
very proficient in legal work. He was
regarded as one of the most expert law
and medical stenOgraphers in New
York.
From 1885 to 1889 he was principal of
college preparatory schools in New
York, and in the fall of the latter year
became private secretary to the post
office inspector in charge at New York
In March, 1891, he was appointed con
fidential stenographer to the surveyor
Of the port of New York. and in July
of that year private secretary to the
fourth assistant postmaster general, in
this city, his work as reporter of the
investigation into the defa1catiOn il
the cashiers office of the New York
postoffice, and Of the yearly meetings
of division postofice inspectors, and
Of the conferences of postmasters at
Washington. having brought MIN prom
inently to the notice of the depart
ment.
When the administration changed
again in 1893. he rendered his resigna-
ton, but withdrew it at the request Of
General Maxwell, with whom he served
for three years. IN addition to his du-
ties as private secretary, he was made
acting chief clerk of the fourth assist
ants office.
At WHITE HOUSE IN 1885
Through General Maxwell and Post
master General BisseiI, Mr.. CortelyOu's
work ca me to the knowledge of Presi-
dent Cleveland and when Executive
Clerk Robert L. O'Brien resigned TO be-
come Washington correspondent of the
Boston Transcript. Mr. Cortelyou was
transferred to the White House. and
made stenograp her to the president. in