Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-05-27
MRS. M'K|NLEY'S LIFE ONE
OF SUBLIME DEVOTION

Canton, o., May 27.-Devoted wife
hood Is the story of Mrs. VIM. Nc
Kinley's life Hers was her distin-
guished husbands career his joys and
hopes hers. She was the one upon
whom he laTshed the tenderness of
great soul. She was a tender, fra
gile flower whom he nurtured in the
warmth of his manly nature. She
was for many years an invalid and
drew from him the tribute of all that
is noble for all that is gentle.
Mrs. Mckinley was born at Canton,
o., in June. 1S47.
As Ida SaXton, Mrs. Mckinley was
a cashier in her fathers bank In this
city, a wholesome, beloved girl, when
she met VIM. Mckinley, then a strug-
Cling young lawyer, who had return
ed from the war and graduated into
his profession. 1t was on January 25
1871, that they were married, and
she took up the responsibilities of
wifehood like many another young
woman in the broad land. with the
highest aims for a happy life and
the most roseate hopes for the future.
Her Life a MartrydOm.
1t was her lot soon to become a
martyr
The first few years of their mar
ried life was unclouded. A little
daughter came to bless them and this
child lived four years when death
overlook it, Later the home of the Nc
Kinleys was again made happy by
the advent of a daughter, but again
the couple was chastened. This sec
ond child also died in infancy, and
the shock to the mother-love of Mrs.
Mckinley made her nervous wreck
From that time on she was an in
valid.
To the bereavement in the loss of
her children was added the death of
Mrs. McKinley's mother.
The tenderness which Mr.. McKin-
ley displayed for his helpmeet
became famous In the strife for a
living. in the midst of the turmoils
of politics and all during the cares
of statesmanship he kept her always
In his protecting presence.
Always Near Husband.
She resided in Washington during
her husbands service in congress in
the late 70s, and in Columbus dur
ing the SOS, when he was governor.
At Columbus they had their quarters
in a hotel across from the state
house, and 1t was her custom TO
watch her husband from her window
as he passed through the state house
yard on his way to the executive Of
fees, and IL was his custom to turn
and wave, smile reinsurance and
cheerfulness to the adoring white face
at the window.
Then came the elimination of Mrs.
McKinley's faith and confidence in
her husband, when, after the long
exciting campaign for president, he
was sent TO the white house by the
people. 1t had been largely because
of his devotion to her that this cam
paign became famous as the door
yard" campatgn-a campaign In
which his ratifications were held un-
der the trees of his lawn at Canton,
where he and his patient, suffering
wife greeted the thousands Of delega-
tions that came 10 pledge their loyal
y.
While Mrs. Mckinley seldom par
ticipated in any OF these receptions,
owing TO her IN health there was
note Of pathos In the fact that Nc
Kinley remained at home to admins
ter TO her whose all he was.
'In the white house she so far i'm
proved as to assist I'm dispensing the
hospitality that Is the task of the
mistress of the presidents official
residence, although the severest part
of her official life was in the hands
of relatives. She graced her respon-
sible position with the sweetness that
marked her social intercourse al all
times.
President Was shot
Then the fateful destiny that made
this gentleWOman's life an unmur-
muring martyrdOm struck the most
cruel blow OF all. She was al Buffalo
with the president on september o,
1907. when the assassin shot her hus-
band down. She was not at his side
when he was assailed, having been
TOO weak to accompany him 10 the
exposition grounds. but Mckinley's
first thoughts were OF her.
81 trust Mrs. Mckinley viii not be