The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-08-29
THE M'kINLEYs IN WASHINGTON.
MRS. Mckinley an Invalid and Her
Husbands Constant Care for Her.

husbands Constant Care for Her.
When Mrs. Mckinley came to Wash
ins'on as the wife of the president
'here was naturally an intense inter-
E" IN the social Official circle, and IN
iact among the people Of the capital
senerally, as to her personality. AL
though she had spent the sessions Of
congress here while her husband was
member Of the house of represent ia
yves she was little known, her ply
sical condition preventing her from
participating In social functions. APP
parently she had no desire to shine in
social way, preferring the company
of her husband and a few intimate
friends to more general associations.
Inc devotion of the McKinleys to
each other, and particularly Mr.. Nc.
hinley's constant ct<. of his invalid
"lte, was known to a small number
vi people only at that time. 1t was
not until they took up their residence
at the White House that loving care
ana regard of the president for Mrs.
mckinley and her great affection for
MIN and pride in the greatness he had
attained became known even to many
or those who had been acquainted per-
sonally with them during the presi-
dents career in congress.
Nearly every White House family
has been subjected to more or less ad-
verse criticism by Washington gossips.
Most OF this has been unfounded, and
nearly all the scandalous stories that
nave been circulated about the private
habits of those who resided in the
executive mansion have been utterly
untrue. But no word of scandal ever
touched the McKinleys. Everything
that the curious world heard of them
ana their ways dealt with an ideal
family life, and people began to appre-
ciate something of the nobility Of the
presidents personal character and the
beautiful fortitude which Mrs Nc
kinley bore her sufferings.
For more than 20 years Mrs. McKin.
ley was an invalid. Since the death
of her children she had been afflicted
with nervous disease and required
almost constant attention. In all that
time her husband had been consta mt
in his devotion to her, sacrificing
many pleasures to give her comfort
and caring only for her welfare. To
her intimate friends Mrs. Mckinley
never tired of praising these traits OF
McKinley's character. He was to her
the perfect man and husband. Her af-
lection for him was manifest to all
who came in contact with them in the
White House and his devotion to her
was that of lover.
1t was ecident to all who saw Mrs
Mckinley that she had suffered. Her
face showed that, but her physical dis
abilities had brought to her counten-
ance that sweetness which comes
from trials bravely borne Despite her
bodily troubles, however, she persist
ed in performing as far as possible
those duties which the public expects
from the first lady of the land. At the
White House receptions she sat in a
chair at the left of the president and
on the right of the line Of standing
women of the cabinet circle. For all
who came to these affairs she had a
bright smile, with the addition of a
pleasant word to those she knew per-
sonally. She did not follow the hand |
shaking custom of White House social |
functions, and a glance at the deli
cate, fragile hands, usually folded in
her lap, explained why.
Perhaps the most decided trait of |
Mrs McKinley's character was her !
love for children. She showed this in
every occasion presented, whether |
driving or walking through the White |
House lobby for her carriage or when |
friends brought their little ones to see |
her. At noon, when she usually re-
turned from her morning drives the
White House was. as a rule, pretty |
we'll filed with visitors Many OF
these ,uia stand in the lobby TO
watch II H. u. sweet faced woman
pass thr, ghS . the residence portion
Of the M! ion leaning on the arm OF |
an attent Ia Mrs. Mckinley spied |
a child, fl& crowd she wo"'a tn !
varfably ~ ID call -
to her, sessetin -
the bashfiI