Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-05-31

distinction in the Shenandoah valley,
was the favored one.
by James SaNton, her father, these
words were spoken to Mckinley when
the hand of the daughter was gained !:
You are the only man | have ever
known to whom | would intrust my
daughter
On January -, 1871, William Nc
I<inley and Ida SaXtOn We're united in
marriage. The wedding was the first
performed III the then new Presbyterian
church. Rev. Dr. Buckingham of that
congregation and Rev. DR.. Endsley of
the First Methodist church officiating
After an eastern trip, including Wash
ingtOn. and short time of boarding the
Mckinleys purchased the home i'll North
Market street, which in later years be
came famous as the Mckinley cottage.
1t was during their short sOjourn in this
home-hallowed to them by so many sor-
rows--that Mrs, Mckinley's health broke
down under the burden Of grief that was
theirs. There were born TO them two
daughters, Katie on Christmas of 1871.
and Ida on April J. 1873. The heart
strings of the mothers tenderest love
were broken when Ida passed away in
August, 1873. Mrs. McKinley's mother
having died the month before the little
one saw the light of day. Katie. the
first born, lived for three and one-half
years, to become cnShrined in the affec-
lions OF ner devoted parents. and she
then passed from earth. Then it was
that the almost broken-hearted wife be-
came an invalid.
Life Devoted to Husband.
Her life as the wife of William Nc
Kinley was q devoted one. They never
kept house while he was in Congress
because Of her invalid state. She, how
II tp ho
possible and spent much time in Wash
Ington. On his campaign tours while he
was congressman, governor and Pres-
dent she journeyed with him as far as
practicable.
After MckinIey's term as governor
ended they came to Canton in January,
1886, in time to celebrate their silver
wedding anniversary in the first home of
their early married life. This wedding
anniversary was the beginning of a year
and two months residence in Canton,
during which time Mr.. Mckinley was
nominated and elected president of the
United States.
At Washington as the first lady of the
land she was unable to act as hostess
at brilliant social functions. After the
crushing blow which came to her when
the aSSaSsinS bullet struck down her
husband friends despaired of her life for
a month or more. However. she rallied
and Tor several years enjoyed better
health than usual. She would not con-
sent to leave her Canton home.
Shows AhectiGnate Nature
Mrs. Mckinley was fond of the drama.
She and her husband numbered as one
of their most intimate friends the late
Joseph Jefferson, who was frequently a
house guest of the McKinleys. Among
her diversions was the crocheting of slip
pcrs. which she bestowed as keepsakes
to friends or gave to bazaars. More
than $500 pairs of slippers were knitted
by her and given away. Mrs. Mckinley
was fond of flowers, the rose being her
favOrite. In recent years the PreSi-
dents carnation shared Il place in her adj
miration.
Bereft of children at an early stage
of married life, she showed her intense
affection for children until the end of
her life. 1t was a common thing for her
to stop her carriage when driving along
the street and call to her some prattling
child and kiss it or ask to embrace an
baby.
The Mckinley estate which was left
by the President was appraised at S215,
600 when the inventory was made. 1t
has increased in value since that time.
BY the terms of the will of Mr. McKin-
ley the estate at the death of Mrs. Nc
kinley was to be divided equally among
his brother. Abner Mckinley. now de-
ceased. and sisters. Mrs. Duncan and
Miss Helen Mckinley of Cleveland.
is the daughter and heir of Abner Nc