Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-31
Watchers Barely Knew When
Mrs. Mex ,nley Passed Away
MANY YEARS AN INVALID
Encouraged Husband Under All Con-
ditions, In Spite of Personal Attic
tions--LIfe as Wife of William Nc
kinIey Was a Notably Happy One

Mckinley, widow of the third martyred
President of the United States. died at
her home here yesterday afternoon.
The transition from life 70 death was
80 peaceful and gradual that i. was
with difficulty that the vigilant physi-
clans and attendants noted when dis
solution came
There was no struggle, no pain. Mrs.
Mckinley never knew of the efforts
made for days to prolong her life or of
the solicitlous care of her sister and
other relatives and friends.
The funeral services, which are to be
simple, will be held at the Mckinley
home Wednesday afternoon. Secre-
tiry of the Treasury Cortelyou is d.
recting the arrangements and will re.
main here until after the funeral The
body of Mrs. Mckinley will be placed in
the vault in Westlawn cemetery which
holds the remains of her husband I'M
til the completion of the national MAUI
solemn, when both caskets will be
transferred to receptacles in that tomb
More than half of Mrs McKinley's
lite of almost 60 years was period of
invalidsm. Through all this. however
she showed a firm and unwaverng be-
lief in the career of her husband and
by her cheerful words. in spite Of per
sOnal Affections. encouraged him under
at conditions. She believed that his
star OF destiny would never set until
he had become President Of the United
States, and for more than a quarter of
century cherished this belief until her
hopes were realized.
After President McKinley's death
she expressed desire to Join him and
Irayed day by day that she might die.
Later. however, she frequently told
friends she desired to live until the
completion of the Mckinley mauso.
lcum. which is the gift of the nation.
and which is to be dedicated on Monu-
ment hill Sept. 30 next.
Ida Saxton Mckinley was born in
Canton June s. 1917. James A. Saxton.
her father. was Il business man and
banker, his wife woman of extraor-
binary culture and refinement Ida
SlXton was reared in a home of COM
fort and ease Part of the years of her
young womanhood were spent in the
Stark county bank, which belonged to
her father. On several occasions she
had charge of the institution.
While she taught Sunday school in
the Presbyterian church, William Nc
Kinley, Jr.. was superintendent of the
First Methodist Episcopal Sunday
school. Among many admirers and
rultors the young lawyer and soldier,
who had been with Grant and Sheridan
and won distinction in the Shenandoah
valley, was the favored one.
On Jan. %, 1871, William Mckinley
and Ida SaxtOn were married. After
nm eastern trip the McKinleys pur-
chased the home on North Market
street, which in later years became
famous as the Mckinley cottage 1t
was during their short soiourn in this
home that Mrs. McKinley's health
broke down under burden of grief
caused by the death of her two daugh-
tiers. Katie and Ida.
Her life as the wife of William Nc
Kinley was Il most happy and devoted
one. They never kept house" while
be was in congress because of her in
valid state. She. however desired to
be with him as much as possible and
spent much time in Washington.
At Washington, as the first lady of
the land. Mrs. Mckinley was unable to
act as hostess at brillian: social func-
tons. After the crushing blow which
came to her when the assassin's bullet
struck down her husband. friends de.
SPARED of her life for month or more
Sue rallied and for. several years en-
jOyed better health than usual. She
would not consent to leave her Canton
home.
Mrs. Mckinley was fond of the
drama Among her diversions was the
c1Ocheting of slippers, which she gave
rs keepsakes to friends and to bazaars.
More than $500 pairs of slippers were
knitted by her and given away. Mrs.
Mckinley was fond of flowers Bereft
of children, she showed her intense af
fection for children until the end of her
life.
The estate which was left by Presi-
Gent Mckinley was appraised at S215.-
100 when the inventory was made. II
has increased in value since that time.
By the terms of the will of Mckinley
the estate at the death of Mrs. McKin. |
ley was to be divided equally among
his brother Abner Mckinley, now de-
ceased, and sister, MR. Duncan. and |
Miss Helen Mckinley of Cleveland.
Mrs. Hermanus Baer mabel Mckinley |
is the daughter and heir of Abner Nc.
Kinley.
No Railway Strike In Chicago