Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1907 — MRS. M’KINLEY DEAD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MRS. M’KINLEY DEAD.

Widow of Martyred President Passes Away at Canton. Mrs. McKinley, the widow of the martyred President, expired at Canton, Ohio, Sunday afternoon. Her death was so peaceful that it was with difficulty the physicians noted when dissolution came. There was no pain and no struggle. The body of Mrs. McKinley is to rest in the vault in West Lawn cemetery, which holds the remains of her husband, until the completion of the national mausoleum on Monument hill, when both caskets will be transferred to receptacles in that tomb. Although for thirty years Mrs. Mc Kinley had been something of an inva lid, she was comparatively well until a week before death, when she suffered a stroke of paralysis. Throughout the long period of her invalidism, dating from the death of her two little children, Mrs. McKinley showed a firm and unwavering belief in the career of her husband and by her cheering words, in spite of person-

al afflictions, encouraged him when there was darkness at hand. She believed that his star of destiny would never set until he had become President of this land and for more than a quarter of a century cherished that belief until her hopes were realized. After President McKinley’s death she expressed a desire to join him and prayed day by day that she might die. Later, however, she frequently told friends she desired to live until the completion of the McKinley mausoleum, which is the gift of the nation and which is to be dedicated on Monument hill Sept. 30 next. Mrs. McKinley was born in Canton June 8, 1847. James A, Saxton, her father, was an intellectual and pro- [gressive business man and banker, his Ida Saxton was reared in a home of comfort and ease. After attending Canton schools she was a pupil at a private school at Delhi, N. Y. Later she went to a Cleveland academy and finished her education at Brook Hall seminary, Media, Pa. While she taught Sunday school in the Presbyterian church young Lawyer William McKinley was superintendent of the First Methodist Episcopal Sunday school. Among many admirers and suitors the handsome young soldier, who had been with Grant and Sherman and won distinction in the Shenandoah valley, was the favored one. Her life, as the wife of William McKinley was a devoted one. They never “kept house’’ while he was in Congress because of her invalid state. She, however, desired to be with him as much as possible and spent much time in Washington. On his campaign tours while he was Congressman, Governor and President, she journeyed with him After McKinley’s term as Governor ended, they came to Canton in January, 1896, 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.

[image: Drawing - Mrs. M'kinley.]

MRS. M’KINLEY.