The Story of President William McKinley

The True Story of the Forgotten President and his Assassination

Preface: In this discussion I feel it important to mention the life of William McKinley in detail as he has fallen away from most discussion today. I am not writing this do to my belief that he was a great president or to the contrary, but his story is interesting, inspiring, and sad all in one.

Born to William McKinley Sr. and his wife Mrs. Allison McKinley. It can only be assumed that these middle class Americans did not think in 1943 they had given birth to the 39th Governor of Ohio, the 25th President of the United States, and a hero of the Civil War in his own right.

Civil War

William McKinley Jr. was born on the 29th of January, 1843. Less than twenty years later and this young man would be thrust into the Civil War. Unlike other U.S. Presidents, McKinley would enlist as a private in the 23rd Ohio Infantry. This unit was assigned Colonel William Rosecrans as Regiment Commander. During his time as an enlisted man, he was present at the battle of Antietam. This would be known as the bloodiest single day in US History. At this battle, McKinley would be under heavy fire as he was tasked with supplying the troops on the front-lines.

McKinley was very dedicated to his life in the military, but he was also good at the politics. He quickly came into contact with Major Rutherford B. Hayes and developed a great connection to the major. This connection would last the remainder of his life and assist McKinley in making other connections. These would help lead him to his later promotions eventually becoming a Brevet Major.

Married Life

Following the war McKinley fell in love with one Ida Saxton. Ida had epilepsy which she would struggle with the rest of her life. However, having William around to comfort her after her seizures did make life much easier. It was also at this time that he began his political career. This would largely be due to his aforementioned friend, Rutherford Hayes, who ran and got elected as Governor. During the campaign, McKinley found himself largely involved by giving speeches and assisting in anyway possible. Following this he ran for prosecuting attorney, Governor, and eventually was nominated as the Presidential candidate for the Republican Party

Tragedy

As stated previously, William married Ida. This marriage occurred in January 1871. On Christmas day of 1871, they would have their first child, Kathrine, followed by a second a year later named Ida. Sadly, shortly after her birth Ida would pass away. This would trigger depression in the mother, Ida, which would only get worse as only a year later his other daughter would catch typhoid fever and pass away as well. Following this for the remainder of his life, William devoted himself to tending his wife’s needs as she became very ill and her epilepsy got much worse.

Presidency

The election 1896 was relatively close, however McKinley won 51% of the popular vote as well as an ample majority of the Electoral College. It could also be joked that he would destined to win as he was facing notorious loser William Jennings Bryan.

McKinley would have Garret Hobart as his first vice president and he served during a time of “low political stress.” However, this isn’t to say nothing happened, It was during his presidency that we had the crisis known as the Spanish-American war. Just like any presidency as well, there were controversies. One being his Appointment to Secretary of State, John Sherman, who was quite elderly and in cognitive decline. The statements claiming this fell on deaf ears as McKinley appointed him despite the claims stating

the stories regarding Senator Sherman’s ‘mental decay’ are without foundation … When I saw him last I was convinced both of his perfect health, physically and mentally, and that the prospects of life were remarkably good.

During his first term he had gained a lot of popularity due to his annexation of Hawaii, as well as other claims he had acquired expanded the reaches of the United States.

His re-election campaign went much more smoothly than the first attempt. He even stated his optimism. His only challenge was replacing the vice-president who had served along side of him. Hobart had fallen ill of a heart ailment and passed away in 1899. During the last months of his life it was said by McKinley that

Only death or an earthquake would keep Hobart off the ticket.

Also during these months, when Garrett Hobart was at his weakest, a fact I found to be hilarious is that Hobart would pass time by feeding two Gold Fish. One named McKinley that was gold, and another named Bryan that was silver.

After his Vice-Presidents passing he would replace him with Theodore Roosevelt, and as predicted he would acquire the re-election.

Brief summary of the life of Leon Czolgosz

Leon was born in 1873, and was raised by a Catholic, Polish-American family. During the economic collapse of 1893 he lost his job as the factory that he worked at closed its doors. This would lead him to spiral and turn to a life of anarchism. Overtime he gradually became more radical. It was one speech in particular that stuck out to the young Czolgosz, however, that being from an anarchist that he had met in Cleveland named Emma Goldman. He would say after this speech that her words were burned inside his brain.

Assassination

The date was September 6, 1901. The Pan-American Exposition was taking place in Buffalo, New York and only a day prior President McKinley gave his first of many speeches. Or so he thought. He reached to podium to give his speech on the sixth, unknowingly giving his last speech. He concluded and went to the crowd. When he began to shake hands with people the first was a little girl. He smiled at her, asked and her mother. He gave her a gift, and she trotted off. The next man was a tall gentlemen, this man had an appearance that put McKinley’s security on edge. However, their worries would be unwarranted. The two men shook hands, had a chat, and went their own ways. The third man in line had his right hand covered with a handkerchief. This seemed unusual to McKinley, but he expected the mans hand to be wounded so reached with his off hand to shake hands.

It was at this time that the man fired two shots from under the handkerchief. He was concealing a .32 caliber pistol.

Am I shot?

Asked the President

I believe so.

Said his security. While men were wrestling Czolgosz to the ground. McKinley seeing the brutality they were treating the man with order them to

Go easy on him, boys.

He told them to not harm the man. This was immediately followed by concerns for his wife. He told his head of security

My wife — be careful, Cortelyou, how you tell her — oh, be careful.

For six days, his condition would seem to be improving. He would even begin to eat more than just soups on rare occasions. However, this would not last. On the 13th of September, his wounds would become gangrenous. He would pass away a day later.

Bibliography:

“Czolgosz Says He Had No Aid”. Chicago Sunday Tribune. September 8, 1901 — via mckinleydeath.com.

Armstrong, William H. Major McKinley: William McKinley and the Civil War. Kent State University Press, 2000.

Gould, Lewis L. The Presidency of William McKinley. Regents Press of Kansas, 1980.

Morgan, H. Wayne. William McKinley and His America. Rev. ed, Kent State University Press, 2003.