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Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Memorial Edition
COMPLETE LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY
AND STORY OF HIS ASSASSINATION
An Authentic and Official Memorial Edition, Containing Every Incident in
the Career of the Immortal Statesman, Soldier, Orator and Patriot
by
MARSHALL EVERETT
The Great Descriptive Writer and Friend of the Martyr President
Profusely Illustrated with Full-Page Photographs of
the Assassination Scene
Portraits of President McKinley, His Cabinet, Famous Men of His
Administration and Vivid Life-Like Pictures of Eventful Scenes in His
Great and Grand Career
Copyright 1901 by Marshall Everett
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
OUR MARTYR PRESIDENTS.]
PREFACE.
No figure of modern American history appeals so strongly to the
patriotism and love of the American people as William McKinley, and no
volume can have greater interest and value at the present day, or be
more dearly prized, than a history of his life in which every event of
his great career as a noble youth, a gallant soldier, an able lawyer, a
brilliant orator, a grand statesman, a brave patriot and an heroic
martyr is set forth accurately, and in a spirit of love and reverence.
The author of this memorial edition has produced exactly the volume
described.
In graphic words he has described the assassination of President
McKinley. It is a word picture that will linger forever in the memory of
every reader, calling forth sympathy and patriotism on behalf of the
martyr President and undying contempt and horror of the assassin and the
foul and cowardly thing called anarchy. Every detail of that now
historic scene is told so vividly that the reader sees it as if he were
an eye-witness.
McKinley’s gallant fight for life, his cheerfulness, his patience, his
tender solicitude for his invalid wife, his trust in God and all the
beautiful attributes of his grand Christian spirit are recorded with
fidelity to truth and a just appreciation of the nobility of such a
grand character.
Nothing in history is more touching and beautiful than the author’s
description of the death-bed scene of President McKinley—the tender
parting of devoted husband and loving, clinging wife, and the noble
resignation of the dying man to the will of the Creator as expressed in
the last words he uttered, addressed to his sorrowing wife: “God’s will,
not ours, be done!”
Another chapter describes the efforts of surgical and medical science to
save and prolong the life so dear to the nation.
With the closing of the last chapters of that fearful scene at Buffalo,
the painless death and the national funeral services, the author takes
up the boyhood life of William McKinley and follows it step by step, up,
up and ever upward to the very summit of his greatness when he fell a
martyr to liberty and lawful government.
His early Christian training by his noble mother—“Mother McKinley” as
the whole nation learned to call her—who lived to see her boy in the
White House, and all the events which went to shape his character are
depicted with interest.
Next in order is his career as a soldier in the Civil War—in which the
author gives every thrilling incident and exciting experience in which
William McKinley figured during that great struggle. Later, it is told
how in after years he did so much to reunite the sections of his country
and wipe out all bitter memory of that war between brothers.
As a congressman, governor and President, nothing is omitted in this
history that is a part of the life of this great American statesman. The
history of his campaigns and administrations is given in full, together
with his management of the Spanish war, the policy of expansion, the
growth of national commerce and all the other great achievements and
policies that were a part of his life work.
In other words, this volume is exactly what it purports to be, a
COMPLETE life of William McKinley.
The beautiful illustrations in this volume have been made from actual
photographs, and reproduced by the well-known half-tone process. There
are hundreds of scenes of interest in the life, death and funeral of
President McKinley. The pictures of the assassination, the death-bed
scene and the places and people of the great tragedy are true to life in
every particular and have an historic interest and value for every
American citizen.
This volume is in every respect truly a memorial edition of the Complete
Life of William McKinley, whose memory will ever remain in the minds of
loyal Americans inseparably associated with his two fellow
martyr-Presidents, Lincoln and Garfield, and the record of whose
patriotic and noble life is contained herein.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.
A graphic and vivid description of the Shooting of the President by
Leon Czolgosz, an Anarchist, at the Pan-American Exposition,
Buffalo—Two shots fired from a derringer concealed by the
assassin under a handkerchief which looked like a
bandage—Different accounts by eye-witnesses—Assassin seized by
James F. Parker, a colored man—Saved from the mob by the
President’s words, “Let no one hurt him”—Scenes among the
horror-stricken crowds in the Temple of Music—The President taken
on a gallop to the Emergency Hospital—Description of his
wounds—How the great man bore the ordeal 33
CHAPTER II.
PRESIDENT McKINLEY’S FIGHT FOR LIFE.
The fateful week at the house of President Milburn of the
Exposition where President McKinley lay wounded—His coolness,
bravery and cheerfulness—Physicians and country hopeful—President
shows signs of recovery—How he was nourished—Scenes in the
President’s apartment—His sudden relapse—Hopes of the nation
dashed by the news 41
CHAPTER III.
DEATHBED SCENE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.
Friends and officials called back—President regains consciousness
after first relapse—Pathetic parting between the President and
Mrs. McKinley—The farewell Kiss—“God’s will, not ours, be done,”
his last words to her—“Nearer My God to Thee”—Dr. Rixey remains
to the end—Unconscious for hours before dissolution—A Christian
deathbed scene that will remain forever, a beautiful and
inspiring memory 57
CHAPTER IV.
THE STORY OF THE ASSASSIN.
Description of Czolgosz the assassin—A Pole by birth—Boasted that
he was an Anarchist and believed in killing the rulers of all
nations—Became an Anarchist under the teachings of Emma
Goldman—How and why he went to Buffalo—Followed the President for
three days seeking an opportunity to kill him—A monstrous
confession—His father and mother found in Cleveland—Poor and
ignorant, but nothing known against them—People who knew the
assassin tell of his belonging to Anarchist clubs and always
preaching Anarchy 65
CHAPTER V.
EMMA GOLDMAN, WOMAN LEADER OF ANARCHISTS.
Description of the woman from whom the assassin learned the
teachings of Anarchy—Text of Emma Goldman’s speech which Czolgosz
says inflamed him to commit assassination—Emma Goldman’s career
as an Anarchist in New York and Europe—Her arrest in
Chicago—Arrest of the “Free Society” branch of Anarchists in
Chicago 76
CHAPTER VI.
ANARCHISM AND ITS OBJECTS.
Definition of anarchy—No two Anarchists agree—Some of the leaders
who have talked, written and acted anarchy in this country and in
Europe—A hellish doctrine that has caused many of the world’s
greatest men to fall by the hands of assassins—Complete history
of anarchy from Proudhon to the present day—Review of anarchistic
agitation and murder—Story of the Haymarket assassinations in
Chicago 89
CHAPTER VII.
SCENES AT BUFFALO FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION.
Wild anger of the people at the appalling crime—How the assassin
was guarded against the popular wrath—Grief and anger mingled—The
location of the Milburn house—The President’s clothes—What he had
in his pockets—Senator Hanna’s remarkable dream of warning—The
devotion of Private Secretary Cortelyou 99
CHAPTER VIII.
DAYS OF ANXIETY AND SORROW.
How the American people watched and waited, hoped and prayed while
the President lay ill—All the civilized world shared in the
sorrow and anxiety—World-wide grief at the President’s
death—Rulers of the world eulogize the dead President—Their
messages of sympathy 107
CHAPTER IX.
PRESIDENT McKINLEY’S LAST SPEECH.
Greatest speech ever made by the President delivered on the day
before the assassination—World-wide in its influence and uniting
the American people in praise of his wise statesmanship—Great
honors shown the nation’s chief on the day before his
assassination—Events of a day to be memorable in American history 115
CHAPTER X.
WILLIAM McKINLEY’S BOYHOOD.
His Scotch-Irish ancestry—His sturdy sire, William McKinley,
Sr.—The Christian influence of Mother McKinley, who lived to see
her boy in the White House—Early occupations of the future
President—Supporter of Fremont and Lincoln—Early days at Niles
and Poland, Ohio 123
CHAPTER XI.
McKINLEY AS A SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Enlisted as a private and won a commission by gallant and heroic
conduct—Under fire at Antietam and other historic
battles—Promoted by General, afterwards President, Hayes—Brave
and modest—Stories of his experiences in battle 129
CHAPTER XII.
McKINLEY IN CONGRESS.
Elected in the Centennial year—Soon gave evidence of legislative
ability—Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and leader of
his party in the Lower House of Congress—Fourteen years of
memorable work—Some of his memorable speeches and debates—How his
district was “gerrymandered” in order to defeat him—A marvelous
legislative record 141
CHAPTER XIII.
McKINLEY’S LIFE WAS PROTECTION’S ERA.
First champion of Protection for Protection’s sake—Made his policy
the policy of his party and the nation—Growth of the country’s
industry—His last speech substituted Reciprocity for Protection 161
CHAPTER XIV.
McKINLEY AS GOVERNOR OF OHIO.
Twice chosen as chief executive of his state—First nomination by
acclamation—A campaign that carried the people with him—Governor
McKinley and the labor troubles—Always stood for law and order
and sympathized with honest labor 169
CHAPTER XV.
McKINLEY AS A CAMPAIGNER.
His winning personality in politics—Believed in the people and knew
how to convert men to his way of thinking—His methods of
campaigning—His wonderful knowledge of politics—Campaigns of
education—McKinley a wonderful speech-maker—Talks to workingmen
and business men on the lawn at Canton 177
CHAPTER XVI.
GOVERNOR McKINLEY’S FINANCIAL TROUBLES.
In trying to assist a friend his small fortune is swept
away—Governor McKinley and his wife turn over all of their
property to meet his obligation—Friends come to the rescue and he
is relieved from owing any man a cent—The story of how W. R. Day,
H. H. Kohlsaat, Myron T. Herrick and Marcus A. Hanna stood by
Governor McKinley in his hour of need—Governor McKinley’s
attitude above criticism 185
CHAPTER XVII.
McKINLEY’S LOYALTY TO SHERMAN, BLAINE AND HARRISON.
Friendship between three great statesmen—McKinley always an
enthusiastic Blaine man—His honorable attitude toward the Ohio
statesman—Thrilling scene in a National convention when delegates
attempt to stampede to McKinley—How he stopped his own nomination
for President and brought about the nomination of General
Harrison by acclamation 189
CHAPTER XVIII.
FIRST NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT.
The sentiment of the people strong for McKinley’s nomination in
1896—The other candidates—History of the great National
Republican Convention at St. Louis in 1896—Foraker set the
delegates wild with his speech nominating McKinley—First ballot
secures his nomination—Historic political scenes and
characters—Hobart named for the second place 195
CHAPTER XIX.
THE GREAT CAMPAIGN OF 1896.
Men and issues of a memorable national campaign—William Jennings
Bryan as McKinley’s opponent—Gold vs. Silver—How the issues were
stated by leading debaters—Bryan’s speech-making tour—Pilgrimages
of the people to Canton—McKinley receives thousands of voters at
his home 213
CHAPTER XX.
THE SPANISH WAR CLOUD.
How President McKinley exhausted every means in his power to
honorably settle the Cuban trouble and avert war with Spain—Brief
history of the causes leading to the war with Spain—Wisdom and
patriotism of President McKinley—A war for humanity 221
CHAPTER XXI.
McKINLEY’S OWN STORY OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
In a celebrated state paper the President reviews the entire
history of the Spanish war—His able conduct of the war—Every
great historical detail of the struggle for humanity set forth by
President McKinley—An historical document that will remain
forever as a true record of President McKinley’s humane and wise
statesmanship 227
CHAPTER XXII.
McKINLEY AND EXPANSION.
Great amount of territory acquired by the United States under
President McKinley—The story of American expansion—President’s
policy toward the people of our new possessions—The greatness of
President McKinley’s Expansion policy—What it meant to the nation 251
CHAPTER XXIII.
SECOND PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF McKINLEY.
Complete history of the Philadelphia convention of 1900—McKinley’s
renomination a foregone conclusion—Senator Wolcott’s great eulogy
of President McKinley—Theodore Roosevelt named for Vice-President 263
CHAPTER XXIV.
PRESIDENT McKINLEY AND THE CHINESE CRISIS.
Prompt action by the President following the boxer uprising—Cause
of the trouble—The siege of Peking—The United States joins the
powers to rescue the besieged legations—China appeals to the
United States to prevent the powers from dividing the
Empire—President McKinley’s attitude results in a just settlement
of the trouble—A remarkable chapter on President McKinley’s wise
diplomacy 271
CHAPTER XXV.
McKINLEY: BUILDER OF A WORLD POWER.
A complete history of the foreign policy of President McKinley
during his two administrations—How he built up the nation to be
one of the great powers of the world—The master work of his life
was in giving the United States its proper place in the family of
nations—Results that will rank with those of Washington and
Lincoln in adding to the greatness of the American nation 281
CHAPTER XXVI.
PRIVATE LIFE OF WILLIAM McKINLEY.
A model son and husband—His courtship of Ida Saxton—Their
marriage—Two children bless the union, only to die in
infancy—Mrs. McKinley’s health shattered—The “Major’s” devotion
to his invalid wife—William McKinley, the highest type of
American manhood, and a model for every American boy and man 293
CHAPTER XXVII.
McKINLEY’S EULOGY OF LINCOLN.
Full text of an address delivered by President McKinley on
President Lincoln’s Birthday anniversary 298
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE.
The new President sworn in at Buffalo—A simple ceremony tinged with
the gloom of tragedy—Biography of President Roosevelt, soldier,
author, statesman—A review of one of the most remarkable careers
in history 304
CHAPTER XXIX.
GREAT EVENTS OF THE WORLD DURING PRESIDENT McKINLEY’S ADMINISTRATION.
A chapter of happenings of world-wide importance, many of which
were influenced by the late President 321
CHAPTER XXX.
THE FUNERAL SERVICE AT BUFFALO.
Private funeral of William McKinley, the man and citizen, held at
the Milburn house—Touching scenes of last farewell—Simple but
beautiful services 330
CHAPTER XXXI.
LYING IN STATE AT BUFFALO.
Body of the President viewed by thousands in the city hall—All
classes of people present—Italian women remove the shawls from
their heads—Indians drop flowers on the casket—Eloquent tributes
of Indian chiefs—Thousands brave a storm and drenching rain to
gaze on the features of the nation’s beloved dead 339
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE FUNERAL TRAIN TO WASHINGTON.
Thousands line the route—Bells toll, choral societies sing, people
stand uncovered and reverently bow their heads as the train
passes—Outward signs and emblems of a nation’s grief such as were
never before witnessed in the world—Complete story of the journey
to the National Capital 345
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE LAST NIGHT IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
President’s body taken to the White House from the funeral
train—Awe-inspiring scenes at the station—President McKinley’s
happy departure for Buffalo recalled—Body placed in the great
East Room 349
CHAPTER XXXIV.
FUNERAL SERVICES AND PROCESSION AT WASHINGTON.
National funeral services held in the rotunda of the Capitol,
directly under the dome—Body brought from the White
House—Description of the procession—Rev. Dr. Naylor’s eloquent
prayer—Bishop Andrews’ funeral sermon 357
CHAPTER XXXV.
LYING IN STATE AT THE CAPITOL.
Crowds throng the Capitol building at Washington for a last look at
the martyr-President—Complete description of the scene—A panic
caused by immense crush—Beautiful floral designs—The last day at
the seat of national government 367
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE ASSASSIN ARRAIGNED.
While the President’s body was lying in state in the National
Capitol, the assassin was arraigned in court and attorneys enter
plea of “not guilty”—Text of the indictment 375
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE SAD JOURNEY TO CANTON.
Route of the funeral train from the National Capital to the Ohio
home lined with mourners—Journey through Maryland and
Pennsylvania—Touching incidents on the way—Through Ohio—Arrival
at Canton, a city of sorrow 381
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CANTON BATHED IN TEARS.
How the people of Canton received the body of their fellow
townsman—Grief in every heart 387
CHAPTER XXXIX.
FUNERAL SERVICES IN ALL CHURCHES.
First Sunday after the death of President McKinley—All sects and
creeds unite in eulogy—Sad and impressive scenes 395
CHAPTER XL.
CANTON’S FAREWELL TO McKINLEY.
Friends and neighbors take their last view of the dead
President—Many pathetic and beautiful incidents mark the final
leave-taking 404
CHAPTER XLI.
McKINLEY LAID AT REST.
Complete account of the funeral and burial of President
McKinley—Beautiful and impressive ceremonies—Soldiers guard the
tomb 415
CHAPTER XLII.
NATION OBSERVES BURIAL DAY.
Services held in every part of the United States—The old world
joins in observing McKinley’s burial day—Five minutes of silence 425
CHAPTER XLIII.
ASSASSINATIONS OF LINCOLN AND GARFIELD.
Complete story of the manner in which our other two
martyr-presidents were shot down by assassins 431
NOTABLE ASSASSINATIONS AND ATTEMPTS OF RECENT TIMES.
George III. of England, attempt by Margaret Nicholson on August 2,
1786, and by James Hatfield on May 15, 1800.
Napoleon I. of France, attempt by use of an infernal machine on
December 24, 1800.
Czar Paul of Russia, killed by nobles of his court on March 24, 1801.
Spencer Percival, Premier of England, killed by Bellingham on May 11,
1812.
George IV. of England, attempt on January 28, 1817.
August Kotzebue of Germany, killed by Earl Sand for political motives
on March 23, 1819.
Charles duc de Berri, killed on February 13, 1820.
Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, attempt on January 30,
1835.
Louis Philippe of France, six attempts: By Fieschi, on July 28, 1835;
by Alibaud, on June 25, 1836; by Miunier, on December 27, 1836; by
Darmos, on October 16, 1840; by Lecompte, on April 14, 1846; by
Henry, on July 19, 1846.
Denis Afire, Archbishop of Paris, on June 27, 1848.
Rossi, Comte Pellegrino, Roman statesman, on November 15, 1848.
Frederick William IV. of Prussia, attempt by Sofelage on May 22, 1850.
Francis Joseph of Austria, attempt by Libenyi on February 18, 1853.
Ferdinand, Charles III., Duke of Parma, on March 27, 1854.
Isabella II. of Spain, attempts by La Riva on May 4, 1847; by Merino
on February 2, 1852; by Raymond Fuentes on May 28, 1856.
Napoleon III., attempts by Pianori on April 28, 1855; by Bellemarre on
September 8, 1855; by Orsini and others (France) on January 14,
1858.
Daniel, Prince of Montenegro, on August 13, 1860.
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, at Ford’s Theater,
Washington, by John Wilkes Booth, on the evening of April 14; died
on April 15, 1865.
Michael, Prince of Servia, on June 10, 1868.
Prim, Marshal of Spain, on December 28; died on December 30, 1870.
George Darboy, Archbishop of Paris, by communists, on May 24, 1871.
Richard, Earl of Mayo, Governor General of India, by Shere Ali, a
convict, in Andaman Islands, on February 8, 1872.
Amadeus, Duke of Aosta, when King of Spain, attempt on July 19, 1872.
Prince Bismarck, attempt by Blind on May 7, 1866; by Kullman on July
13, 1874.
Abdul Aziz, Sultan of Turkey, on June 4, 1876.
Hussein Avni and other Turkish Ministers, by Hassan, a Circassian
officer, on June 15, 1876.
William I. of Prussia and Germany, attempts by Oscar Becker on July
14, 1861; by Hodel on May 11, 1878; by Dr. Nobiling on June 2,
1878.
Mehemet Ali, Pasha, by Albanians on September 7, 1878.
Lord Lytton, Viceroy of India, attempt by Busa on December 12, 1878.
Alfonso XII. of Spain, attempts by J. O. Moncasi on October 25, 1878;
by Francisco Otero Gonzalez on December 30, 1879.
Loris Melikoff, Russian General, attempt on March 4, 1880.
Bratiano, Premier of Roumania, attempt by J. Pietraro on December 14,
1880.
Alexander II. of Russia, attempts by Karakozow at St. Petersburg on
April 16, 1866; by Berezowski at Paris on June 6, 1867; by
Alexander Solovieff on April 14, 1879; by undermining a railway
train on December 1, 1879; by explosion of Winter Palace, St.
Petersburg, on February 17, 1880; killed by explosion of a bomb
thrown by a man who was himself killed, St. Petersburg, on March
13, 1881.
James A. Garfield, President of the United States, shot by Charles J.
Guiteau on July 2, 1881.
Mayor Carter H. Harrison of Chicago, shot by Prendergast on October
28, 1893.
Marie Francois Carnot, President of France, stabbed mortally at Lyons
by Cesare Santo, an Anarchist, on Sunday, June 24, 1894.
Stanislaus Stambuloff, ex-Premier of Bulgaria, killed by four persons,
armed with revolvers and knives, on July 25, 1895.
Nasr-ed-din, Shah of Persia, was assassinated on May 1, 1896, as he
was entering a shrine near his palace. The man who shot him was
disguised as a woman and is believed to have been the tool of a
band of conspirators. He was caught and suffered the most horrible
death that Persian ingenuity could invent.
Antonio Canovas del Castillo, Prime Minister of Spain, shot to death
by Michel Angolillo, alias Golli, an Italian Anarchist, at Santa
Agueda, Spain, while going to the baths, on August 8, 1897.
Juan Idiarte Borda, President of Uruguay, killed on August 25, 1897,
at Montevideo by Avelino Arredondo, officer in Uruguayan army.
President Diaz, attempt in the City of Mexico by M. Arnulfo on
September 20, 1897.
Jose Maria Reyna Barrios, President of Guatemala, killed at Guatemala
City on February 8, 1898, by Oscar Solinger.
Empress Elizabeth of Austria, stabbed by Luchini, a French-Italian
Anarchist, at Geneva, Switzerland, on September 10, 1898.
William Goebel, Democratic claimant to the Governorship of Kentucky,
shot by a person unknown on Tuesday, January 30, 1900, while on
his way to the State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky.
Humbert, King of Italy, shot to death on July 29, 1900, at Monza,
Italy, by Angelo Bresci.
Albert Edward, then Prince of Wales, now King of England, attempt by
Brussels Anarchist on April 4, 1900.
William McKinley, President of the United States, shot at Buffalo on
September 6, 1901. Died September 14, 1901.
Chronology
OF
President William McKinley
Born Niles, Ohio, January 29, 1843.
School-teacher, Poland, Ohio, 1860.
Enlisted Union Army June, 1861.
Second Lieutenant September 24, 1862.
First Lieutenant February 7, 1863.
Captain July 25, 1864.
Brevet Major for gallantry, 1865.
Admitted to the Ohio bar 1867.
Elected state’s attorney 1869.
Elected first to Congress 1876.
Re-elected 1878, 1880, 1882, 1884 to 1890.
Elected Governor of Ohio 1891.
Re-elected Governor of Ohio 1893.
Elected President United States 1896.
Re-elected President United States 1900.
Shot by an assassin September 6, 1901.
Died Buffalo, N. Y., September 14, 1901.
[Illustration:
CHARACTERISTIC POSE OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.]
[Illustration:
PRESIDENT McKINLEY AND HIS WAR CABINET OF 1898.]
[Illustration:
PRESIDENT, WM. McKINLEY.]
[Illustration:
MRS. WILLIAM McKINLEY.]
[Illustration:
MR. AND MRS. McKINLEY AND THEIR HOME AT CANTON, OHIO.]
[Illustration:
MRS. McKINLEY, MOTHER OF THE PRESIDENT.]
[Illustration:
Copyright by Clinedinst, Washington, the President’s Photographer.
PRESIDENT McKINLEY TAKING AN AFTERNOON DRIVE.]
[Illustration:
WILLIAM McKINLEY IN HIS CANTON HOME.]
[Illustration:
MISS HELEN McKINLEY.]
[Illustration:
Copyright, 1901, by Clinedinst, Washington, Photographer to the
President.
PRESIDENT McKINLEY IN HIS LIBRARY.]
[Illustration:
PRESIDENT McKINLEY AND MARSHALL EVERETT IN CONSULTATION DURING THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.]
[Illustration:
HEARSE BEARING PRESIDENT McKINLEY’S REMAINS PASSING THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C.]
[Illustration:
U. S. MARINES IN THE McKINLEY FUNERAL PROCESSION, WASHINGTON, D. C.]
[Illustration:
U. S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN THE McKINLEY FUNERAL PROCESSION,
WASHINGTON, D. C.]
[Illustration:
PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT.]
[Illustration:
BUILDING IN WHICH PRESIDENT McKINLEY WAS SHOT, TEMPLE OF MUSIC,
PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION, BUFFALO, N. Y.]
[Illustration:
LEON CZOLGOSZ, THE ASSASSIN OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.]
[Illustration:
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.]
... _The Life_ ...
OF
_President William McKinley_
CHAPTER I.
THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY.
On Friday, September 6, 1901, the blackest Friday in American history,
the American people were shocked and stunned by the news that their
beloved President, William McKinley, had been shot down by a cowardly
assassin, while attending the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo.
It was like a flash of lightning from a clear sky. The people were
stunned into momentary silence. The sign of grief was on the face of
every loyal American, and the hearts of the people beat as one in
sympathy for the stricken chief.
The horror of the tragic event grew when it was learned that the
assassin was an anarchist, and not an insane man as was first supposed.
Then came the full realization that the murderous bullet of the assassin
was aimed not only at the foremost citizen of the Republic, but that the
Red Thing called Anarchy had raised its blood-stained hand against
government, against all peaceable authority and law. It was a blow
struck at all the institutions of society that men hold dear and sacred.
With that wonderful self-control that distinguishes the American people,
loyal citizens restrained the rising passion in their breasts, and their
suppressed rage was further held in check by the word of hope which
followed that the President was yet alive.
Alas! it was but a hope, destined to linger but a few days.
The scene of the assassination was the Temple of Music, at the
Exposition grounds. The day previous was President’s day at the
Exposition, and President McKinley had delivered what many believed to
be the greatest speech of his life. Praises for his wisdom and
statesmanship were ringing around the world.
On the fateful day the President attended the Exposition as a visitor,
and in the afternoon held a reception in the Temple of Music.
The reception to the President was one to which the general public had
been invited. President John G. Milburn of the Exposition had introduced
the President to the great crowd in the Temple, and men, women and
children came forward for a personal greeting.
Among those in line was Leon Czolgosz, whose right hand was wrapped in a
handkerchief. Folded in the handkerchief was a 32–caliber self-acting
revolver holding five bullets.
A little girl was led up by her father and the President shook hands
with her. As she passed along to the right the President looked after
her smilingly and waved his hand in a pleasant adieu.
Next in line came a boyish-featured man about 26 years old, preceded by
a short Italian who leaned backward against the bandaged hand of his
follower. The officers, who attended the President, noted this man,
their attention being first attracted by the Italian, whose dark, shaggy
brows and black mustache caused the professional protectors to regard
him with suspicion.
The man with the bandaged hand and innocent face received no attention
from the detectives beyond the mental observation that his right hand
was apparently injured, and that he would present his left hand to the
President.
The Italian stood before the palm bower. He held the President’s right
hand so long that the officers stepped forward to break the clasp, and
make room for the man with the bandaged hand, who extended the left hand
towards the President’s right.
THE FATAL SHOTS.
The President smiled and presented his right hand in a position to meet
the left of the approaching man. Hardly a foot of space intervened
between the bodies of the two men. Before their hands met two pistol
shots rang out, and the President turned slightly to the left and
reeled.
The bandage on the hand of the tall, innocent looking young man had
concealed a revolver. He had fired through the bandage without removing
any portion of the handkerchief.
The first bullet entered too high for the purpose of the assassin, who
had fired again as soon as his finger could move the trigger.
On receiving the first shot President McKinley lifted himself on his
toes with something of a gasp. His movement caused the second shot to
enter just below the navel. With the second shot the President doubled
slightly forward and then sank back. Secret Service Detective Geary
caught the President in his arms and President Milburn helped to support
him.
ASKS IF HE IS SHOT.
When the President fell into the arms of Detective Geary he coolly
asked: “Am I shot?”
Geary unbuttoned the President’s vest, and, seeing blood, replied: “I
fear you are, Mr. President.”
It had all happened in an instant. Almost before the noise of the second
shot sounded a negro waiter, James F. Parker, leaped upon the assassin,
striking him a terrific blow and crushing him to the floor. Soldiers of
the United States artillery detailed at the reception sprang upon them,
and he was surrounded by a squad of exposition police and secret service
detectives. Detective Gallagher seized Czolgosz’s hand, tore away the
handkerchief and took the revolver.
The artillerymen, seeing the revolver in Gallagher’s hand, rushed at the
assassin and handled him rather roughly. Meanwhile Detective Ireland and
the negro held the assassin, endeavoring to shield him from the attacks
of the infuriated artillerymen and the blows of the policemen’s clubs.
Supported by Detective Geary and President of the Exposition Milburn,
and surrounded by Secretary George B. Cortelyou and half a dozen
exposition officials, the President was assisted to a chair. His face
was white, but he made no outcry.
When the second shot struck the President he sank back with one hand
holding his abdomen, the other fumbling at his breast. His eyes were
open and he was clearly conscious of all that had transpired. He looked
up into President Milburn’s face and gasped: “Cortelyou,” the name of
his private secretary. The President’s secretary bent over him.
“Cortelyou,” said the President, “my wife, be careful about her; don’t
let her know.”
Moved by a paroxysm he writhed to the left and then his eyes fell on the
prostrate form of the assassin, Czolgosz, lying on the floor bloody and
helpless beneath the blows of the guard.
The President raised his right hand, red with his own blood, and placed
it on the shoulder of his secretary. “Let no one hurt him,” he gasped,
and sank back in the chair, while the guards carried Czolgosz out of his
sight.
The ambulance from the exposition hospital was summoned immediately and
the President, still conscious, sank upon the stretcher. Secretary
Cortelyou and Mr. Milburn rode with him in the ambulance, and in nine
minutes after the shooting the President was awaiting the arrival of
surgeons, who had been summoned from all sections of the city, and by
special train from Niagara Falls.
The President continued conscious and conversed with Mr. Cortelyou and
Mr. Milburn on his way to the hospital. “I am sorry,” he said, “to have
been the cause of trouble to the exposition.”
Three thoughts had found expression with the President—first, that the
news should be kept from his wife; second, that the would-be assassin
should not be harmed; and, third, regret that the tragedy might hurt the
exposition.
The news that the President had been shot passed across the exposition
grounds with almost incredible speed, and the crowd around the Temple
grew until it counted 50,000 persons. This big crowd followed the
ambulance respectfully to the hospital, then divided itself into two
parts, one anxious to learn the condition of the President and to catch
every rumor that came from the hospital; the other eager to find the
assassin and to punish him.
Certain it is that if the officials had not used remarkable diligence in
taking Czolgosz out of the way of the crowd he would have been mobbed
and beaten to death.
Czolgosz had been carried into a side room at the northwest corner of
the Temple. There he was searched, but nothing was found upon him except
a letter relating to lodging. The officers washed the blood from his
face and asked him who he was and why he had tried to kill the
President. He made no answer at first, but finally gave the name of
Nieman. He offered no explanation of the deed except that he was an
Anarchist and had done his duty.
A detail of exposition guards was sent for a company of soldiers. A
carriage was summoned. South of the Temple a space had been roped off.
The crowd tore out the iron stanchion holding the ropes and carried the
ropes to the flagpole standing near by on the esplanade.
“Lynch him,” cried a hundred voices, and a start was made for one of the
entrances of the Temple. Soldiers and police beat back the crowd. Guards
and people were wrangling, shouting and fighting.
In this confusion, Czolgosz, still bleeding, his clothes torn, and
scarcely able to walk, was led out by Captain James F. Vallaly, chief of
the exposition detectives; Commandant Robinson, and a squad of secret
service men.
Czolgosz was thrown into a carriage and three detectives jumped in with
him. Captain Vallaly jumped on the driver’s seat and lashed the horses
into a gallop.
Six doctors were at the President’s side within thirty seconds after his
arrival at the hospital, among them the President’s family physician,
Dr. P. M. Rixey. Dr. Roswell Park, a surgeon of national reputation, was
summoned from Niagara Falls, where he was performing an operation, and
Dr. Herman Mynter arrived soon after.
The surgeons consulted and hesitated about performing an operation. The
President reassured them by expressing his confidence, but no decision
was reached when Dr. Mann of the exposition hospital staff arrived.
After another consultation Dr. Mann informed the President that an
operation was necessary.
“All right,” replied the President. “Go ahead. Do whatever is proper.”
The anesthetic administered was ether, and for two and a half hours the
President was under the influence of this.
The wound in the breast proved to be only a flesh wound. The bullet
struck a button and was somewhat deflected. It entered the middle of the
breast above the breast bone, but did not penetrate far. When the
President was undressed for the operation the bullet fell from his
clothing upon the table.
The second and serious wound was a bullet hole in the abdomen, about
five inches below the left nipple and an inch and a half to the left of
the median line. The bullet which caused that wound penetrated both the
interior and posterior walls of the stomach, going completely through
that organ.
It was found also that as a consequence of the perforation the stomach
fluid had circulated about the abdominal cavity.
Further examination disclosed that the hole made by the entrance of the
bullet was small and clean cut, while that on the other side of the
stomach was large and ragged.
A five-inch incision was made and through that aperture the physicians
were enabled to turn the organ about so as to suture the larger bullet
hole. After that had been sewed the abdominal cavity was washed with a
salt solution.
The operation performed on President McKinley at the emergency hospital
left no need for a second operation to follow it almost immediately. Dr.
Mann, who performed the operation, had for his first assistant Dr.
Herman Mynter. His second assistant was Dr. John Parmenter. His third
assistant was Dr. Lee of St. Louis, who happened to be on the exposition
grounds at the time of the tragedy, and placed his services at the
disposal of the President. Dr. Nelson W. Wilson noted the time of the
operation, and took notes. Dr. Eugene Wasdin of the marine hospital gave
the anesthetic. Dr. Rixey arrived at the latter part of the operation,
and held the light. Dr. Park arrived at the close of the operation. It
was Dr. Mann who wielded the knife.
The operation lasted almost an hour. A cut about five inches long was
made. It was found necessary to turn up the stomach of the President in
order to trace the course of the bullet. The bullet’s opening in the
front wall of the stomach was small and it was carefully closed with
sutures, after which a search was made for the hole in the back wall of
the stomach.
This hole, where the bullet went out of the stomach, was larger than the
hole in the front wall of the stomach; in fact, it was a wound over an
inch in diameter, jagged and ragged. It was sewed up in three layers.
This wound was larger than the wound where the bullet entered the
stomach, because the bullet, in its course, forced tissues through ahead
of it.
In turning up the stomach, an act that was absolutely necessary, and was
performed by Dr. Mann with rare skill, the danger was that some of the
contents of the stomach might go into the abdominal cavity, and as a
result cause peritonitis. It so happened that there was little in the
President’s stomach at the time of the operation. Moreover, subsequent
developments tended to show that this feature of the operation was
successful and that none of the contents of the stomach entered the
abdominal cavity. If any of the contents had entered the cavity the
probability is that peritonitis would have set in.
The weapon used by the assassin proved to be a five-barreled
double-action revolver of 32 caliber. Every chamber contained a bullet,
and three remained in the weapon after the shooting.
It was at first reported that the weapon was a derringer, but this
proved to be incorrect.
Many of the accounts of the assassination vary in detail, which is quite
natural under the excitement of the moment, and the fact that no two
persons see and hear alike. One account, given by an eye-witness, which
differs in some respects from the one with which this chapter begins, is
as follows:
“It was about four o’clock, near the close of the reception in the
Temple of Music, and the President, in his customary cordial manner, was
reaching forward, with a pleasant smile, to take the hands of the
good-natured crowd that was pushing forward. A six-foot colored man, who
proved to be a waiter in the Plaza, named James F. Parker, had just
shaken hands with the President and was smiling all over with enjoyment,
when suddenly, behind him, pressed forward the slight figure of a
smooth-faced but muscular young man, whose eyes were wild and glaring,
whose head was drooping, and who seemed to me to have sprung up from the
floor, as I had not observed him before. The President took no special
notice of him, but simply stooped over to shake his hand, without
looking, apparently, at the individual.
“Their palms had hardly touched before I heard two shots in quick
succession. A hush and quiet instantly followed. The President
straightened up for a moment and stepped back five or six feet.
Secretary Cortelyou, who had been standing at his side, burst into
tears, and exclaimed, ‘You’re shot!’ The President murmured, ‘Oh, no, it
cannot be!’ But Secretary Cortelyou and Mr. Milburn had torn open the
President’s vest, and the telltale blood, flowing from the wound in the
abdomen, revealed the fearful truth. The President had dropped into a
chair and now turned deathly pale. Meanwhile, the other wound in the
breast had been uncovered and both Mr. Milburn and Secretary Cortelyou
were in tears. The President, seeing their emotion, put up his hand and
gently murmured that he was all right, or some reassuring words, and
appeared to faint away.
“The Secret Service men, Foster and Ireland, at one bound seized the
assassin, before the smoke had cleared away, and, in fact, before the
sound of the second shot was heard. The negro, Parker, also turned
instantly and confronted Czolgosz, whose right hand was being tightly
held behind him by the detectives and whose face was thrust forward.
Parker, with his clenched fist, smashed the assassin three times
squarely in the face, and was apparently wild to kill the creature,
while all the crowd of artillerymen, policemen, and others, also set
upon the object of their wrath.
“The women in the vast audience were hysterical, and the men were little
less than crazy. The transformation from the scene of smiles and
gladness of a moment before, to the wild, rushing, mighty roar of an
infuriated crowd, was simply awful. The police and military at once set
about the task of clearing the building, which they accomplished with
amazing celerity and good judgment, considering the fact that a crowd of
50,000 at the outside was pressing into the entrance.”
A third narrative is still somewhat different. The narrator recites that
the President, after he had been shot, was calm, seemed to grow taller,
and had a look of half reproach and half indignation in his eyes as he
turned and started toward a chair unassisted. Then Secretary Cortelyou
and Mr. Milburn went to his help. Secret Service Agent S. R. Ireland and
George F. Foster had grappled with the assassin, but, quicker than both,
was a gigantic negro, James F. Parker, a waiter in a restaurant in the
Plaza, who had been standing behind Czolgosz, awaiting an opportunity,
in joyous expectation, to shake the President’s hand. He stood there,
six feet four inches tall, with two hundred and fifty pounds of muscular
enthusiasm, grinning happily, until he heard the pistol shots. With one
quick shift of his clenched fist he knocked the pistol from the
assassin’s hand. With another he spun the man around like a top, and,
with a third, he broke Czolgosz’s nose. A fourth split the assassin’s
lip and knocked out several teeth, and when the officers tore him away
from Parker the latter, crying like a baby, exclaimed, “Oh, for only ten
seconds more!”