I recently wrote of the McKinley elm that was planted on the west side of the old Jefferson school on South Market Street. It was planted to commemorate the 1892 visit to Jefferson of Gov. McKinley when he was running for President.
I was excited to learn more about the man who was our 25th President and so loved that school children collected pennies to help build a memorial to him after he was assassinated in 1901.
I went on the second part of a three-part trip to cover the Ohio presidential sites of the eight men who were from Ohio, seven of them from birth.
Beginning in Niles, the birthplace of William McKinley, we toured the majestic structure in the middle of town that parallels some of the national buildings in Washington, D.C.
The buildings have free admission and are open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family artifacts and campaign memorabilia give a glimpse into McKinley’s policies and life. The dramatic interior includes a flag display guided and self-guided tours and permanent exhibits in the balcony.
Outside in the courtyard is a stunning garden surrounding a statue of McKinley. McKinley is known for leading our nation to victory in the Spanish-American War, raising protective tariffs to promote American industry and maintaining the nation on the gold standard.
Niles was McKinley’s birthplace, so after your tour of the main memorial museum, you can drive a short distance and tour his actual birthplace home where he entered the world in 1843. The home is fully restored and now contains his political memorabilia including a rare, wall-size poster proclaiming McKinley as the “Advance Agent of Prosperity.”
Although McKinley was born in Niles, he settled in Canton after returning from the Civil War. After leaving Niles, we traveled to Canton to visit the outstanding McKinley Presidential Library, Museum and Memorial. There are 108 steps leading to the top of the memorial that bears the vaults of the President and his wife and two children.
It was in Canton that McKinley met and married Ida Sexton whose wealthy family had several homes and businesses.
He was elected to Congress in 1876 and Ohio governor in 1891 and 1893. It was between those two terms that he visited Jefferson.
McKinley was successful in his presidential race, defeating William Jennings Bryan. He is best known for keeping gold as our standard and high tariffs to restore prosperity.
When Spain refused to grant independence to Cuba after many negotiations, he led our nation in the Spanish-American War of 1898.
In his personal life, McKinley and his wife suffered great tragedy. There two children died within a short space of each other. During her last pregnancy, Ida fell and suffered seizures the rest of her life.
It was deemed unwise for her to be seen as a president’s wife so fragile, so she was confined at home much of the time.
She loved to crochet and wanting to contribute in some way to help others, she began to crochet 4,000 pairs of slippers for wounded veterans, orphans and friends. She also crocheted pairs for charity auctions.
She was stiff from her back injury and almost always photographed sitting in a chair ramrod straight. She was often in pain and although it was visible in her face, she was a bright light to those around her making the best of her situation. Her husband admired and protected her and in an irony of fate, died before she did.
On Sept. 6, 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition, a deranged anarchist walked up to him with his arm wrapped in a bandage hiding a gun. He shot the President twice, once grazing him, the other into his abdomen.
They were unable to remove the bullet in his abdomen and he died just a few days later. He thought of his wife after he was shot and told them to be very careful how they told her.
His last words were, “Goodbye, good-bye to all. It is God’s way. His will be done, not ours.” He was also reported to have repeated portions of the hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.”
It is said that McKinley was the most beloved president since Lincoln. The nation mourned his loss deeply. In 1907, the Monument and grounds opened to the public after years of work. Schoolchildren saved their money and sent it to help build the massive building. You can take an elevator to the top by asking for a handicap pass at the museum and library next door to the monument.
You can tour the Saxton/McKinley home after you tour the First Ladies Museum in a former Canton bank located within walking distance of the McKinley home.
Many have toured the Canton Football Hall of Fame, but fewer have toured the presidential sites. I hope the next time you visit Canton or Niles, you take advantage of these great educational sites.
