Surroundings of McKinley's Birth-His Parentage and Army Experiences-The Murderous Assault at Buffalo-All the World Aroused-Hope of Recovery, but the Wound was Mortal-No Skill or Science Could Save-The Work the President so Loved to do was to be Done no More-He Had Finished His Course-The White House He was not Again to See-It was as by Miracle He Had Been Saved for the Wonderful Testimony of His Death-The Last Hours on Earth.

When William McKinley was born at Niles, Trumbull County, Ohio, January 29, 1843, his father was manager of an iron furnace, and the location was in a part of the country that was deeply interested in the iron industry. He got his interest in the protection of American industry at home. One of the many thrilling incidents of his military life was at Kernstown, where his regiment lost 150 men. General Russell Hastings reports the action when the brigade of Colonel R. B. Hayes was forced in the direction of Winchester, and "just then," says Hastings, "it was discovered that one of the regiments was still in the orchard where it had been posted at the beginning of the battle. General Hayes, turning to Lieutenant McKinley, directed him to go forward and bring away that regiment, if it had not already fallen. McKinley turned his horse and, keenly spurring it, pushed it at a fierce gallop obliquely toward the advancing enemy.

"A sad look came over Hayes' face as he saw the young, gallant boy pushing rapidly forward to meet almost certain death. None

of us expected to see him again, as we watched him push his horse

through the open fields, over fences, through ditches, while a welldirected fire from the enemy was poured upon him, with shells exploding around about and over him.

"Once he was completely enveloped in the smoke of an exploded shell, and we thought he had gone down, but no, he was saved for better work for his country in the future years. Out of this smoke emerged his wiry little horse, with McKinley still firmly seated, and as erect as a hussar.

"McKinley gave the Colonel the orders from Hayes to fall back, saying, in addition: 'He supposed you would have gone to the rear without orders.' The Colonel's reply was: 'I was about concluding I would retire without waiting any longer for orders. I am now ready to go wherever you shall lead, but, Lieutenant, I "pointedly" believe I ought to give those fellows a volley or two before I go.' McKinley's reply was: "Then up and at them as quickly as possible.' And as the regiment arose to its feet the enemy came on into full view. Colonel Brown's boys gave the enemy a crushing volley, following it up with a rattling fire, and then slowly retreated."

There was a great deal of hard fighting in that part of the world and Lieutenant McKinley was in the hot places. President Hayes, giving him his clear due, said that "when he joined the regiment he was then a boy and had just passed the age of 17. He had before that taught school, and was coming from an academy to the camp. He, with me, entered upon a new, strange life a soldier's life-in the time of actual

We were in a fortunate regiment-its Colonel was William S. Rosecrans a graduate of West Point, a brave, a patriotic and an able man, who afterwards came to command great armies and fight many famous battles. Its Lieutenant Colonel was Stanley Matthews-a scholar and able lawyer, who, after his appointment to the Supreme bench, the whole bar of the United States was soon convinced was of unsurpassed ability and character for that high place.

"In this regiment Major McKinley came, the boy I have described, carrying his musket and his knapsack."

The first election of McKinley to Congress was in 1876, and he was a member through the four years of President Hayes; and Mr. and Mrs. McKinley had a second home then in the White House. He served fourteen years in Congress and four years as Governor of Ohio.

His life had been one long schooling for the Presidency—first, the

sturdy school boy and teacher, then the army, a student of law, Congressman and Governor. He never ceased to grow and never grew so fast as when President, unless indeed it was when he was in the army. It was not the personal desire of President McKinley to serve a second term for the Presidency, but he was overruled by public events and a public sentiment that could not be denied. He saw his duty and obeyed, but he put a summary end to the gossip about a third term in this conclusive letter:

"I regret that the suggestion of a third term has been made. I doubt whether I am called upon to give it notice. But there are now questions of the gravest importance before the administration and the country, and their just consideration should not be prejudiced in the public mind by even the suspicion of the thought of a third term. In view, therefore, of the reiteration of the suggestion of it, I will say now, once for all, expressing a long-settled conviction, that I not only am not and will not be a candidate for a third term, but would not accept a nomination for it if it were tendered me.

"My only ambition is to serve through my second term to the acceptance of my countrymen, whose generous confidence I so deeply appreciate, and then, with them, to do my duty in the ranks of private citizenship. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

"Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C., June 10, 1901."

In the "Independent," dated the day before the assassination, appeared an article on "The President at Work," contributed by Col. Albert Halstead, a Washington correspondent, who was on the staff of Governor McKinley in Ohio and with him during the campaign of re-election. This article gives an authentic account of the President's home habits and methods of work in the executive mansion. The President ate his breakfast at eight and spent an hour in reading the papers, going at ten to the Cabinet room, where he had his private office. There he found on his desk a typewritten paper, "The President's Engagements," with the date, with the names of callers who had engagements, and a line stating the purpose. When the caller arrived the President waited for him to state his business, and usually remained standing, "but if he sits down it is time to retire when he rises." President Arthur's rule was to keep on his feet to expedite business.

"It is not always necessary, though better, to make an engagement

to see the President. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Cabinet meeting days, he receives no visitors except Senators and Representatives, and these only from ten to eleven. On other week days he is accessible from ten to half past one. Promptly at the latter hour Captain Loeffler, in charge of the door to the Cabinet room, who has been there since the days of Lincoln, enters and tells the President the hour. That is the signal for luncheon. Except in long protracted Cabinet meetings he never fails to start promptly for the dining room, an invariable rule to prevent irregularity and injury to health. Before his severe attack of grip last winter the President often saw callers in the afternoon from three to four. After luncheon he goes to the 'red bedroom,' now a comfortable sitting room facing south and overlooking the Potomac. There he works, either alone or with his secretary, transacting public business, deciding upon appointments and considering other questions. When he is thus engaged the President is not interrupted, even by Cabinet officers, unless they are summoned. When in health Mrs. McKinley was wont to be there with him, busy with some fancy work.

"At four Mr. McKinley goes out driving with Mrs. McKinley, or takes a walk. Sometimes in the morning, when the weather is favorable, he goes walking with some friend or his secretary. On returning from his afternoon outing he sleeps for half an hour, having the faculty of laying aside cares and going to sleep easily. This nap is more refreshing than rest at any other time. It means renewed strength and peace after a troublesome day, a habit that is his physical salvation. The President is not a sportsman. Hunting or fishing have no charms for him. The Cabinet officers and even Justices of the Supreme Court have been known to play golf or tennis, no President has ever done so. Mr. McKinley is fortunate in requiring little exercise. Walking is his only recreation of this kind, and of that he does comparatively little. While for a time he rode horseback, it has no present charm for him.

"Promptly at seven the President has dinner, often with a friend or official who comes informally. After dinner he relaxes. The entrance to the conservatory is his favorite place to smoke with guests or callers, intimate, personal or political friends, who happen in. Public affairs are sometimes discussed, but this is particularly a period of quiet and relief from care, when he enjoys the society of those he likes best er, with Mrs. McKinley, listens to music. About a quarter of ten

the President goes upstairs to look over important letters with his secretary, sign commissions, dictate letters, write a state paper or dispose of other public business until eleven, when he usually retires. During the Spanish war and the critical days of the Philippine insurrection he was frequently busy with his military advisers until early morning.

"Seldom does a State paper go out without the President's personality impressed upon it. If he does not prepare it himself he generally inspires it. When a Cabinet officer prepares a paper for him it is invariably altered by the President in some phrase or expression, better to express or qualify a meaning. When he makes a change it is usually an improvement, no matter who happened to prepare the document. Cabinet officers say in private that they cannot write anything that will pass muster with the President unless he makes some effective correction. He is particularly careful with proclamations. Now, a Thanksgiving proclamation may seem to be easily drafted, but it is a difficult task. It ought to be original, but so many have been issued that originality is almost impossible. Mr. McKinley begins early on such a task, and he may lay the first or second draft aside for a week, but when it comes forth it is a gem, emphasizing that for which the Nation should be most thankful.

"In writing his messages President McKinley takes the greatest pains. His methods of preparation vary somewhat each year. He may dictate almost an entire message, or write most of it himself with pen or pencil. The first draft simply begins the work. Long before it is written notes have been made, thoughts jotted down and a list of subjects is prepared. That is often changed. It is a guide to the message. Every note is so marked as to be easily identified. The President may be in his room, when an idea strikes him; it is noted; he may be walking or driving and a phrase or epigram, exactly expressing some thought, occurs to him; he will write it on an envelope or whatever paper happens to be handy, or if Mr. Cortelyou is with him it is dictated then and there. Thus, wherever he may be, the President is careful that a thought or expression that can be advantageously used is not lost, but is stored away for future use. This is one of his methods in writing speeches."

The interest the President and Mrs. McKinley took in the Pan-American Exposition was very great. Both looked forward to the cuting with