This picture is the best profile likeness of the late President It was obtained for exclusive use in this work and is protected by copyright. THE AUTHENTIC LIFE OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY Our Third Martyr President TOGETHER WITH A LIFE SKETCH OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT The 26th President of the United States Profusely Illustrated with Reproductions from Original Photographs, Original the Owners PHILADELPHIA THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. CHICAGO TORONTO Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1901, by W. E. SCULL, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 66 “A Opening Words to The Story of a Martyr GREAT and good man lies dead, and the nation mourns. Such was the sentiment felt in millions of hearts of citizens of the United States of America when, on the Пorning of Saturday, the 14th of September, 1901, the sad tidings were flashed from end to end of the country that their revered and honored President was no more. During the days of that terrible week which succeeded the treacherous assault upon the life of the National Executive, when trusting himself most fully to the honor and good-will of his people, hope wrestled with dread in the hearts of Americans of every type of political faith, every sentiment of national policy. The opponents as well as the supporters of the President stood in spirit by that bedside where the life of one of their noblest was ebbing away, and if silent prayer could ever change the course of nature, it would have been changed in these fateful days. Hope for a time triumphed over despair, and the hearts of the people throbbed with gladness when it seemed as if the fell purpose of the assassin was about to be foiled, and our President restored to health and vigor to finish the work which he had been chosen by the voice of the nation to fulfil. Alas! no one knew that dark disease was even then mining deep within, that death had set his lurid seal upon that noble brow, and that minutes, instead of months or years, marked the term of the President's future life. Hence, when the shock at length came, it was a terrible one. An universal spasm of grief passed from end to end of the land. From far eastern Maine to the western land of gold, from the V |