Poor Ida McKinley

Ida Saxton McKinley (1848 – 1908) was the pretty, wealthy and privileged daughter of a well-to-do Canton, Ohio businessman/banker.  At twenty-three, she married young attorney William McKinley, formerly a brevet-major in the Civil War. His practice was successful, and the Saxtons were delighted when “The Major” proposed to their daughter.  The newlyweds had a baby daughter within a year after their wedding day, and everything was going well for them.

Ida’s second pregnancy two years later left her with two major physical ailments: phlebitis (blood clots) in her knee, which caused pain and lameness; and epileptic seizures which colored the rest of her life. At twenty-seven, she was forced to curtail most activities, and required a cane.

Phlebitis is considered serious, even today. There is a dangerous potential for the clots to break apart and travel to the lungs, with fatal consequences. Today it can be effectively treated, but in 1875, all that could be prescribed was rest, elevation, a cane, and possibly something for the discomfort.

Epilepsy, known since Biblical times, bore a stigma. The word “epilepsy” itself was never used by Ida’s doctors or mentioned by name in the presence of either McKinley. Ida’s seizures were couched in phrases like “fainting spells” or “a nervous condition.” Today it can be successfully treated with medication and careful monitoring, but in the 1870s, there was no treatment other than heavy opiates and sedatives.

Ida’s medical problems also precluded any thought of more children, limiting the McKinley’s private life as well. Then came the final one-two punches: Her little baby, which had triggered the decline of her health, was born sickly and died after a few months. Soon afterwards, little Katie, the darling of their hearts, sickened and died before her fourth birthday. It had been a horrendous year.

It was too much for Ida to handle, and she fell into a severe (and understandable) depression. This in turn developed into what some psychologists might call a personality disorder of intense self-absorption and a strangulating focus on her husband (the only one who was left to her). She became fixated on McKinley to the point that if he were detained, she could become hysterical with worry. And those hysterics frequently triggered a seizure. Her world became extremely small. Her interests revolved solely around herself, her husband and their life together.

Ida McKinley’s Medical Prognoses

One hundred and fifty years later, both modern medical and psychological treatment has advanced enormously. Ida would likely require specialized medication and careful watching even today, but her physical condition and emotional outlook surely would be more fulfilling and less limiting.

In part, to provide a change of scenery for both himself and his distraught wife McKinley, ran for and was elected to Congress. He sold their house in Canton with its sorrowful memories. Since Ida was unable to assume any household responsibilities, he took rooms at the Ebbitt House Hotel. He also engaged a full-time nurse-maid, since his wife could not be left alone for very long. 

But most of all, Ida required a well-regulated regime. No stress. No demands. And no surprises. In 1875, this was a major part of whatever treatments were known and available, and the McKinleys spared no expense consulting physicians. During the next quarter century, they consulted dozens of them, even traveling to New York and Philadelphia, hoping in vain for a cure to Ida’s afflictions.

Ida’s Hobby

Needless to say, with so many doors closed to her, Mrs. McKinley needed to find quiet pastimes and activities to fill her days. One of her hobbies was crocheting yarn slippers. During the next thirty years, it is estimated that she made more than 4,000 pairs. Slippers do not take long to craft, and with practice, Ida became an expert. She likely could crochet a pair a day – or even more, and she taught her aide to piece together the finishing touches.

As a part of the strict routine of her her life, the slippers were always made to the same pattern, although she did make them in various sizes. They were usually in the same colors: gray (for men) or blue (for women). She also made them for children. She disbursed them generously – to friends and family, to friends-of-friends, to casual acquaintances and to total strangers. Thousands of pairs were given to charity.

Every president since George Washington has been inundated with requests for donations to all sorts of charities or institutions. During the McKinley presidency, Ida’s slippers became a godsend. No legitimate charitable request was denied by the President or First Lady. A pair of slippers, hand-made by Mrs. McKinley was graciously sent to be raffled or auctioned off. It is said that considerable sums of money were raised this way. A few pairs still remain today.

McKinley the Beloved

Interestingly enough, Ida refused to remain secluded, and insisted on participating in her husband’s life as much as possible, both before and during their years in the White House. McKinley was delighted to indulge her at every opportunity, although it caused gargantuan travel problems via trains, carriages and unfamiliar settings (since he might need to quickly spirit her away from public humiliation), but Ida accompanied McKinley a surprising amount of time. And always with her crocheting bag in hand.

Ida adored her gentle and very devoted husband who had sacrificed so much of his own happiness to provide for hers. Framed photographs of him surrounded her in every room, wherever she was. In an odd, but touching display of devotion, she selected her favorite photograph of him, and carefully sewed it to the bottom of her crocheting bag. 

This is not a story. It is a good yarn! The bag exists, and yes, McKinley’s photograph is neatly affixed to the bottom.

SOURCES:

Anthony, Carl Sferrazza – First Ladies 1789-1961, William Morrow,1990

Foster, Feather Schwartz – Mary Lincoln’s Flannel Pajamas and Other Stories from the First Ladies’ Closet – Koehler Publishing, 2016

Leech, Margaret – In the Days of McKinley – Harper & Brothers, 1959

Morgan, H. Wayne – William McKinley and His America – Syracuse University Press, 1964…

https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p267401coll36/id/10944/

http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=25