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A review by cancermoononhigh
Ida McKinley: The Turn-Of-The-Century First Lady Through War, Assassination, and Secret Disability by Carl Sferrazza Anthony
5.0
This was my first introduction to the McKinley's, their legacy and their lives. It was like reading fiction, it flew so well together. I truly enjoyed Ida and would like to know more about her Major, if he truly was as devoted as her appeared in this book.
Ida was a leader among the patriotic girls of Canton Ohio during the Civil War, where she spent hours preparing bandages for the wounded Union Soldiers. She was the eldest of 3 and very close to both parents. Ida was quite well traveled, educated and independent by the time she crossed paths with the Major, William McKinley. After the two married, the Major informed Ida that he wanted to follow Governor Hayes into politics. After their honeymoon Ida even declared that her husband would one day be President.
The beginning of their marriage is quite sad, in less than 3 years Ida lost her grandmother, mother, two daughters, Katie and Little Ida, the loss of control of her body and mind. Ida was dealing with chronic disabilities - spinal injury, immobility of one leg, blinding headaches, seizures and was quite vulnerable to infection, due to her immune system being low because of her pregnancy with little Ida. Their were many first eye experiences that saw Ida during that time - how she would slump over or fall and had to be carried from her carriage or even up stairs with the help of her husband.
Epilepsy was not the disease to her before the turn of the century. Those with Epilepsy were not allowed to married and the majority of suffers died in insane asylums across the nation. Ida was disinterested in her disabilities and left her care up to her husband the Major. We don't learn too much more about her health from the Major - most of her discussions were done in person, or the letters were destroyed. Much of her illness today is shrouded in mystery because of the secretive nature of her husband. We do know for about 30 years the medicine the Major was giving her actually led to bromism, which did not eliminate the seizures and led to a more damaged central nervous system.
As the Major's political circle began to widen her condition was shrouded in mystery - her fevers, colds and use of the cane was blamed on her invalidism. The Major was known for his devotion to Ida, he was known to make a reference to her in every meeting and had a massive photograph of her above his desk. His devotion did not come across as showy, but was useful in dealing with lobbyists, journalists and politicos because they were less likely to exploit as gentle soul such as McKinley.
Ida's individualism was used in almost every major campaign for the Major. If fact one slogan went so bold to print, "McKinley the man whose constancy and devotion to an invalid wife not only endears him to every family in Ohio, but commends him as being 'the model' husband to every household in America." McKinley simply made use of his responsibilities for his wife, deriving benefit from his acts of love for Ida. Ida, for her part, publicized the husband's devotion to her, it helped ease her guilt over being unable to help his political career as much as she felt she should have.
When Ida would have a seizure McKinley or another intimate who knew about her condition, would place a large napkin over her face and continue on as if it was not occurring. It was an unsaid rule that no one brings up her episodes. The President would cut off even polite inquires after she had a seizure.
Before the McKinley's left for Buffalo, Ida was very against going, although offering no reason as to why. McKinley refused any attempts of Secret Service. McKinley was heard saying, "If not for Ida, I would prefer to go as Lincoln went. Mckinley was shot twice in a receiving line in Buffalo, New York. No one thought about retrieving the X Ray Machine in display to locate the bullet in the President's back. The bullet remained in him, the wound was closed and disinfection applied. As soon as Ida was informed of the Major's injuries she declared that she must be with him. Ida was confronted with the fact that someone had harmed the person she counted on most to protect her. That confrontation seemed to transform Ida into an assertive and embolden person - almost the girl she was. She was also not with him when the Major died, she was in bed. She was also not told right away. The people around Ida seemed the hardest to keep her from what was going on.
The relationship with the Roosevelt's and Ida benefited her greatly after the passing of her husband. Ida was always a big fan of Roosevelt and Roosevelt in return respected the McKinleys. President Roosevelt granted Ida what she wanted, even as others around her told her no.
Edith would send Ida flowers and in return Ida would send her a note and sometimes dry flowers from the President's grave.
Eleven days before her 60th birthday Ida died. The cause of death was a "brain tumor." Whatever medical issues Ida had, died with her. Five days later at her memorial service, President Roosevelt summed it their marriage up the best, "her faith inspired him, her confidence assured him, her very weakness strengthen him."
*Fun fact - Ida's favorite color was Blue - it seemed to soothe her. Yellow was her least favorite.
*Fun Fact - Ida's brother was murdered.
Ida was a leader among the patriotic girls of Canton Ohio during the Civil War, where she spent hours preparing bandages for the wounded Union Soldiers. She was the eldest of 3 and very close to both parents. Ida was quite well traveled, educated and independent by the time she crossed paths with the Major, William McKinley. After the two married, the Major informed Ida that he wanted to follow Governor Hayes into politics. After their honeymoon Ida even declared that her husband would one day be President.
The beginning of their marriage is quite sad, in less than 3 years Ida lost her grandmother, mother, two daughters, Katie and Little Ida, the loss of control of her body and mind. Ida was dealing with chronic disabilities - spinal injury, immobility of one leg, blinding headaches, seizures and was quite vulnerable to infection, due to her immune system being low because of her pregnancy with little Ida. Their were many first eye experiences that saw Ida during that time - how she would slump over or fall and had to be carried from her carriage or even up stairs with the help of her husband.
Epilepsy was not the disease to her before the turn of the century. Those with Epilepsy were not allowed to married and the majority of suffers died in insane asylums across the nation. Ida was disinterested in her disabilities and left her care up to her husband the Major. We don't learn too much more about her health from the Major - most of her discussions were done in person, or the letters were destroyed. Much of her illness today is shrouded in mystery because of the secretive nature of her husband. We do know for about 30 years the medicine the Major was giving her actually led to bromism, which did not eliminate the seizures and led to a more damaged central nervous system.
As the Major's political circle began to widen her condition was shrouded in mystery - her fevers, colds and use of the cane was blamed on her invalidism. The Major was known for his devotion to Ida, he was known to make a reference to her in every meeting and had a massive photograph of her above his desk. His devotion did not come across as showy, but was useful in dealing with lobbyists, journalists and politicos because they were less likely to exploit as gentle soul such as McKinley.
Ida's individualism was used in almost every major campaign for the Major. If fact one slogan went so bold to print, "McKinley the man whose constancy and devotion to an invalid wife not only endears him to every family in Ohio, but commends him as being 'the model' husband to every household in America." McKinley simply made use of his responsibilities for his wife, deriving benefit from his acts of love for Ida. Ida, for her part, publicized the husband's devotion to her, it helped ease her guilt over being unable to help his political career as much as she felt she should have.
When Ida would have a seizure McKinley or another intimate who knew about her condition, would place a large napkin over her face and continue on as if it was not occurring. It was an unsaid rule that no one brings up her episodes. The President would cut off even polite inquires after she had a seizure.
Before the McKinley's left for Buffalo, Ida was very against going, although offering no reason as to why. McKinley refused any attempts of Secret Service. McKinley was heard saying, "If not for Ida, I would prefer to go as Lincoln went. Mckinley was shot twice in a receiving line in Buffalo, New York. No one thought about retrieving the X Ray Machine in display to locate the bullet in the President's back. The bullet remained in him, the wound was closed and disinfection applied. As soon as Ida was informed of the Major's injuries she declared that she must be with him. Ida was confronted with the fact that someone had harmed the person she counted on most to protect her. That confrontation seemed to transform Ida into an assertive and embolden person - almost the girl she was. She was also not with him when the Major died, she was in bed. She was also not told right away. The people around Ida seemed the hardest to keep her from what was going on.
The relationship with the Roosevelt's and Ida benefited her greatly after the passing of her husband. Ida was always a big fan of Roosevelt and Roosevelt in return respected the McKinleys. President Roosevelt granted Ida what she wanted, even as others around her told her no.
Edith would send Ida flowers and in return Ida would send her a note and sometimes dry flowers from the President's grave.
Eleven days before her 60th birthday Ida died. The cause of death was a "brain tumor." Whatever medical issues Ida had, died with her. Five days later at her memorial service, President Roosevelt summed it their marriage up the best, "her faith inspired him, her confidence assured him, her very weakness strengthen him."
*Fun fact - Ida's favorite color was Blue - it seemed to soothe her. Yellow was her least favorite.
*Fun Fact - Ida's brother was murdered.