William McKinley (President #25) (1897-1901)

Twenty Fifth President of the United States of America

 William McKinley is number 25.

He was cheerful. wise and respectful.

He was a good student and worked as a teacher.

Wouldn't you know it he studied law.

William McKinley had many firsts.

He was first in an automobile. (Of course that was after being shot)

He was first to use the telephone to campaign.

His inaugural speech as the first to be filmed.

William McKinley was friends with Rutherford B Hayes.

How? well, just as you might have suspected he was in the war.

He volunteered to fight for the Union in the Civil war. 

Rutherford even wrote that William McKinley was the bravest and finest young officer in the army.

William McKinley was known for the Spanish- American war.

Cuba was at war with Spain and at first he wanted to stay out of it.

However, things got a little messy when a US ship was blown up.

So William called war on Spain as a result the US become a world power.

William McKinley had a parrot that whistled the first part of the tune to Yankee Doodle.

He also thought a red carnation was his lucky charm. He was wearing one when he got shot.

His wife hated the color yellow so much she had every trace of it removed from the white house even the lawn flowers. (I wonder what she thought of the sun)

William McKinley intended to be a Methodist minister. 

William McKinley was shot twice. One bullet hitting a button and the other hitting his abdomen.

The only doctor around was a gynecologist.

He was unable to find the bullet.

Must have been a sticky situation to be in. (I know that's bad I'm sorry)

It is even said that Robert Todd Lincoln was near McKinley when he was shot.

Coincidence? I think not!

Robert was also neat his father after he got shot and arrived at the Washington railroad station as James Garfield.

I guess you could say Over my dead body. Oh wait!

So this is William McKinley.

Number 25 with many first.

A personality some presidents need to adopt.

He had a bullet in a hole even a gynecologist couldn't find. (still bad I know)

Reviews

[trainwreck]

Wow! I learn so much about the presidents every time I read this book. Thank you for making them so approachable.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very interesting tale for President McKinley. He had a good life. He did many things. Thank you for the excellent description of a good President.
Coyote

[Ahmad Cox]

Another wonderful president and another wonderful poem down.