Memorial Ribbons in Honor of President McKinley

Author and local historian Hewson L. Peeke donated two memorial ribbons which had been issued in honor of President William McKinley, who died on September 14, 1901, after having been shot by Leon Czolgosz on September 6, 1901. The body of William McKinley lay in state in Buffalo, New York and at the White House in the nation’s capital before being returned to Canton, Ohio for funeral services and burial. In Sandusky impressive funeral services were held at the Opera House on Thursday, September 19, 1901. A Masonic parade took place in downtown Sandusky, while businesses closed out of respect for the deceased President. Many government offices and places of business were decorated with patriotic and mourning bunting.

Speakers at the Sandusky Opera House memorial service in honor of President McKinley included Judge Charles Reed, Mayor J. J. Molter, T.W. Bookmyer, E.B. King, H.M. Linn, John T. Mack, Theodore Alvord, the Rev. Clement G. Martin, and the Rev. Winfield Baer. Hymns sung at the service were “Nearer My God to Thee” and “Lead Kindly Light.” Thousands of individuals also attended the funeral in Canton, Ohio. The entire National Guard of Ohio was mobilized to participate in the funeral, including Company B of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, of Sandusky, under the command of Captain C. B. Wilcox.

Two years after the death of President William McKinley, a statue of the former President was unveiled in front of the Lucas County Courthouse in Toledo, Ohio. 26,000 residents of Toledo raised funds for the statue through subscriptions. According to an article in the September 15, 1903 issue of the Sandusky Register, the men of Company B of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, from Sandusky were present at the unveiling of the monument on September 14, 1903.