A Thought to Remember: Highland had special day of mourning after assassination of President McKinley
Highland, in 1901, was a very progressive city, with John Leu Sr. mayor from 1897-1901 and Josias G. Bardill mayor 1901-1903.
Bardill was the new mayor of Highland in 1901. He just served the one term.
“Bardill was elected in 1908 and 1910 to the Illinois House of Representatives. By 1914, he was a candidate for state senator and represented this 47th District for many years. Sen. Bardill was the eastern part of Madison county’s main Republican for civic improvements.”
(Thanks to Lawrence Schwarz, Saline and Grantfork historian.)
The Assassination of President William McKinley was in 1901 and made worldwide headlines. The following is the account of Wikipedia, the free, online encyclopedia, of McKinley’s assassination and then his death in Sept. 14, 1901.
“The 25th president of the United States, William McKinley, was shot and fatally wounded on Sept. 6, 1901, inside the Temple of Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y.
“McKinley was shaking hands with the public when he was shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. The president died on Sept. 14 from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds. McKinley became the third American president to be assassinated, following Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and James A. Garfield in 1881.
“McKinley had been elected for a second term in 1900. He enjoyed meeting the public, and was reluctant to accept the security available to his office. The Secretary to the President George B. Cortelyou feared an assassination attempt would take place during a visit to the Temple of Music, and twice took it off the schedule. McKinley restored it each time.
“Czolgosz had lost his job during the economic Panic of 1893 and turned to anarchism, a political philosophy adhered to by recent killers of foreign leaders. Regarding McKinley as a symbol of oppression, Czolgosz was convinced that it was his duty as an anarchist to kill him. Unable to get near McKinley during the earlier part of the presidential visit, Czolgosz shot McKinley twice as the President reached to shake his hand in the reception line at the temple. One bullet grazed McKinley; the other entered his abdomen and was never found.
“McKinley initially appeared to be recovering, but took a turn for the worse on September 13 as his wounds became gangrenous, and died early the next morning; Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him. After McKinley’s murder, for which Czolgosz was put to death in the electric chair, the United States Congress passed legislation to officially charge the Secret Service with the responsibility for protecting the president.”
“City of Highland issued a proclamation 1901 declaring a day of mourning in honor of the fallen president. The proclamation follows.
“Our nation is bereaved by the terrible crime that has been committed against its chief magistrate. President McKinley, beloved by all law-abiding and liberty-loving citizens, is no more; he has passed the threshold of the martyred. It is befitting that we, as citizens, pay tribute of respect and reverence to his memory. Now, therefore, I Josias G. Bardill, Mayor of the City of Highland, Illinois, proclaim that on Thursday next, Sept. 19, 1901, the day when the President will be laid to rest, shall be a day of mourning and prayer; that all business be suspended during the afternoon; that business and private houses be properly draped; and that all church and public bells be tolled for one hour, commencing 2 o’clock, p.m.
“Union memorial services will be held at Turner Hall at 2 o’clock, p.m., where the people of Highland and the vicinity will assemble to pay homage of love and reverence to our beloved President.
Committees have been appointed to arrange details.
J.G. BARDILL, Mayor.
“Dated at Highland, Ill., this 16th day of September, 1901.”
(Quotes from Lawrence Schwarz, Wikipedia, City of Highland Proclamation, and my files.)
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 3:52 AM with the headline "A Thought to Remember: Highland had special day of mourning after assassination of President McKinley."