William McKinley and his wife, Ida. When he took office in 1897, he defied the protocol of the day, insisting his wife be seated beside him at state dinners, so he could help if a seizure struck her, or cover her face with a handkerchief to ward off an impending attack. When he was fatally shot in 1901, his last thoughts were of her, whispering "My wife - be careful - how you tell her."William McKinley and his wife, Ida. When he took office in 1897, he defied the protocol of the day, insisting his wife be seated beside him at state dinners, so he could help if a seizure struck her, or cover her face with a handkerchief to ward off an impending attack. When he was fatally shot in 1901, his last thoughts were of her, whispering "My wife - be careful - how you tell her."
William McKinley and his wife, Ida. When he took office in 1897, he defied the protocol of the day, insisting his wife be seated beside him at state dinners, so he could help if a seizure struck her, or cover her face with a handkerchief to ward off an impending attack. When he was fatally shot in 1901, his last thoughts were of her, whispering "My wife - be careful - how you tell her."