This week marks 124 years since one of the most somber periods in American history, when President William McKinley died from gunshot wounds suffered at the Buffalo World’s Fair. As the nation grappled with its 2nd presidential assassination, the citizens of Fairfield came together in an extraordinary display of community mourning and remembrance.
President McKinley had been shot on September 6th, 1901, while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. After initially appearing to recover, the president took a turn for the worse and died on September 14th. Theodore Roosevelt, who had been vice president, immediately assumed the presidency at age 42, becoming the youngest president in American history.
The tragedy reverberated deeply in Fairfield, where community leaders quickly organized to honor the fallen president. Following President Roosevelt’s proclamation naming Thursday, September 19th as a day of general mourning, Mayor Jos. Ricksher issued his own proclamation calling for the entire community to participate in memorial services.
In a remarkable display of unity, representatives from Fairfield’s various religious societies met with Mayor Ricksher on Monday morning to coordinate the city’s response. They decided to hold simultaneous memorial services at 4 churches: Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian, and Lutheran. The services were scheduled for 2 PM on Thursday afternoon, with practically identical exercises and special music at each location.
Mayor Ricksher’s official proclamation requested that “all secular work be suspended on Thursday, September 19th, from 1-4 PM” and recommended that “all public buildings, business houses, and residences” be draped in mourning. All places of business would close from 1-4 PM to allow citizens to attend the services.
Fairfield’s public schools played a significant role in the memorial observances. Special morning exercises were planned where local citizens would deliver addresses to students. President F. W. Hinitt of Parsons College was scheduled to speak at the high school, while other distinguished doctors, professors, and reverends addressed students at the Logan and Franklin buildings.
After the morning exercises, schools would dismiss for the remainder of the day so pupils could attend the afternoon church services with their families.
George Strong Post No. 19 of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) held a special meeting Monday night to organize their participation in the memorial services. The post, composed of Civil War veterans, requested that all old soldiers and sailors attend services wearing their official buttons and memorial badges.
The veterans also requested that all church bells be tolled prior to the meetings, adding a solemn auditory element to the day’s observances.
The G.A.R. post passed moving resolutions that captured the community’s feelings about the tragedy. They expressed “abhorrence and profound grief at the assassination of our beloved comrade and president William McKinley,” calling his murder “a crime against God, against our civilization, and against free government everywhere.”
The resolutions praised McKinley’s character, describing him as “a dutiful son, a tender and loving husband, a devout Christian, a true and faithful soldier, wise as a legislator and beneficent as executive of this great nation.” They also extended sympathy to Mrs. McKinley “for the loss of her devoted husband.”
The events of September 19th, 1901, in Fairfield represent a remarkable moment when an entire community set aside their daily routines to collectively mourn and honor their fallen leader. The coordination between religious leaders, civic officials, educators, and veterans demonstrates the deep respect McKinley commanded and the unity that tragedy can inspire.
In an era before mass communication, Fairfield’s response shows how quickly and effectively communities could organize meaningful tributes. The decision to involve schools, churches, businesses, and civic organizations ensured that every segment of society could participate in honoring the president’s memory.
Thank you to Jake and Jason with the Carnegie Historical Museum for helping me highlight our county with glimpses into the past every week. Look forward to hearing more about our history every Monday on the radio at 104.3 KRKN at 9 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM, with a news and sports broadcast. Articles will be made available either on Monday or Tuesday.
Here is a link to their website: Carnegie Historical Museum
