President William McKinley’s Last Known Signed Executive Mansion Card, Obtained in Person by Daniel Lockwood, President of the New York State Commission

The envelope is present, bearing postmark of September 7, 1901

 

It may also be the last thing McKinley ever signed, as he was shot the next day

William McKinley liked world fairs. They were, he said, “the timekeepers of progress. They record the world’s advancement.” He had been to the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta two years later. He did not want to miss the Pan-American Exposition to be held in Buffalo during the summer of 1901. The Pan-American Exposition presented a microcosm all of the trends, developments, innovations, and attitudes of the McKinley years. The great and colorful buildings along the Grand Canal, built in Spanish colonial style, symbolized American suzerainty over the hemisphere now that Spain had been pushed aside. And the amazing Electric Tower announced to the world the nation’s technical superiority.

President McKinley departed his home at Canton, OH, by train on the morning of September 4, 1901. After a stop in Cleveland, he arrived in Buffalo at Pan-American Exposition grounds approximately 6:30 p.m. He was met by Exposition president John G. Milburn, and they went immediately to the Milburn residence at 1168 Delaware Avenue, where the McKinleys would stay while they were in Buffalo.

On the morning of September 5, the President and First Lady crossed the Triumphal Causeway and entered the fair grounds in an open carriage preceded by military bands and a mounted honor guard. The President then gave a major address on trade policy to a throng of over 50,000 people. It was to be his final speech. He then proceeded to the Puerto Rican building where he had coffee with Latin American commissioners. For lunch on the 5th, Mrs. McKinley was the guest at a luncheon given by the Women’s Board of Managers. Meanwhile, her husband was whisked away to the western end of the grounds to the New York State building, for lunch. It was a Grecian replica in Vermont marble which commanded the crest of a gentle knoll. At 12:45 the President stepped from his carriage, shook hands with former Congressman Daniel Lockwood, a prominent attorney and President of the New York State Commission. He then moved through a line of exposition police to the impressive entrance.

Next, at 2 PM, was the luncheon at the New York State building, to which Supreme Court Justices, important politicos, foreign functionaries, and Army and Navy brass, had been invited. As the orchestra played “Hail to the Chief”, McKinley strode down the marble staircase leading to the Hall of State, and was seated. After lunch, followed by coffee and cigars, the President entered his carriage. After a long day, he and Mrs. McKinley returned to the Milburns to rest and have dinner. Then they returned to the grounds, this time to watch the Exposition illumination and fireworks from the Triumphal Bridge. Their official agenda for President’s Day at the Exposition was ended.

The next day, the McKinleys emerged from the Milburn house and followed a separate agenda for the day. While Mrs. McKinley remained in Buffalo, the President traveled to Niagara Falls via the Great Gorge railroad and enjoyed the day as a tourist. Returning to Buffalo, he had one more task before a final dinner at the mansion of George Williams: a handshaking reception for the public in the Temple of Music. The public reception began a 4:00 PM; at 4:07 McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. The President died eight days later.

So we see that the last known clear chance McKinley had to sign an autograph was at the luncheon late on the afternoon of September 5. After that he was with the Milburns, and then away sightseeing. We are aware of just two that were signed at that luncheon, and we have acquired both. One is offered here, the other as a separate item.

Elliot C. McDougal was President of the Bank of Buffalo, and a friend of Daniel Lockwood. McDougal asked Lockwood if he would ask the President for his autograph, as he wanted to give it to his son. Lockwood readily complied, and at the luncheon McKinley signed an Executive Mansion card upon which he also wrote “with all good wishes”. It was mailed to McDougal by Lockwood, and the envelope is still present, postmarked Sep 7, 4 PM 1901, the day after the shooting. This was surely the last Executive Mansion card McKinley ever signed, and quite possibly the last thing he ever signed. The card was in the family of the McDougal descendants until 2012, when it was sold to a collector from whom we recently obtained it. We were surprised to find that it existed.