President McKinley in Woodstock
Files
Dublin Core
Title
President McKinley in Woodstock
Subject
McKinley, William
Woodstock (Va)
Description
On May 20th, 1899 William McKinley, President of the United States, travelled through Shenandoah County aboard a special B&O Railroad Coach. The President was returning to Washington DC after spending time vacationing in Hot Springs Virginia.
During his trip the President stopped at several local towns. Newspaper reports indicate he stopped in Timberville, Mt. Jackson, and Woodstock. These accounts fail to mention any visits to other locations.
His time in the county included two notable moments. In Mt. Jackson a “cake walk” was underway and delegations from all the towns were present for entertainment and festivities. The prominent performer at the event was R.J. Walker who dressed in dark face, impersonated the “negro character,” and played “their music” for the crowd.
When the President arrived he was presented with the largest cake from the walk. The Shenandoah Valley newspaper concluded its coverage by reprinting a telegram thanking the town for the cake to dispel the rumor that the President had feared the cake was poisoned and had thrown it out near Hawkinstown.
In Woodstock a large crowd and dignitaries greeted him at the depot. J.H. Williams, a prominent regional politician, greeted him and called Woodstock a “provincial town” which was dedicated to the principals of it Muhlenberg and its forefathers, even though they did not always support the President’s political views. President McKinley responded “I am aware of it-and am glad to meet you.” Williams also referred to McKinley’s Civil War service in the Valley and told the President “When you were here before, I...shot at you.”
Today, many local residents would never imagine that the President of the United States would stop in Shenandoah County, visits with residents, or eat a cake from Mt. Jackson. If he was here, what would you tell him?
During his trip the President stopped at several local towns. Newspaper reports indicate he stopped in Timberville, Mt. Jackson, and Woodstock. These accounts fail to mention any visits to other locations.
His time in the county included two notable moments. In Mt. Jackson a “cake walk” was underway and delegations from all the towns were present for entertainment and festivities. The prominent performer at the event was R.J. Walker who dressed in dark face, impersonated the “negro character,” and played “their music” for the crowd.
When the President arrived he was presented with the largest cake from the walk. The Shenandoah Valley newspaper concluded its coverage by reprinting a telegram thanking the town for the cake to dispel the rumor that the President had feared the cake was poisoned and had thrown it out near Hawkinstown.
In Woodstock a large crowd and dignitaries greeted him at the depot. J.H. Williams, a prominent regional politician, greeted him and called Woodstock a “provincial town” which was dedicated to the principals of it Muhlenberg and its forefathers, even though they did not always support the President’s political views. President McKinley responded “I am aware of it-and am glad to meet you.” Williams also referred to McKinley’s Civil War service in the Valley and told the President “When you were here before, I...shot at you.”
Today, many local residents would never imagine that the President of the United States would stop in Shenandoah County, visits with residents, or eat a cake from Mt. Jackson. If he was here, what would you tell him?
Source
Clippings Collection
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
May 20, 1899
Citation
“President McKinley in Woodstock,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed April 19, 2024, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/6878.
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