Name/Title
NewspaperEntry/Object ID
2016.2.90Description
Akron Beacon Journal
picture: A credenza in Mary Cain's room devoted to the McKinleys holds memorabilia, including a glass bread plate with the slain president's last words inscribed: "It is God's way. His will be done."
True tales of McKinleys
Stark historian tackles several writing projects, with book as ultimate goal
by Andale Gross
Beacon Journal staff writer
Canton: Her name doesn't appear on the family tree, but Mary Cain probably knows as much about the McKinleys as any relative does.
She recites little-known facts about William McKinley, the 25th president, and his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley. She spins first-family stories with striking details.
"I always was interested in history," said Cain, 55, of Canton. "It satisfied a need in me, so I started writing about it. ... I got hooked on the McKinleys, because their story is so unique. William McKinley probably was the most popular president, but his accomplishments are rarely known.
Because of her, that may change. After finishing a couple of other writing projects on Ida McKinley, the longtime historian plans to complete what she calls "a definitive book on the McKinleys."
"The books now are cookie-cutter," Cain said as she began listing some of the more common McKinley tidbits. "He was a Civil War hero. He always dressed to the nines. He always wore red carnations. His wife was epileptic."
Cain has three McKinley projects in the works. She is contributing an extensive profile of Ida McKinley to an anthology of first ladies that will be published this year by Salem Press of Pasadena, Calif.
Her second project will have her writing the Ida McKinley volume of the first-ladies encyclopedia set. It will be among the first five volumes that Nova Science Publishers of Commack, N.Y., plans to release this year.
Finally, Cain wants to write a comprehensive book about the McKinleys, both of whom were Ohio natives with Canton ties. She hopes her work on the anthology anf encyclopedia will help attract an interested publisher.
Known for knowledge
Throughout the area, Cain is known for her passion for history. She has been chosen to serve on the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, where she will head the presidential sites committee.
Residents especially turn to her for information on the McKinleys. She has researched the couple for 21 years and owns more than 300 books about them.
She has donated her extra copies to Stark County's main library.
Cain takes her obsession a step further by playing Ida McKinley on tours of the National First Ladies' Library, which is housed in the former first lady's restored childhood home on Market Avenue South in downtown Canton.
"When she portrays Ida McKinley, she really captivates people," said Pat Krider, the library's executive director. "She really gets into the role and plays it with a lot of emotion."
Devoting more time to the McKinleys will mean pushing other things aside. Cain is finding out how tough this might be. She asked to resign from the board of trustees of the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority, where she is president.
But Canton Mayor Richard Watkins, who appointed her to the board in 1992, asked her to reconsider.
Yesterday, she did. Her term expires in 2003.
Watkins said the other board members need Cain's direction. "It's very important to the future development of SARTA," he said.Collection
BlaneyAcquisition
Accession
2016.2.0Source or Donor
Eileen B. BlaneyAcquisition Method
Gift