Buffalo, New York, September 6th, 1901.
The 25th President of the United States of America, William McKinley, walked up the stairs of the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. It was a rather cold September day. The President wore one of his favorite suits, a top hat and carried a cane. He walked alongside his wife, it would only be a few people he had to say hello, standard handshakes, a smile and a good afternoon for good measure. That's it, an hour or, two and this whole business with the "Pan-American Exposition" would be over, and he would be home for dinner.
He approached the doors, an aide quickly ran along in front of him and opened the entrance, where he was greeted with a warm room with even warmer smiles.
"Good afternoon, Mr. President, it an honor to have you here." Said William J. Gomph, the organist who had greeted him and his wife at the door.
"Its an honor to attend, this place is simply marvelous!" Replied the president with a smile and promptly shook the organist's hand.
"If you'll follow me, we can head to the main chamber to where our guests are hoping to meet you" Said Gomph, turning towards the hall.
"Lead on"
They began walking towards the large, handled door. But President McKinley was suddenly intercepted by his secretary, George B. Cortelyou.
"Now Mr. President, you know I don't like this whole business of public receptions they're security risks, I implore you, don't put yourself in any danger, skip the reception." He said, with worry in his eyes. Perhaps Cortelyou was correct in his assumption of the security risk involved in public receptions, but the President would have none of it.
"Now, now George." He began as the doors opened and an applause filled the room, "Why should I? No one would wish to hurt me." said McKinley, with a smile and a gleam in his eye. Famous last words indeed.
McKinley entered the room. Just as it was at the entrance, a room full of warm smiles and their happy owners. He began walking to the right of the room, where the line began, if McKinley had paid close attention, he would have noticed that not all the souls in the room were smiling or happy. He would have noticed one Leon Czolgosz.
He would have noticed the son of Polish immigrants, born in 1873. He was an unemployed factory worker and was living with his family, and very much enthralled with the Anarchist movement. Also, he was very bitter over his unemployment. Regardless, the facts are trivial, and at the end of the day so are the motives for murder.
McKinley continued moving down the line, shacking hands and kissing babies. He was barraged with many "Good afternoon, Mr. President" and "Its an honor to meet you, Mr. President". Of course, it wouldn't last much longer. He arrived at Leon Czolgosz, for the President, he was a peculiar looking figure. Rather foreign looking, short, and strangely, with a handkerchief hiding his left hand. Unfortunately, this set no alarm off for McKinley.
"Good afternoon, young man" Said the president with an uneasy smile, something was wrong. Most people greeted him first, not the other way around.
McKinley extended his arm out.
"Good bye, Mr President" Said Czolgosz, and promptly extending his hand out to reveal a pistol.
"Clink, Clink" the pistol was jammed.
"Oh, shi--" Began Czolgosz, he didn't finish before Secret Serviceman James Parker punched him in the face and tackled him to the ground.
"I suppose, George was correct, there is someone who would wish to hurt me..." Was all McKinley could say before he was rushed out by the rest of his Secret Service detail.
Excerpt: A selection of posts from the Paradox Interactive Forums, discussion titled “What If McKinley Was Assassinated in 1901”, dated November 23rd 2010.
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Introduction: I know, I know! Another AAR! I just can't keep myself on one idea for long. I'm not even going to promise that this one will get finished....
Anyway, credits goes to an amazing TL on AlternateHistory.com called Reds! for the inspiration. I hope you guys enjoy.
The 25th President of the United States of America, William McKinley, walked up the stairs of the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York. It was a rather cold September day. The President wore one of his favorite suits, a top hat and carried a cane. He walked alongside his wife, it would only be a few people he had to say hello, standard handshakes, a smile and a good afternoon for good measure. That's it, an hour or, two and this whole business with the "Pan-American Exposition" would be over, and he would be home for dinner.
He approached the doors, an aide quickly ran along in front of him and opened the entrance, where he was greeted with a warm room with even warmer smiles.
"Good afternoon, Mr. President, it an honor to have you here." Said William J. Gomph, the organist who had greeted him and his wife at the door.
"Its an honor to attend, this place is simply marvelous!" Replied the president with a smile and promptly shook the organist's hand.
"If you'll follow me, we can head to the main chamber to where our guests are hoping to meet you" Said Gomph, turning towards the hall.
"Lead on"
They began walking towards the large, handled door. But President McKinley was suddenly intercepted by his secretary, George B. Cortelyou.
"Now Mr. President, you know I don't like this whole business of public receptions they're security risks, I implore you, don't put yourself in any danger, skip the reception." He said, with worry in his eyes. Perhaps Cortelyou was correct in his assumption of the security risk involved in public receptions, but the President would have none of it.
"Now, now George." He began as the doors opened and an applause filled the room, "Why should I? No one would wish to hurt me." said McKinley, with a smile and a gleam in his eye. Famous last words indeed.
McKinley entered the room. Just as it was at the entrance, a room full of warm smiles and their happy owners. He began walking to the right of the room, where the line began, if McKinley had paid close attention, he would have noticed that not all the souls in the room were smiling or happy. He would have noticed one Leon Czolgosz.
He would have noticed the son of Polish immigrants, born in 1873. He was an unemployed factory worker and was living with his family, and very much enthralled with the Anarchist movement. Also, he was very bitter over his unemployment. Regardless, the facts are trivial, and at the end of the day so are the motives for murder.
McKinley continued moving down the line, shacking hands and kissing babies. He was barraged with many "Good afternoon, Mr. President" and "Its an honor to meet you, Mr. President". Of course, it wouldn't last much longer. He arrived at Leon Czolgosz, for the President, he was a peculiar looking figure. Rather foreign looking, short, and strangely, with a handkerchief hiding his left hand. Unfortunately, this set no alarm off for McKinley.
"Good afternoon, young man" Said the president with an uneasy smile, something was wrong. Most people greeted him first, not the other way around.
McKinley extended his arm out.
"Good bye, Mr President" Said Czolgosz, and promptly extending his hand out to reveal a pistol.
"Clink, Clink" the pistol was jammed.
"Oh, shi--" Began Czolgosz, he didn't finish before Secret Serviceman James Parker punched him in the face and tackled him to the ground.
"I suppose, George was correct, there is someone who would wish to hurt me..." Was all McKinley could say before he was rushed out by the rest of his Secret Service detail.
Excerpt: A selection of posts from the Paradox Interactive Forums, discussion titled “What If McKinley Was Assassinated in 1901”, dated November 23rd 2010.
Originally Posted by Sinclair'36
I think his name was Theodore Roosevelt...
Apparently, he was a progressive politician at the time, and McKinley picked him for his VP because it would help him fight off the influence of the populists and the unions. He was marginalized after a bit, and by World War One was almost totally forgotten.
If McKinley were assassinated, then Roosevelt would become president, which would definitely give a boost to the progressive movement. While it might lead to short-term gains for the working classes, ultimately it might butterfly away the Red May revolution. It was the complete defeat of the progressive wings within the Republican and Democratic Parties that ultimately gave the Socialists/communists the long-term support base they needed.
An interesting thing to note about Roosevelt, he was quite the badass.. Apparently, there are some stories that he killed a cougar, with a knife. Don't know about you boys, but I'll give away our revolution to have that kind of president, bourgeois or not.
-----------------------------------------------------
Introduction: I know, I know! Another AAR! I just can't keep myself on one idea for long. I'm not even going to promise that this one will get finished....
Anyway, credits goes to an amazing TL on AlternateHistory.com called Reds! for the inspiration. I hope you guys enjoy.
