PRESIDENT WILLIAM McKINLEY - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED CHECK 08/01/1898 - HFSID 30641

WILLIAM McKINLEY
A check signed by the President for the amount of $30.00, dated 1898, just eleven days before the end of the Spanish American War
Check signed: "William McKinley", 7x3. Washington, D.C., 1898 August 1. Drawn on the American Security and Trust Company, the President pays L.M. Barton thirty dollars. Red internal revenue stamp affixed at left, initialed by McKinley "WMcK/8-1-98". McKinley signed this check just 11 days before hostilities between the U.S. and Spain were halted and Spain agreed to give Cuba its independence and cede Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States. Checks signed by Presidents in office are scarce and desirable. William McKinley (1843-1901) represented Ohio as a Republican in the U.S. Congress from 1877-1883 and 1885-1891, and he served as Governor of Ohio from 1892-1896. Elected 25th U.S. President in 1896, McKinley was reelected to a second term in 1900 with a larger plurality of votes than any other Chief Executive before him. The U.S. became a world power during his Presidency, winning a war with Spain (1898) and acquiring overseas colonies (Puerto Rico and the Philippines). On September 6, 1901, at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, President McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. He died on September 14, 1901, the third President to be assassinated. "K" in signature slightly smudged. Multiple folds, touches "c" in McKinley. Tiny cancellation holes and bank stamp, not near signature. Corners slightly worn. Tear through center to left of cancellation holes. Otherwise, fine condition.