President William McKinley decided to become a Freemason when he saw acts of compassion by a Union soldier toward Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. The Union Brother who extended the kindness told McKinley, "It makes no difference to me; they are Brother Masons in trouble and I am only doing my duty." "If that is Masonry," replied McKinley, "I will take some of it myself." At that, McKinley petitioned for membership. Even though he was a Union Major at the time, he was initiate
