The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-10-26

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25-Very Geld and
dreary appeared the white facade of the
presidents home in the chill and frosty
air of the gray and misty autumn morn
ing. The watchmen paced their beats at
the gates; the grounds were deserted, and
the only sound was that made by the
rustling of the sere and yellow leaves
which dropped from the stately elms and
oaks at every light puff of air upon the
green sward already so thickly carpeted.
Mrs. Harrison had died with tho leaves
and the flowers she loved so well, and her
life had ebbed away at that awe-inspiring
hour of night which precedes the first
flush of dawn; when the blood runs slowly,
and nature itself seems to have almost
suspended its functions. The news of her
death gave rise to universal expressions of
sympathy. There were signs of mourning
about the city at an early hour in the flags
which droped at half mast on the public
buildings and on hotels and private
houses. But because of the non official
position of the presidents wife these
demonstrations of sympathy were purely
voluntary, and the wheels of the city's life
revolved much as usual. The people going
to their work glanced at the headlines in
the morning Post. and, exchanging few
sympathetic words, went on their way
with sober faces, and the routine of the
day proceeded.
Punctilious to degree, many of the
members of the diplomatic corps fastened
early to the White House and left their
cards. Various entertainments prepared
" "A har n hnp
abandoned on account of Mrs. Harrison'S
death. Although the wife of the president
is held as strictly private individual, the
death of Mrs. Harrison will be made the
subject of good deal of.that formal notice
which ordinarily accompanies the death of
president. In all foreign countries the
minister of foreign affairs will call upon
our legations and express the sovereign's
sympathy. In this city the foreign minis
ters will call on the secretary of state and
extend to him, for Transmission to the
president, messages expressing their own
personal sympathy, as we'll AS those sent
by their home governments. Later these
messages will be more fully and formally
expressed in writing, and SO placed on hle
in the state department.
The death of Mrs. Harrison will inter
rupt for some time the social functions of
Washington. The vice president and
Mrs Morton and the members of the
the official family OF the president, it is
understood, will go into mourning, and
will therefore Withdraw from all particle
patton in social events for one month.
This custom obtains in foreign countries
upon the death of queen. There seems
no other way for them to publicly express
their sense of personal sympathy for
the grief which has come to the chief
executive.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
After the end had come this morning
the president retired to his own room, al.
joining that in which Mrs. Harrison died,
and lay upon his bed. He passed the early
hours of the morning i'll strict seclusion.
Shortly after O'Clock, as is his custom, he
arose and descended to the breakfast room,
where he was joined by the other members
of the family at s O'Clock. The meal was
soon over, and the president and family at
once returned to the private parlor of the
mansion. The presidents grandchildren
Were given their breakfast after the elder
members OF the family, and, in company
with their nurses. they were taken ont for
their usual morning walk In the White
House grounds.
Soon after breakfast tho president was
Joined in his room by Rev. DR.. Hamlin,
pastor of the Church of the Covenant. who
spent some time with him. Attorney
General Miller was early at the executive
mansion ana saw the president. Secretary
Tracy called little later, and also spent a
few moments with the president. The
secretary has never recovered from the
affiiction he suffered in the tragic death of
his wife. and he knew well the feelings of
the grief-stricken man to whom he came
to tender his coincidence, as the president
and Mrs. Harrison had done to him SO
tenderly and thoughtfully in his own great
bereavement.
The president is bearing up remarkably
well in his deep affiictlon. The traces of
his great sorrow are plain and unmistak-
able. but apparently ne has nerved himself
to face the affictiou with fortitude. He
and other members of the family are
bravely enduring the strain on them, and
their grief. though painfully evident, is
we'll controlled. Those who saw the presi-
dent found his eyes red with weeping and
his voice broken with emotion. but he con-
stantly endeavored TO repress his feelings
Postmaster General Wauamaker aud
Secretary Noble who, with the attorney
general and Secretary Tracy, are the only
members of the cabinet in the city, also
called this morning and each passed about
halt an hour with the president. Secre-
taries John w. Foster and Charles Foster
will reach the city tomorrow. 1t is not
known whether Secretary Rusk will be
able to reach Washington in time for the
ceremonies, or when Secretary Elkins will
arrive. 1t was the expressed WISH OF the
president TO the members of the cabinet
who called this morning that the affairs
of the government be proceeded with as
usual. and, in Difference to this request
the heads Of the several eXecutiys depart
ments were at their desks during the
greater part OF the day, and the depart
ments remained open usual 1t is ex-
pected that such members of the cabinet
as can safely leave their official duties will
accompany the funeral party TO Indianapo-
lis in the capacity of honorary pail bearers
The guard of special officers detailed
Immediately on the death of Mrs. Har-
rison 10 prevent the entrance of intruders
into the White House or its grounds was
maintained this morning, and no one
could enter without some special reason
The flagstaff on the building was bare
this morning. Mr.. Halford explained
that the president was averse to having il
placed at half-mast, SO it was determined
that, rather than have 1t fly as usual. To
refrain from displaying il at all at present
The public buildings are open. aud the
flags at haif-masu are the only puoiic in-
dications of the death in the executive
mansion. A number OF lady friends of
The family called and left notes of con-
dolence, most of them for the ladies of the
household. Chief Justice Fuller of the
supreme court called, on his way to the
court room, to express his coincidence
and TO learn the presidents wishes, In
order that he might communicate them TO
his associates. He WAS shown into Private
Secretary Haiford's room. but did not see
the president. Lieutenant barker of the