Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-12-18
THE MEINLEY FUNERAL
Presidents Venerable Mother Laid
in the Grave.
TOTAL SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS.

Al the Inhabitants OF Canton Assem-
biod Co Do Homer co the Dead, ana
While the Funeral Services Were fn
Progress Thieves Were Busy.
Canton. o.. Dec. 1s.-Mrs. Nancy Al
lison Mckinley, the aged mother Of the
president. died shortly after o'clock
yesterday morning. Almost two weeks
had elapsed since the stroke OF paraly-
sis. which was at once pronounced ia
tai. and the wonderful vitality which
had kept death At bay 50 long had
aeluded the friends and relatives into
the belief that the aged woman might
perhaps recover. despite the verdict OF
her physician
Cantsn. o.. Dec 15.-AlthouEh Il
rained almost necessarily all day, the
crowd attending the funeral Of Mrs.
Nancy Allison Mckinley was numbered
by thousands The First Methodist
Episcopal church. doubled in capacity
by throwing open the Sunday school
rooms and gallery. was filled to ever
flowing long before the services began.
The rostrum Of the church was a bank
Of flowers. After the simple ceremony
thousands after thousands passed
through the church. each stopping an
instant at the altar TO take a last leok
at the remains. This procession was
composed OF 5000 people, who had
gained admission to the church, and
Thousands OF others who stood outside
IN the rain waiting the time when they
could get In one side door. pass the
altar and &c out at the other side
When this had continued an hour It
was found necessary to close the side
dsers and remove the casket to the
funeral car. as it was feared that the
intsrment would be delayed until after
dark
During the services and until after
the remains had been viewed the fam
lily and close friends occupied the front
pews Of the central section of the
church. With the president, in the first
pew. was his sister, Miss Helen. and
his Brother, Abner. with their sister.
/ Mrs. Duncan. of Cleveland Immediate
| ly back Of them was the aged sister of
| the departed. Mrs. Osborne. OF Youngs-
tewn. surrounded by grandchildren and
| other relatives Back Of these were
/ members OF the cabinet and the Wash
ington visitors, Congressman Taylor,
representing this district; Hon white
law Reid Of New York. H III. Kohlsaat
Of Chicago and many ether very in
innate friends Of the family from va
rious points.
When the cortege reached the Gene
terry the burial ground Of the Mckinley
family was surrounded by an immense
crowd. who seemed to give ne heed to
the inclsment weather. A canvas can
opy had been erected near the open
grave for the shelter OF the family and
these assisting in the last rites. Here
the beautiful wreath Of flowers which
the president and Mrs. Mckinley had
placed upon the graves OF the children
they lost lcng ago and OF the PRESIDENT
father. brother and sister were literally
covered with the numerous floral OF.
ferings sent by sympathizinE friends
; from all over the country. The hun.
, dreds OF floral offerings ineIuoeo, be-
sides the beautiful pieces sent by tn,
cabinet and the Washington friends,
large emblem of the G. A r., in which
the nag was worked cut in red anC
white carnations. sent by Canton post
Of which the president IL q member.
The exercises at the grave were yer.
short and simple The casket wa
lowered into the grave by the pail
bearers and the simple service of tn
Methodist Episcopal church was rea.
responsibility by Presiding Elder e. L
Holtz. OF this district, and Rev. r. {
. Manchester. Rev. MacAfee. OF Colum
bus, PronouncinG a benediction-
In the evening the cabinet officer
. and other distinguished visitors excep
the Mckinley family took dinner at tn
home Of Mrs George D. Harter. Th
president and the immediate fam!l
remained at the old homestead unit
b train time The special train 70
Washington left at $50 o'clock las
4 evening. the presidents car, New
, | port" being attached.
n During the hours OF the funeral bus
: ness was suspended throughout tn
city. Business places and ofices wer
closed factories and shops shut dow
and all work suspended in the court
and county and city buildings. Count
and city officials and members of tn
bar attended the services IN a body.
n During the progress OF the tuners
several robberies occurred. The HON
OF Erwin Marshall was entered and
large quantity OF jewelry secured.
@. Kramer's establishment, opposIt
: the church. was looted of diamond
n watches ana other jewelry. The polio
arrested q man who Just got out
= the workheuse. and part Of the missin
articles were recovered. A number
pockets were also picked OF valuable