Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-13
MOTHER MCKINLEY
Passes Away at Canton Home
at 2.30 A. NJ, Sunday.
End Was Very PeacefuI--President
and Family at Her Side.
Funeral Services viii Be Public in the Church.
at p. NJ. Tuesday.

Canton. Ohio, Dec. 12.-Mother Nc.
Kinley died at 2.30 A. M. The end was
most beautiful in its quiet and peace
fulness. Mrs. Mckinley seemed to
sleep SO soundly that it was difficult to
tell whether she had yet breathed her
last This condition continued for
half an hour. There was no struggle.
The President and all of her family
were by Der side. There were no
recognitionf. however. Her last con-
seriousness WAS hours before her final
taking away.
Funeral services over the remains of
Mrs. Mary Allison Mckinley will be
held in the First Methodist Episcopal
church of this city, at P. NJ, Tues
day. The interment will follow in
Westlawn cemetery, and, Tuesday
evening, President Mckinley and wife
and officials from Washington who at
tend the funeral will leave for the
Capital. reaching there about noon,
Wednesday. These are the arrange
ments so far as completed since death
Of Mother Mckinley, shortly after ;
o'clock, this morning.
1t was at first thought by the family
that the services should be of a more
homestead. 1t was soon learned,
however, through the pastor of Mrs
McKinley's church and members of the
congregation, that the number Of
friends who desired to attend the OBJ
sequies could not be accommodated
with such arrangements, and church
services should be decided upon.
The services will be simple. consist
ing of words of comfort and eulOgy
by the officiating clergyman and the
singing of several favorite hymns by
the choir. Rev. DIR. Manchester the
pastor of the church has announced
that he will extend an invitation to
have the ministers Of all the churches
of which there are about 30 to occupy
the pulpit and participate in the services.
Pail bearers have been selected from
among the older members of the church
and those who for years have been close
neighbOrs of the deceased. They are
Judge VIM. r. Day. Hon. VIM. A. Lynch,
former mayor r. A. Casside. l.. l.. Mil
Ter. W.. w. Clark Judge T. j. McCarty,
David collars. former mayor. and John
F. Blake
The First Methodist Episcopal church
in which the services are to be held, is
the one in which Mother Mckinley wor-
shipped during her residence in Canton
Three weeks ago. today. she was in her
pew as usual, and though she was nearly
regular all the while. This is also the
congregation with which the President
has always been associated. 1t was in
this church that he was superintendent
of the Sunday school. 30 years ago. and
here that he always attended services
y1,ap1 in 1lxv l..
mother. They last attended together in
September. when the President was here
during his summer vacation The Presi-
dent is a member of the board of trustees
of the church.
At daylight this morning, at the sugges-
ton of some of the older members of the
congregation. that an old-time custom.
now almost obsolete. be observed. to pub
licly announce the death. the bell in the
tower of the church slowly tolled the
years of her age. 1t is coincidence that
Mrs. Mckinley died at almost the same
hour of the day as did her husband. on
Thanksgiving. five years ago.
President Mckinley remained up until
about $50 O'Clock. little more than an
hour after the death and he then retired
for few hours rast During the after
noon he and his brother spent the greater
part of an hour walking about the more
secluded streets near home, securing the
much needed exercise and air. The Pres
else from the trying ordeal of the past
days during which he has kept almost
vigil at the bedside of his
mother.
In the afternoon the President and his
brother drove to Westlawn cemetery,
about mile west of the home to attend
to arrangements for the in
terment which would be made in the
family lot where lies the body of the hus-
band and father and which adjoins the
lot that far more than 20 years has con-
tanned the bodies of two children of the
President.
Today, the President laid clusters of
flowers on the grave of his father, while
the site of the mothers resting place was
being selected.
Messages of coincidence are pouring into
the telegraph office from all quarters and
many friends have already called at the
house to offer sympathy.
Mr.. s. l.. Bowman of Lorraine. the hus-
band of one of Mrs. McKinleys grand
Joined the family circle. this
noon. The children and grandchildren.
except Mrs. George b. Morris of San
a daughter of the late David
Mckinley. and all of the family, were
here for the closing scenes of life. Other
will come for the funeral.
Assistant Secretary Day has remained
as an old friend of the President and is
in making the final arrange
ments.
From reports received here, this even
ing. it is expected that Sec. Bliss. Sec |
Alger. Atty. Gen. McKenna, his wife and |
daughters. Postmaster General Gary and !
Secretary to the President Porter ana |
his wife will reach here. Tuesday MORN |
ng, to attend the funeral services.