The herald., 1897-12-15
TESTIFY TO THE REGARD OF
FRIENDS
The Aged Woman's Pastor Pronounces
an Eloquent Eulogy-The Body
Laid to Rest Until the
Resurrection


Associated Press Special Wire
CANTON, o., Dec. 14.-Although II
rained almost incessantly all day the
crowd attending the funeral Of Mrs.
Nancy Allison Mckinley was numbered
by the thousands. The First Methodist
Episcopal church. doubled in capacity
by throwing open the Sunday school
rooms and gallery, was filled to over
flowing long before the beginning Of
the services. The great rostrum of the
church was bank Of flowers. After the
simple ceremony thousands after thous-
ands passed through the church, each
stopping an instant at the altar to take
last look at the remains. This pro-
cession was composed of 5000 people who
had gained admittance to the church
and thousands of others who stood out
in the rain waiting for the time when
they could get inside the door. pass the
altar and go out Of the other side. When
this had continued an hour It was found
necessary to CLOSE the side door and re-
move the oasket to the funeral car. as
It was feared that the interment would
be delayed until after dark.
During the services and until after. the
remains had been viewed the family 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 Abb
Cleveland. Immediately back OF them
was the aged sister of the departed.
Mrs. Osborne Of Youngstown. sur
rounded by grandchildren and other
near relatives. Back OF these were MEM
bers Of the cabinet, the Washington
visitors, Congressman Taylor, repre-
senting this district, Hon. Whitelaw
Reid Of New York, H. H. Kohlsatt Of
Chicago and many other intimate
friends Of the family from various
points. When the cortege reached the
cemetery the burial ground Of the Nc
Kinley family was surrounded by an
immense crowd, who seemed to give no
heed to the inclement weather.
A canvas canopy had been erected
near the open grave for shelter for the
family and those assisting in the last
sad rites. Here the beautiful wreath Of
flowers which the president and Mrs.
Mckinley had placed upon the graves Of
children they had lost long ago, and Of
the presidents father. brother and Sis
ter, was literally covered with the num-
erous floral offerings sent by sympa-
thizing friends from all over the coun-
try. The hundreds Of floral offerings in
cluded, beside the beautiful pieces sent
by the cabinet and Washington friends,
a large emblem of the g. A. r. in which
the flag was worked out in red and
white carnations, sent by Canton post
of which the president is a member; q
beautiful piece from the presidents old
regiment, the Seventy-third Ohio and
another from the Knights Templar. The
services at the grave were very short
and simple. The casket was tenderly
lowered into the grave by the pail
bearers, and the simple liturgy service
of the M. e. church was read respon-
sively by Presiding Elder E. D. Holtz
Of this district and Rev. e. C. Manches-
ter. Rev. MacAfee Of Columbus pro-
nounced a benediction.
This evening the cabinet officers and
other distinguished officers except the
Mckinley family took dinner at the
home of Mrs. George D. Harter. The
president and immediate family re-
mained at the old homestead until train
time. The special train on which the
Washington party came this morning
left at o'clock this evening. the presl-
dents car Newport" being attached.
During the hours Of the funeral busi-
ness was suspended throughout the
city. Business places and offices were
closed, factories and shops shut down
and all work suspended In courts and
county and city buildings. County and
city officials and members of the bar at
tended the services in body.
THE CABINET MEMBERS
CANTON. O.. Dec. 1.-THE members
OF the Cabinet who came to Canton to
attend the funeral Of Mrs. Nancy ALI
son Mckinley reached here on a special
tradn over the Pennsylvania line at 9:15
this morning. having left Washington
at S:16 last night. The party Is COM
posed Of Secretary Of War Alger and
Mrs. Alger, Secretary Of Interior Bliss
Attorney-0eneral McKenna and Mrs,
McKenna, Postmaster-G General Gary:
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson and
Secretary TO the President Porter and
Mrs. Porter;
The train was met ct the station by
Assistant Secretary Of. State Day. AS
sistant Indian Commisaionsr Tonner;