Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-12-18
l'HE NhINIBY FUNERAL.
Presidents Venerable Mother Laid
in the Grave.
TOTAL SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS.
All the Inhabitants of Canton Assem-
bled to DO Honor to the Dead, and
While the Funeral Services Were In

All the Inhabitants of Canton Assem-
bled to Do Honor to the Dead, and
While the Funeral Services Were In
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
deluded the friends and relatives into
the belief that the aged woman might
perhaps recover. despite the verdict of
her physician.
Canton, O., Dec. 15.-Although 1t
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 filed to over
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 last look
at the remains. This procession was
composed of 1900 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 go out at the other side.
When this had continued an hour 1t
was found necessary to close the side
doors and remove the casket to the
funeral car, as 1t was feared that the
interment 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-
town, 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. H. Kohlsaat
Of Chicago and many other very in
innate friends of the family from va
rious points.
When the cortege reached the ceme-
terry the burial ground of the Mckinley
family was surrounded by an immense
crowd, who seemed to give no heed to
the inclement weather A canvas can
opy had been erected near the open
grave for the shelter of the family and
those 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 long ago and of the presidents
father, brother and sister were literally
covered with the numerous floral Of
ferings sent by sympathizing friends
from all over the country. The hum
dreds of floral offerings included be-
sides the beautiful pieces sent by the
cabinet and the 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.
The exercises at the grave were very
short and simple. The casket was
lowered into the grave by the pail
bearers and the simple service of the
Methodist Episcopal church was read
responsibility by Presiding Elder e. D.
Holtz, of this district, and Rev. e. C.
Manchester, Rev. MacAfee, of Colum-
bus, pronouncing benediction.
In the evening the cabinet officers
and other distinguished visitors except
the Mckinley family took dinner at the
home of Mrs. George D. Harter. The
president and the immediate family
remained at the old homestead until
train time. The special train for
Washington left at $3.50 o'clock last
evening, the presidents car, New
port" being attached
During the hours of the funeral bust
ness was suspended throughout the
city. Business places and offices were
closed, factories and shops shut down
and all work suspended in the courts
and county and city buildings. County
and city officials and members of the
bar attended the services in a body.
During the progress of the funeral
several robberies occurred. The home
of Erwin Marshall was entered and a
large quantity of jewelry secured. j.
G. Kramers establishment, opposite
the church, was looted of diamonds,
watches and other jewelry. The police
arrested man who just got out, of
the workhouse, and part of the missing
articles were recovered. A number OF
pockets were also picked of valuables.