Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-05
MORE OF THE DETAILS.
An Enormous Gathering Crowds and Surge
Around the Presidential Stand.

| auguraI exercises in the Senate the gal.
lery reserved for the families of senators
| the. ladies seated there being the mother
ard wife of the President-elect. and Mrs.
Barrett. sister of Mrs. Mckinley. Jr.
While the inaugural ceremonies were
progressing in the Senate Chamber. the
vest ihrongs on the plaza of the Capitol
resorted to various devices TO pass the
time waiting for the appearance of the
Presidential party. AT 1880. some one
started the familiar strains of Nearer.
NV God. to Thee. and they soon swelled
into n mighty roar. The people were
massed at every point of vantage and
view. covering almost every exposed part
of the Capitol facade. not less than 10 600
nnding room on the front. Photograph
ers in abundance We're in attendance.
AT l2.49 the first occupants of the stand
marched out of the Capitol doors and
took their seats. They were representa-
tires of the press. Five minutes later.
the first of the Presidential party started
down the steps from the bronze doors.
Mrs. Mckinley was IN the lead. escorted
By e. j. Bell. chairman of the inaugural
committee. and j. Addison Porter. Pres
ident McKdnley's secretary. Following
them came Mr.. and Mrs. Barber and Alb
ner Mckinley with his venerable mother.
and the other members of the party
which accompanied the President from
Canton. ard VIM. Fl. Osborne of Boston.
secretary of the National Republican
committee. with friends. They occupied
seats directly in the rear of the platform
occupied by the Presidents party.
The ladies of the supreme court. headed
by Mrs. Fuller and number of the
Mckinley walked slowly and as she came
crowd cheere6 wildly
The party was headed by Capt. Charles
King. L. s. A.. retired. the well-known
novelist. and First Lieut. Shipton Of the
LIST Artillery, who had charge. under the
direction of the Senate committee of ar
rangements. of seating the people on the
stand and this marty
seated. the unsteady inclined portion of
the crowd sang a verse of America
lowed. in the course of which scores of
the crowd jumped over the fence sepa-
rating the space in front Of the stand
from the rest Of the plaza.
approach from the Senate of the official
Presidential party. 1t was headed by
Marshal Wright of the supreme court of
of the District of Columbia. Following
them. the members of the supreme court.
headed by Chief Justice Fuller. with
clers M ha Carrying the Bible Tnsn
Senators Sherman. Elkins and Mitchell
of Wisconsin and next President Cfeye-
land and President-eiect Mckinley The
former wore his hat, a concession to the
necessity which compelled him to protect
himself against the rheumatism prevent
ing him from appearing at all. They took
their seats on the platform. Following
these. the other occupants OF the Senate
chamber headed by Vice President Ste
venson and the senators. reached the
platform and were seated.
While this was being done the crowd
enjoyed themselves by singing "Amerfca.
and cheering for Mckinley, Cleveland and
Sherman.
The first feature of the ceremonial yns
the administration of the oath of office.
The Bible upon which the President took
the oath of Office was radically Different
from any that had previously been used
on similar occasions. Heretofore the book
has been of the style known M Pocket
Bibles. and was previously held 10 the
hand of the chief justice In administer-
weighing fully 20 pounds was used. In
one OF the lids was inserted a silver plate
inscribed: VIM. Mckinley. President of
the United States, inaugurated March 4.
1Ss7.s'
The Bible was prepared for the bishops
of the African Methodist Episcopal
church. 1t Is the Intention of the bishops
to formally present the Bible to President
Mckinley.
The tumult was so great that the cere-
mony was q mere pantomine. the voices
ing wholly inaudiable to those within u
few feet of them. St
When President Mckinley arose to
read his inaugural. the crush and tumult
Of the restless moving crowd were 80 great
The crowd surged around the atand ana
many ladies were almost crushed. Cries
OF Police were the only cries that
could be recognized In the confusion.
Many OF the crowd were compelled to
climb The fence surrounding the platform
midst Of all the confusion, President Nc
Kinley read his address, standing with
barred head. while his predecessor at his
(Contfnued on pare S.)