The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-15


CANTON. O., Dec. 14.-Although 4,
nIned almost incessantly 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 over
flowing long before the beginning of
the services. The great rostrum of the
church was q 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 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 so out on 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 inteIment would be delayed until
after dark.
During the services and until after
the remains had been viewed the fam
us 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. Immediately
back OF them was the aged sister OF
the departed, Mrs. Osborne. OF Youngs-
town, surrounded by grandchildren and
other near 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; II. II. Kohl
saat, OF Chicago, and many other inti-
mate friends Of the family from various
points.
When the cortege reached the ceme-
terry, the burial ground OF the Mckinley
family was surrounded by an immense
crowd a canvas canopy had been
erected near the open grave for the
shelter of the family and those assist
ing in the last sad rites Here the beau
tlful wreath OF flowers which the Pres
ident 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 Offer
ings sent by sympathlzing friends from
all over the country. The hundreds OF
floral offerings included besides the
beautiful pieces sent by the cabinet and
the Washington friends, large em-
blem OF the G. A. r., m which the flag
was worked out In red and white car
nations, sent by Canton Post, OF which
the President Is a member; beautiful
piece from the Presidents old regiment,
the Twenty-third o. V. l., and another
from the knights Templar.
The exercises at the grave were very
short and simple. The casket was ten
dermly lowered into the grave by the
pail bearers and the simple liturgy
service OF the Methodist Episcopal
church was read responsibility bV Pre-
siding Elder Il. d. Holtz. OF this dis
trict. and Rev G. Il. Manchester, Rev,
McAfee. of Columbus. pronouncing n
benedlctlon.
This 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 re-
maIned at the old homestead until train
time.
The special train on which the Wash
ington party came this morning, left at
$3.50 o'clock this evening. the Presidents
car. Newport" being attached. The
train carried President and Mrs, Nc
Knlcy, General and Mrs Alger, Secre-
tary Bliss, Attorney General and Mrs.
McKcnna, Postmaster General Gary,
Secretary Wilson, Secretary to the
President Porter and Mrs. Porter, Hon.
Whltelaw Reid. Assistant Secretary and
Mrs. Day; Mr.. Abner Mckinley and
daughter, Mabel. OF New York: Con-
gresham r. w. Taylor. OF this district:
Hon. II. II. Kohlsnat. Ernest Hanil
and Walter II. Wilson, OF Chicago; Miss
Mary Barber. Mrs. MoRinley's niece:
Miss Sarah Duncan. OF Cleveland, the
Presidents niece; Mr.. Jacl; Duncan.
Mrs. George Harter. Colonel j. ". Tay-
lor. Of East Liverpool.
During the hours OF the funeral, buHl-
ross wan suspended throughout the
city Business places and offices were
closed. factories and shops shut down
and all work suspended In courts ana
county and cltg buildings, County and
city officials and members OF the bar
attended the services In n body.