New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-15
MRS. M'KINLEY LAID TO RESI
FUNERAL SERVICES IN THE FIRST
METHODIST CHURCH IN CANTON

CROWDS FLOCK TO THE CHURCH-EOoUENT
rR1e,,rr TO TIE PRESIDENTS MOTHER
ny THE REV. DIR. MANCHESTER
MEMBERS OF THE CABI-
NET IN ATTENDANCE.
carton Ohio. Dec 14-Although il rained
steadily to-day. the people attending the funeral
O, Mira Nancy Allison Mckinley were numbered
by thousands. The First Methodist Episcopal
Church. doubled in capacity by the throwing
onen OF the Sunday school rooms and gallery
was filed TO overlooking long before the services
began The chancel Of the church was pank
OF flowers.
After the simple ceremony thousands ai'ei
thousands passed through the church each s'op
ping an instant at the altar to take last HUN
at Mrs McKinley's face. This procession was
composed OF the three thousand people who had
gained admission to the church ana OF "ui'-
tude Of others who stood outside In the rain walt
ing the time when they were to enter at one side
door. pass the altar and go out at the o'ner s'ue
When this had continued an hour II was louhu
necessary to close the side doors and remove the
coffin to the funeral car as IT was reared that
the burial would be delayed until AFTER DARK
The services at the church were preceded by
brief private services at the house, attended py
the immediate family and the Washington visi-
tors The house services consisted OF prayer
by the Rev Dr. Manchester. Mrs. Mckinley's
pastor. and the reading of the twenty-third
Psalm by the Rev. Mr. McAfee.
Business houses closed at / o'clock. to remain
closed until after the services. The public
schools closed at noon for the remainder OF
the day. and business OF all kinds was practi-
caly suspended. The City Council. al meet
ing last night arranged TO attend the funeral
oil
building closed during the hours OF the funeral.
The courthouse was closed at noon and the
officials and clerks, together with the members
OF the bar attended the services in body. as
decided upon at a meeting this morning.
Rain began TO fall last evening. and continued
almost necessarily to-day. But regardless OF the
weather the streets early began TO NIL win
those who desired TO attend the services, and 1t
was evident that the large church would contain
only fraction of the people who would seek
admission All the morning express wagons con-
tinued TO unload magnificent floral tributes. and
nearly every train brought friends of the Pres-
dent and of the family to attend the services.
ARRANGEMENTS AT THE CHURCH.
The front seats of the middle tier were re-
served for the family and those attending the
services at the house. BY the time the coffin
reached the church there was no longer any
possibility of gaining admission and the people
lined the sidewalks waiting until those within
had viewed Mrs McKiney's face and passed
out, TO make room for others to take last look
at one whom all had loved and admired
The church was beautiful with the wealth OF
flowers sent from all over the country. The
chancel-rall and the pulpit were buried in
cluster of flowers. AS a backing to all there
were draining and festoons of black caught up
here and there by cords and bows of white. The
large loft, ordinarily used by chorus choir.
was occupied on one side by the officers Of the
church and on the other by the clergy Of the
city.
Promptly at O'Clock the carriages containing
the family and close friends Of the family began
arriving at the church. and with dlficuly
passage was made through the dense mass OF
humanity for the pall-bearers with the casket
and for the sorrowing friends who followed thern'
AT LOS o'clock to the strains of the organ
the casket was carried to the front or the chah-
Gel rail. 1t was literally covered with flowers. a
wreath of lilies and violets having the most
conspicuous place.
TlpsIE PRESIDENT IN THE FIRST PEW.
During the services and until after the coffin
had been closed the family and close friends oc-
cupied the front pews of the central section OF
the church. With the President In the first pew
were his sister, Miss Helen; his brother. Aoner'
and their sister. Mrs. Duncan Of Cleveland. IN
nediately back of them was tie aged sister OF
Mother Mckinley Mrs Osborne Of Youngstown,
surrounded by grandchildren and other near
relatives Behind these members Of the
Cabinet and the Washington visitors: Congress
man Taylor. representing this district; Whitelaw
Reid OF New-York; H. H Kohlsaat, Of Chicago
and many other intimate friends Of the family
from various parts Of the country.
During the services the President showed no
outward evidences Of the sorrow he felt The
remarkable self-possession characteristic Of his
whole life manifest throughout
When the strains of the organ died away.
the .Folian Quartet chanted Still. Still with
Thee" The Rev. E. p. Herbruck. pastor Of
Trinity Reformed Church. offered prayer com
mending the sorrowng family to the Ruler Of
the universe for comfort in their hour Of be-
reavement. bidding them not to look upon the
dead as in the shroud and coffin. but in
heaven. In his prayer Mr.. Herbruck paid a
high tribute 10 Mother Mckinley.
After the prayer the Rev. o. B. Milligan.
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, read
one Of the hymns of which Mother Mckinley
was particularly fond. Jesus Lover Of Ny
Soul" and it was sung by the quartet
The Rev. Dr. John NJ Hall. pastor Of Trinity
Lutheran Church. then read Scripture lesson.
selecting a portion Of the fifteenth chapter OF l
Corinthians teaching Of the Resurrection.
On behalf Of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church. r. A. Cassidy. former Mayor Of the
city and one OF the officers Of the church, read
a memorial adopted by the board Of officials re-
citing briefly the life Of Mrs Nancy Allison Mo-
Kinley and her connection with the congrega-
ton.
DIR. MANCHESTER's ADDRESS.
The singing by the quartet of Lead. Kindly
Light" was followed by the address Of the pas
tor, the Rev Dr. e. f. Manchester. who was a
companion in arms OF the President during the
member Of the 23d Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. DR.. Manchester spoke briefly but