The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-29
A PRESIDENTS VACATION
M'KINLEY HAS RURAL EXPERIENCES
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Goes to Church Where His Sister-in-
Law Plays the Organ and Il Niece
Queens 1t in the Choir Loft.

SOMERSET, Pa, Aug. 2S.-President Nc
Kinley came to Somerset to pass restful
day and he has certainly accomplished that
purpose; Providence provided fine weather,
in fact, the most delightful day of the sea-
son here. And the President has taken adj
vantage of it. He rose early this morning
and passed an nour WALKING about town
with his brother, Abner Mckinley Here
and there Re met 9n old acquaintance and
stopped for a short talk. The President s
determination to attend the morning serv-
ice at The Methodist Episcopal Church be-
came known early and by the usual time
for opening the service every seat, except
those reserved for the President and party
was occupied. The altar was tastefuly
adorned with white chrysanthemums AMI
var-colored lilies. Mrs. Amer Mckinley
and her daughter Mabel drove to the church
in their carriage and Abner Mckinley
and his distinguished brother walked. The
Presidents wife did not attend church. The
people of this town have seen the President
go to church before, yet the sight is a rare
one for them and many took positions along
the street to witness it. This caused the
chief executive to lift his hat frequently
along the way and he bowed gracefully to
the right and left as he passed along.
The service at the church opened with
Mrs Abner Mckinley at the organ, fine
pipe instrument presented to the church
by her daughter Mabel At the close of the
voluntary the congregation rose and sang,
Praise God from whom all blessing flow"
This followed by a hymn Come thou
Almighty King" After prayer offered by
Rev. DR.. Youngson, VINO is visiting the pas
ter of the church, Miss Mabel Mckinley,
fI,aT - 1 |,
er playing the accompaniment. Miss Mabel
has charming voice and is a sweet singer.
During the rendition of the solo the Presi-
dents eyes were fixed upon little Sun
shine" as he sometimes calls his niece, and
his enjoyment Of The song was evident.
After the singing CT another hymn, 20 Thou
in whose presence" the pastor, Rev. H.
N. Cameron, preached. taking his text from
the twenty-first verse, seventeenth chap
ter of the Gospel according to Luke: THE
kingdom of God is within you
I he sermon occupied about thirty-five
minutes and there was nothing in it to indi-
cate that it had been prepared for the presi-
Dental ear At the close of the benedic-
ton the President left the church at once,
and, with his brother, walked directly to
the latter's home cutting across the street
at one point to shorten the route.
A few minutes later the President and
Mrs Mckinley and Mr.. and Mrs Abner
Mckinley entered the latter's carris ge and
passed some time in a drive to the coun-
try. The President, in going about, must
meet with some peculiar familiarities.
While he was sitting on the porch this
morning aged German, who probably
retains some unfavor able impression of i'm
perial pomp in the fatherland, was driving
past. Noticing the President, he pulled his
horse up suddenly and said, loud enough to
be heard a square away, why. Mr. Presi-
dent. you don't look like the rulers in the
old country; you don't wear a crown, and
you just dress like other mer."
A smile and a pleasant bow was the
Presidents reply.
Another incident of familiarity was given
last evening on the arrival of the presiden-
tial train. When the President and Mrs.
Mckinley stepped from their car they were
completely hemmed in by the crowd. An
official who has been fixture here for
years promptly grasped the situation and,
spreading the crowd with his hands and a
sharp command, he turned to the President
and said: Follow me, my old friend" and
proudly led the way to the carriage.
This afternoon the President passed an
hour on the porch and later he and his
brother went driving. After dinner this
evening few personal friends made short
calls on the President and Mrs Mckinley.
The town is gaily decorated with flags in
honor of its distinguished visitors, but the
people fully appreciate the Presidents de-
sire for rest and there have been no in
trusions. The President is greatly pleased
with his visit here and regrets that it cannot
be extended. but the arrangements having
been made for his visit to the military camp
at Montauk on Saturday necessitates his
leaving here at noon Tomorrow