Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-09-21
In the House of Mourning.

In the House of Mourning.
Buffalo, Sept. 16-Bufialo yesterday
became a city of mournors. The gay
and flaming decorations Of the Pan
American exposition gave way to the
symbol of sorrow The black drapcry
of the city's streets mulllcd the toll
ing bells of the churches. Bits OF
crepe appeared on every sleeve The
sorrow was apparent everywhere.
In the morning a simple service took
place at the residence on Delaware
avenue where the martyred president
died. A hymn was sung and prayer
was offered over the dead body. That
was all. Only the immediate family
and the friends and political associates
- Of the late president were present. The
scene there was pathetic in the eX-
IRENE.
Major-Gcnoral John f. Brooke who
was personally in command Of all the
forces participating in the escort, ar
rived at 10 o'clock. He was in fatigue
. uniform. with service sword at his side
- rhe two gold stars at the collar marked
his high military rank. Around his left
arm was wound a heavy band of crepe.
With him were his aides and half
score of other officers all in fatigue
uniform, with the badge of mourning
on their sleeves.
1t was Just eight minutes before the
opening of the service when covered
barouche drove up to the house, bring
| ing President Roosevelt and Mr.. and
| Mrs Wilcox. at whose home he Is a
guest. The president looked very grave
rs he alighted. His face did not relax
4 into a smile to the sautations of those
nearest the carriage, but he aclinowl-
edged the greetings silently, and with
an inclination of the head
Within the house of death was woe
unspeakable. In the drawing room to
D the right of the hall as President
Roosevelt entered, the dead chieftain
was stretched upon his bier On the
1 noble face was written the story of the
/ Christian forbearance with which he
! had met his martyrdom. A look OF
i calm and peaceful resignation was on
thinness of the face bore mute testi-
mony to the patient suffering he had
endured He was dressed as he always
did in life The black frock coat was
buttoned across the breast where the
first bullet of the assassin had struck.
| The black string tie below the standing
collar showed the little triangle of
white shirt front. The right hand lay
: at his side. The left was across his
body. He looked as millions of his
countrymen have seen him save for
one thing. The little badge of the
i Loyal Legion the only decoration he
J. ever wore, and which was always in
the left lapel of his coat, was missing.
a Those who remarked the absence of the
emblem spoke of it, and. after the body
was taken to the city hall, the little
badge which he priced through life
4 was placed again where it had always
been.
The body lay in a black casket on a
black bearskin rug. Over the lower
l'mbs was flung the Starry Banner he
had loved so well. The flowers were
few, as beftted the simple nature Of
! the man.
: Two sentries, one from the sea and
8 one from the land, guarded the re-
z mains. They stood in the window en-
brasures behind the head of the cas-
ket A sergeant of infantry to the
i north was fully ACQUIRED and wore
his cap. In the other window was a
sailor, in the loose blue blouse of the
navy.
= Senator Hanna entered the room at
4 this time, but did not approach the
4 casket. His face was set like an IRON
= willed man, who would not let down
= the barriers of his grief The senator
spoke to no one. His eyes were va
cant. He passed through the throng
u and seated himself behind Governor
X Odell, sinking far down into his chair,
d and resting his head upon his hand.
During all the service he did not stir.
b Just before II O'Clock President
\ Roosevelt entered. Every one arose,
z and all eyes were turned toward him.
j He moved forward again with the tide
= of the procession to his place at the
4 head of the line of cabinet officers. He
held himself erect, his left hand car
! rying forward his silk hat. Those who
II were coming toward him fell back on
II either side to let him pass. He paused
u once or twice to silently shake hands
n but there was no smile to accompany
4 his greeting He, too, like the man
y deep down in his seat, against the
y wall. and who had forgotten to rise
when the president of the United States
i entered, seemed to be restrained in q
/ great grief.
Y When President Roosevelt reached
the head of the line of cabinet officers
he kept his face away from the casket
J but appeared to be steeling himself
for a look at the face of the dead. The
tension in the room was great. Per
! haps it might have been GO seconds
(, but it seemed longer. Then the presi
dent turned and advanced step. He
bowed his head and looked down at the
y impassive features of the man whose
burden and responsibility he had taker
= up. Long he gazed, standing immova
BILE. the muscles of his face only be
: traying the strong emotion under
j. whihc he labored. At last he stepped
back.
The Service.
The pastor was at the door leading
al into the hail. a station whence hi
words could be heard at the head o
. the stairs. The signal was given. an,
the beautiful words of Lead, Kindl.