The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-20
THE STRICKEN WIDOW.


beautiful band of white purple satin rib
bon.
THE STRICKEN WIDOW.
Mrs. McKinley's condition is exciting
grave apprehension among those caring
for her, and it is feared that the dread
ed collapse may come at any moment.
Since she has returned to the old home
the full realization of the awful calam-
ity has come upon her. Last evening
after the body had been brought from
the courthouse and deposited in the lit
tie front room formerly used as the
Presidents library, she pleaded to be
allowed to enter the room and sit be-
side the casket. Consent was reluctant
ly granted and for half an hour, the
stricken widow sat in the dim light be-
side the flower draped bier. Then she
was led away to her room and has not
left it since. Through this morning she
wept piteously hour after hour. Owing
to her condition she was able to take no
part in any of the ceremonies TODAY,
neither at the church nor in the
chamber of death when the body was
borne away for the last time. From this
time on she will be guarded with the
most solicitous care and quiet. for it is
only in this way that a collapse can be
averted.
THE CASKET SEALED.
The face of the dead President was
seen for the last time when it lay in
state yesterday in the courthouse. The
casket was not opened after it was re-
moved to the Mckinley residence and
the members of the family had no op-
portunity to look again upon the silent
features. The casket was sealed before
it was borne away fro mthe courthouse
When Mrs. Mckinley came into the
death chamber last night for her last
moments beside her dead husband, she
wished to have final look at the up
turned face. But this was impossible
and the sealed casket with it's flowers
and flags were all that she saw.
TONS OF FLOWERS.
The collection of flowers was probably
the most beautiful ever seen in the
United States. The Conservatives of the
country had been denuded to supply
them. From the four quarters of the
earth came directions to adorn the bier
of Mckinley with" flowers, whose frag-
rance might be symbolical of the sweet
ness and purity of the ended life But
these tributes from, foreign countries
were buried beneath the floral tributes
of Mckinley's countrymen. There were
tons and tons of them and list of those
who sent them would be almost a COM
plete roster of those prominent in the
official. commercial and social life of
the United States.
AS the time approached for bearing
the body Of the dead President from the
Mckinley home to the church, the lit
tie cottage on North Market street was
the center of a vast concourse of peo-
pie. Regiment after regiment of SOL
diers, acting as guards were in triple
lines from the curb back to the lawns.
The walks had been cleared. and the
multitude took refuge on the great
sweep of lawns where they formed a
solid mass of humanity surging forward
to the lines of soldiers. In front Of the
Mckinley cottage were drawn up the
two rigid files of body bearers-eight
sailors of the navy and eight soldiers of
the army, awaiting the order to go with
in and take up the casket
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.
Just at 1 o'clock, the black chargers of
the Cleveland Troop swept down the
street, their riders four abreast. in their
brilliant Hussar uniform, with flags
bound in crepe and every sabre hilt bear
ing its futtering emblem of mourning.
Their coming was the signal for the ap-
proach of President Roosevelt and the
members of the Cabinet. The Presiden-
tial party moved up the walk to the
entrance of the house and formed in a
group &c the left. The Presidents face
looked very grave and he stood there
silently with uncovered head awaiting the
body of the dead chicftain
Beside him stood Secretary Gage, Secre-
tary Root, Secretary Wilson and Secre-
tary Hitchcock, and just across, Attor-
ney-General Knox, Postmaster General
Smith, Assistant Secretary of State Hill,
representing Secretary Hav, and Sccrc-
tary Cortelyou. Extending further down
the walk was the guard of honor. the
ranking generals of the army on the
right ant the chief figures of the navy on
the left Lieutenant General Miles, in the
full uniform of his high rank, with sword
at side and band of crepe about his ann
stood alongside the members OF the Cabi-
net, and with him were Major General
Brooke, Major General Otis. General Mac
Arthur and Brigadier- General Gillespie
Across from them was ranged Rear Al
miral Farquhar, representing Admiral
Dewey, ranking head of the navy, Rear
Admiral Crowninshield Rear Admiral
O'Neill, Rear Admiral Kenney and Brig
adler General Haywood, the latter cont