The age-herald., 1901-09-17
Funeral Train SmOthered With Flowers from Beginning to
 End of the Journey
ALL WORK WAS SUSPENDED
Silence With Which the Countless Crowds Review the Remains of of the Beloved President Was
 impressive. and Profound.

Washington, September 1e.-Through a living lane of bareheaded people. stretch ing from Buffalo, up overthe Alleghenies, down into the broad valley of the Susque- hanna and on to the marble city on the banks of the shining Potomac, the na- tion's martyred President today made his last journey to the seat of the government over which he presided for four and one half years.
 The whole country seemed to have drained It's population at the sides of the track over which the funeral passed The thin lines through the mountains and the sparsely settled districts thickened at the little hamlets, suddenly grown to the pro- portions of respectable cities, and were congested Into vast multitudss in the larger cities. Work was suspended in field and mine and city. The schools were dismissed. And everywhere appeared the trappings and tokens of woe. All flags were at half-mast and dotted hillside ond valley along the route. And from almost every banner streamed bit of crepe. The stations were heavy with the black symbols of mourning. At all the larger towns and cities after the train got into Pennsylvania mittiamen, drawn up nt present arms. kept back the enormous crowd. The silence with which the count- less crowds viewed the remains of the late President was oppressive and profound. Only the rumbling of the trains wheels, the sobs from men and women with tear stained faces and the doleful tolling of the church bells broke on the earth at the several cities of Williamsport, Harris burg and Baltimore. The journey home was the most remarkable demonstration of universal personal sorrow since L.n- coin was borne to his gravel D-~spec of those who came to pay their last trib- ute to the dead had an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the flag covered cas- ket. elevated to view in the observation car, at the rear of the train.
 She Stood Trip Braveiy.
 Mrs Mckinley stood the trip bravely In the morning soon after leaving Buffalo she pleaded so earnestly to be allowed to go into the car where her dear ons l1S that reluctant assent was given and she spent half an hour beside the coffin. All the way the train was preceded about fif- teen minutes by pilot engine sent ahead to test the bridges and switches and pre- vent the possibility of accident to the precious burden 1t carried. The train had the right of way over everything. Not wheel moved on the system thirty minutes before the pilot engine was due or for the same length of time after the train had passed.
 The train left Buffalo at s:SO this morn ing and arrived at Washington at S:SS tonight In twelve hours 1t Is estimated over half million people saw the coffin which held all that was mortal of Presi- dent Mckinley.
 At Williamsport, which place was reach- ed at 3:30, there was remarkable demon- stration, the feature of which was the presentation of an immense floral offer ing by 5000 school children of the city.
 Path Strewn With Flowers.
 At Lockhaven the young ladies of the city lined up along the track and strewed the path of the dead President with flow CTS. Each small town had conceived some distinct way of It's own to show It's respect for the dead. Others sought to obtain a souvenir of the sad occasion in unique ways At one point beyond Look haven hundreds of boys placed silver coins on the track and when the train rushed by hurried to get the hattened bits of silver for preservation as me- mentos in their families for all times.
 After leaving Wlliamsport the train ran through stretches of farming coun- try dotted here and there with small manufacturing towns. Everywhere peo- pie lined the track.
 Al sunbury. Third street, through which the Pennsylvania road runs, wadM literally covered with flags and buntine( an heavily draped with crepe. As pre- viously arranged all business was sus- pended and the entire population gather ed on either side of the street. t
 Approaching Harrisburg factory hands again lined the track. The roof tops of buildings were alive with people. Just as the train stopped a great choir ranged tier upon tier on the station steps began. "Nearer My God to Thee and then as the train pulled out the strains turned on My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
 Crossing the susquehanna.
 remarkable spectacle was presented as the train moved across the long bridge; spanning the Susquehanna from Harris { burg On either side of the stream, up" and down for miles, the banks teemed { with thousands of people. Again at York the train moved for half mile be- ! tween avenues of solid humanity and ] windows and housetops were alive with people. Night came on as the train sped from York to Baltimore. and in the darkness only the tolling of bells at the , stations bespoke the manifestations of ! sorrow. As the train drew into Balti- ' more black masses of people could be ' seen ranged upon the HuBe Niduucts which span the line of the road and at ' every street crossing a living tide surged 1, up to the train. Nearing the station the { locomotive almost ploughed It's way among flowers, for the masses of blos- soms had been strewn along the pathway of the train. Inside the station the iron railing held back a surging multitude while within the rai1 the entire force of the city post oflce was drawn up on one side of the track with banners wound with crepe and the force of the custom house on the other side. In front of the crowd stood Mayor Hays with his sister, each bearing great clusters of roses and palms as tribute to be placed on the bier of the dead President. As the flowers were passed within the train the notes of Nearer my God to Thee ! again arose. A moment later 1t was off 7 for It's final destination. Then next came z into view the distant lights of the cap < itol. At $40 the train swept Into the sta- ( ton around which a great concouxsa waited to receive their dead