Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-09-27
ellis LIFE WAS GENTLE AND THE ELEMENTS
So MIXED IN Hin THAT MATURE MIGHT STAND UP
AND SAY TO ALL THE WORLD, THIS WAS A r1ANl'"

look again upon the features. The
casket was sealed before it was
borne away from the court house.
As the time approached for bear
ing the BODY of the dead president
from the Mckinney home to the
church the little cottage on North
Market street was the center of a
vast concourse OF people. Regiment
after regiment of soldiers acting as
guards were in triple lines from
curbs back to the lawns. The walks
had been cleared and the multitude
took refuge on the lawns, where 1T
formed a solid mass of humanity
surging forward 20 the lines of sol
diers. In front of the Mckinley
cottage was drawn up two rigid files
of body bearers, eight sailors of the
navy and eight soldiers of the army,
awaiting the order 10 go within and
take up the caslSet.
AT 1 o'clock the black chargers of
the Cleveland troop swept down the
street, their riders four abreast, in
their brilliant hussar uniforms, with
flags bound in Grape and every sabre
hilt bearing its emblem of mourning.
Their coming was the signal for the
approach of President Roosevelt and
the members of the cabinet. The
presidential party moved up the
walk to the entrance of the house
and formed in group to the left.
Extending further down the walk
was the guard of honor, the ranking
generals of the army on the right
and the chief figures of the navy on
the left.
Now the deep-toned wall of the
church bells began and every steeple
in Canton gave forth its dolorous
plant. 1t was i:15 and the time
had come for taking up the body. A
brief private service had been held
within the darkened chamber, Rev.
Manchester saying a prayer while
the relatives gathered around and
Mrs. Mckinley listened from the half
open door of her adjoining room.
The double file of body bearers
now stepped into the room and, rails
| ing the casket to their shoulders,
bore it through the open entrance.
A solemn hush fell upon the multi
tude as the bearers advanced with
measured tread.
The coffin was committed to the
hearse and the silence was broken as
the order to march passed from Off
Ger to officer. The great procession
now took up its mournful journey,
passing under the sweep of giant
arches robed in black, between two
living lines of humanity massed
along the streets, covering house
tops and filing the windows. The
church bells still were tolling, ming
ling their dismal tones with the ca
dence of the funeral dirge. Pre-
ceding the funeral car and forming
the first division rode Ell Torrance,
national commander of the G. A. R.,
with long line of veterans. At
the head of each horse drawing the
hearse marched soldier.
At either side of the hearse
marched the guard of military and
naval honor, the generals on the
right led by Gen. Miles, and the ad-
mirals on the left led by Admiral
Farquhar. Then came the long line
of carriages of the relatives and
friends, and after them the innumer-
oote military and civic organizations
that had assembled to pay this last
honor to the fallen chief. In the
line were division after division of
Knights Templar, Knights of Pyth-
las, Masons, Odd Fellows and repre-
scntatives of benevolent orders,
chambers of commerce, as well as
delegations of citizens from cities
throughout the country.
1T was 1850 when the procession
passed the court house and turned
into Tuscarawas street to the stately
stone edifice where the funeral serv-
ices were to be held. At the church
entrance were drawn up deep files of
soldiers with bayonets advanced,
keeping clear area for the advanc-
ing caslset and the long train of
mourners. The hearse halted while
President Roosevelt and members ot
the cabinet alighted. Again they
grouped themselves at either side OF
the entrance and with uncovered
heads awaited the passage of She
casket. Then the coffin was brought
from the hearse, and as 1t passed
within the entrance the president
and his cabinet followed Within the
edifice.
The scene within the chafsh was
profoundly impressive. A black
border 20 feet high, relieved at in
tervals by narrow white bands fall.
ing to the floor, swept completely
around the interior. Only the gilt
organ pipes back of the pulpit rose
above 1t. The vestibules on either
side of the chancel leading into the
church were black tunnels, the