Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-09-19
ABILENE KANSAS. THURSDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER ls. 1901
THE DEAD PRESIDENT
A Simple Service Held Over the
Remains at Milburn House.
BODY Laid IN STATE At CITY HALL.
Thousands Passed the Bier and Thousands
More Were Disappointed at Being I'm
able to DO SO--The Funeral Train on
Its Journey to Washington.


Its Journey to Washington.
Buffalo, N. Y, Sept, 16.-Butfalo
yesterday became city of mourn
ing. The gay and flaming decora-
tioHs of the Pan-Amercan exposition
gave way to the symbol of sorrow.
The black drapery of the city's
streets muffled the tolling bells of
the churches. Bits of Grape appeared
on every sleeve. The sorrow was
everywhere apparent. In the morning
a simple service took place at the
residence on Delaware avenue, where
the martyred president died. Only
the immediate family and the friends
and political associates of the late
president We're present. Then the
body was borne out to the waiting
cortege on the brawny shoulders Of
eight sailors and soldiers of the re-
public. The cortege passed through
solid walls of living humanity, bare
headed and grief-%rcken, to the city
hall, where the body lay in state yes
terday afternoon. There remark
able demonstration occurred which
proved how close the president was
to ne hearts Of the people. Arrange
ments had been made to allow the
public to view the body from the time
it arrived, at about 1880 o'clock, until
about five O'Clock, but the people were
wedged into the streets for blocks.
Two lines were formed. They extY,d-
ed literally for miles, When five
o'clock came 10000 people had al
ready passed and the crowd waiting
below in the streets seemed undimln-
ished. It was decided to extend the
time until midnight. Then for hours
longer the streets were dense with
people and constant stream flowed
up the steps of the broad entrance
into the hall and passed the bier.
When the doors were closed at mid
night 1t was estimated that $4,000
people had viewed the remains, but
thousands Of disappointed ones were
still in the streets.
The body laid in the city hall until
this morning. II was then taken to
fhe station by military escort and
at $50 the funeral train, consisting
of seven ears, stated for Washington
over the Pennsylvania railroad. Mrs.
Mckinley, the president, the cabinet
and relatives and friends of the dead
president accompanied the remains.
Mrs. Mckinley bore bravely up dur
ing the service at the Milburn resi-
denoe and DR.. liiSey, her physician,
thinks she will be able to support
her trying part in the state funeral
at Washington.
Long before the time SET for the
funeral services the vicinity of The
Milburn house was astir with prepa-
rations. At nine o'clock long pa-
toons Of police officers, mounted and
NJ foot, arrived at the grounds and
were posted in details along the
streets approaching the house. For
Il block in each direction the streets
were roped off to keep back the
gathering crowds. At 1880 o'clock
the military and naval detachments
took temporary station on West
Ferry street Immediately around the
corner from the Milburn house.
Meantime the members OF the cabi-
net, officials high in the government
service and near friends of the mar
tyred president, begun to fiji the
walks leading up to the entrance Of
the Milburn residence.
The services had already begun
when there was clatter OF hoofs
down the avenue and four high-step-
ping black horses came INTO view
drawing the hearse which was TO
bear tie casket Of the dead presi-
dent. II halted at the corner to
await the conclusion Of the services.
In the drawing room to the right Of
the hall as President Roosevelt en-
tered the dead chieftain was
stretched upon his bier. Ills head was
to the rising sun. On his face was
written the story Of the Christian
forbearance with which he had met
his Martyrdom. Only the thinness Of
his face bore mute testimony to the
patient suffering he had endured.
He was dressed as he always was in
life. lie looked as millions. Of his
cnrntrymen have seen him, save for
ope thing. The little badge Of the
Loyal Legion, the oAly decoration he
ever wore, which was always in the
left lapel of his coat, was missing.
And those who remarked ii, spoke u
It and after the body was takeA to
the city hall the little badge which
be priced through life was placed
again where 1t had always been.
The family had taken leave of their
loved one before the others arrived.
Mrs. Mckinley, the poor, grief
rushed widow, had been led into
he chamber by her physician, DR..
Rixey, and bad sat awhile alone with
him who had supported md COM
'orted her through all their years OF
welded Afe. But though her sup
port was gone she had not broken
lown. Dry-eyed, she gazed upon him
md fondled his face. She did not
Ieem TO realize that he was dead. ]