Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-09-19

Tears Fell Unrestrainedy When
"Nearer, My God, to Thee" Was
Sung-Senator Hanna's Last Look
at the Face of His Dead Friend and
Companion-Eishty Thousand Peo.
pie Saw the Body In the City Hall.
Buffalo, Sept. 16.-Buffalo yesterday
became a city of mourners. The gay
and flaming decorations of the Pan
American exposition gave way to the
symbol of sorrow. The black drapery
of the city's streets muiiled the tolling
bells of the churches. Bits of crepe
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. A
hymn was sung and prayer was offered
over the dead body. That was all.
Only the immediate family and the
friends and political assistants of the
late President were present. The scene
there was pathetic in the extreme.
Then the body was borne out to the
waiting cortege on the brawny should
ers of eight sailors and soldiers of the
republic. The cortege passed through
solid walls of living humanity, bare
headed and grief stricken, to the city
hall, where the body lay in state yes
terday afternoon. There remarkable
demonstration occurred which proved
how close the President was to the
hearts of the people. Arrangements
had been made to allow the public to
view. the body from the time it ar
lived, at about 1.90 o'cisca until about
8 o'clock But the people We're wedged
into the streets for blocks. Two lines
were formed. They extended literally
for miles. When o'clock came 10000
people had already passed and the
crowds waiting below in the streets
seemed undiminished. 1t was decided
to extend the time until midnight.
For hours longer the streets were dense
with people and a constant stream
flowed up the steps of the broad en-
trance into the hall and passed the
bier. When the doors were closed at
midnight 1t was estimated that 10000
people had viewed the remains, but
thousands of disappointed ones were
still in the streets.
This morning at $50 o'clock the
funeral train started for Washington
Mrs. Mckinley, the President, the cab
met and relatives and friends of the
dead President accompanied the re-
mains.
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
guest. The President looked very
grave as he alighted and turned to as
sist Mr.. and Mrs. Wilcox from the car
riage His face did not relax into
smile to the salutations of those near
est the carriage. but he acknowledged
the greetings silently and with an in
clination of the head.
Dead Chieftain On His Bier.
In the drawing room to the right of
the hall as President Roosevelt en-
tered, the dead chieftain was stretched
upOI Ills DICT. I1iS Hedu was W 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 suf-
fering he had endured. He was dressed
as he always was in life. The black
frock coat was buttoned across the
breast where the first bullet of the as
sassin 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 Loyal Legion, the only
decoration he ever which was always
in the left lapel of his coat was miss
ing. And those who remarked it spoke
of It, and after the body was taken
to the city hall the little badge which
he priced through life was placed
again where it had always been.
The body lay in black casket on
black bear skin rug. Over the lower
limbs was flung the starry banner he
loved so well. The flowers were few
as J.. befitted the simple nature of the
man. A spray of white crysanthe-
NUNS, a flaming bunch of blood red
American beauty roses and magnif-
II thn