The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-16
BODY LAY IN STATE.
Continued from First Page.)


nier mirror between two curtained
%.;ndows, rested two superb wreaths of
Rite asters and roses. These were
the only flowers in the room.
Two sentries, one from the sea and
ono from the land, guarded the re-
mains. They stood in the window en-
brasures, behind the head of the cas-
Vet The one to the north was a SER
oeant of infantry. In the other win
dow was the sailor CARRIED in the loose
hlue blouse of the navy.
Grief of the stricken Widow.
The family had taken leave of their
loved one before the others arrived.
Mrs Mckinley, the poor grief
widow, had been led into the chamber
bv her physician, DR.. Rixey. and had
eat awhile alone with him who had sup
norted and comforted her through all
their years of welded life. But though
her support was gone, she had not
broken down.
Dry-eyed she gazed upon him and
fondled his face. Then she was led
away by DIR. Rixey and took up her
position at the head of the stairs, where
She could hear the service.
Mrs. Hobart the widow of the Vice
president during Mr.. McKinley's first
term: Mr.. Lafayette McWilliams Of
chicago, Miss Barber, Miss Mary Bar
her and DIR. Rixey remained with her
there. The other members of the fam
iIy Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley,
Miss Helen Mckinley. Mrs. Duncan,
Miss Duncan, Mr.. and Mrs. Barber and
DIR. and Mrs. Baer, had withdrawn
into the library to the north of the
drawing room in which the casket lay,
and here also gathered other friends
when the service was held.
The friends and public assistants of
the dead President all had an oppor-
tunity to view the remains before the
review began. The members of the
cabinet had taken leave before the
others arrived. They remained seated
beside their dead chief while the sad
procession viewed the body.
shook in ConvuIsive Sobs.
A place directly at the head had
been reserved for President Roosevelt.
About a hundred in all saw the body.
Some were so overcome with grief at
the sight of the thin, placid counte-
nance that their frames shook in con-
vulsive sobs. Several chung to the side
of the bier and with difficulty could
be persuaded to leave. Almost every
face was tear-stained. The great love
for this man choked all in the house.
Among those in the procession were
Senators Fairbanks and Burrows, Gov.
Gen. Henderson and Mrs. Henderson,
Representative Littauer. ex-Postmas-
ter General William l.. Bissell, and the
consulting physicians, most of whom
had met President Mckinley personally
for the first time after he was stricken
and had learned to adore him while h
suffered so gently and patiently on his
bed of pain. Senator Hanna, who had
fairly worshipped his dead friend for
years, entered the room at this time,
but did not approach the casket His
face was set like an iron willed man
who would not let down the barriers
of his grief The Senator spoke to no
one. His eyes were vacant. He passed
through the throng and seated himself
behind Gov. Odell. sinking far down
into his chair and resting his head
upon his hand. During all the service
that followed he did not stir.
Just before II o'clock President
Roosevelt entered, coming into the
room from the rear through the library.
After passing into the hall he had
made his way around through the sit
ting room behind into the library.
There was an instantaneous movement
in the room as the President appeared.
The procession was still passing from
the south side around the head of the
casket and back between it and the
members of the cabinet seated at its
side.
Roosevelt Views the Body.
Everyone rose and all eyes were
turned toward the President. He NOV
ed forward with the tide of the pro-
cession to his place at the head of the
line of cabinet officers He held him
self erect, his left hand carrying his
silk hat. Those who were coming to-
ward him fell back on either side to
let him pass. He paused once or twice
to shake hands silently, but there was
no smile to accompany his greetings.
He, too, like the man deep down in his
seat against the wall, who had forgot
ten to rise when the President entered,
seemed to be restraining his grief
When President Roosevelt reached the
head of the line of cabinet officers he
kept his face away from the casket
The infantryman guarding the dead
stood before him rigid as a statue. AL
though the commander chief APP
preached until he could have touched
him, the soldier did not salute.
The President spoke to Secretary
Root, or, perhaps it would be more
precise to say that the latter spoke to
him. The President appeared to be
steeling himself for a look into the face
of him whose death had made him the
first ruler of the world. The tension
in the room was great. Every one
seemed to be waiting. The minister
of the gospel stood with the Holy
Book in his hand ready to begin. Per-
haps it might have been sixty seconds.
1t seemed longer.
Then the President turned and at the
same time advanced a step. He bowed
his head and looked upon the man
whose burden and responsibility he
had taken up. Long he gaZed stand
ing immovable, save for a twitching
of the muscles of the chin as he Ia
bored with heavy breath to repress MS
emotion. At last he stepped back Col
Bingham. the aide to the President
standing ten feet below the foot of the
casket at the side of the loyal Cortel-
YOU glanced in the direction of Row.
Charles Edward Locke of the Delaware
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church,
who was to conduct the service.
"Nearer, My God, to Thee"
1t was within a minute of 1880
o'clock when three long rolls of muf-
fled drum told those outside of the
house that the funeral cortege was
about to appear. From the darkened
rooms the assemblage began to file out
10 the street Soon the walks and lawns
were again covered with the silent
throng, with heads barred. At the mo-
faent the casket appeared, Nearer, My
God to Thee" assembled in subdued
strains from one of the military bands.
Ienderly the bearers lowered the cas-