Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-17
Thousands Were Turned Away
From City Hall.
PEOPLE UNCOVER IN DRIVING RAIN
Services at the MiIburn Mansion Were
SimpIe-Body Taken to Public
Building Where 1t Reposed in State
For Many Hours.

Buffalo, Sept 16.-Buffalo yesterday
became 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 was so dense that
it seemed to muffle the tolling bells of
the churches. Bits of crepe appeared
on every sleeve. The sorrow was ev-
erywhere apparent.
| In the morning simple service took
place at the residence in Delaware ave-
nue., where the martyred President
| died. A hymn was sung and a prayer
was offered over the dead body. That
as all. Only the immediate family and
| the friends and political associates of
the late President were present. The
scene there was pathetic in the ex-
| treme. Then the ody was borne out
to the waiting contege on the brawny
shoulders of eight sailors and soldiers
of the republic.
The cortege passed through solid
walls of living humanity, bareheaded
and griefstricken. to the city hall,
where the body lay in state during the
afternoon. There a remarkable DEM
onstration 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 arrived at about
1870 o'clock until about o'clock But
the people were wedged into the
street for blocks. Two lines were
formed Which extended literally for
miles.
10000 Persons See Body.
When o'clock came 100000 persons
had already passed, and the crowds
waiting below in the streets seemed
undiminished. 1t was decided to ex-
tend the time until midnight. Then
for hours longer the streets We're
dense with people and a constant
| stream flowed up the broad entrance
into the hall and passed the bier. when
the doors We're closed at midnight it
was estimated that 10000 persons had
viewed the remains, but thousands of
disappointed ones were still in the
streets.
Gray and Cherries Day.
The day was gray and cheerless.
Heavy clouds hung over the city, at
times breaking to let through a rift
of sunshine, and then threatening to
let loose downpour upon the gather
/ ing multitude. The air was humid and
heavy. and only light wind from the
south stirred the dropping flags and
the emblems of mourning. The very
elements seemed to lend fitting ac.
compartment to the scene of sorrow
about to be enacted
Long before the time set for the
funeral services the vicinity of the
Milburn house was astir with prepara-
ton. AT 8 O'Clock long platoons OF po-
lice officers, mounted and on foot ar
rived at the grounds, and were posted
in details along the streets approach
ing the house. For block in each di-
rection the streets We're roped off to
keep back the gathering crowds. The
vigilance of the officers in keeping
back those not entitled to admission
within the reserved area was redoub-
led, and those summoned to the SER
vice, the uniformed escort of march
ers and those whose business impera-
lively brought them there, passed
: within the foursquare precinct about
the house where the body OF the dead
chief reposed.
Time for the Service.
Major General John r. Brooke, de-
partment commander of the east, who
was personally in command of the
forces participating in the escort, ar
rived at 10 o'clock. He was in fatigue
uniform with service sword at his
side. Around his arm was wound a
heavy band of crepe. With him were
4 j