The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-09-28
UNDIVIDED NATION MOURNS

gurated q second time president. The
flags that had iuttered greeting to him
In March were furled and crepe-be-
decked In September.
AS with solemn and cadenced tread
the procession moved down the ave-
nue. the people recognized as one Of the
mourners their former president, Gro
yer Cleveland. who had come to pay
ognized, too. their new president, upon
whom the responsibilities Of chief ex.-
ecutive had been thrust 80 unexpected
ly. With silent salute they greeted
him, and with them he mingled his
tears in sorrow for the dead.
At. the conclusion Of the funeral SER
vices in the rotunda the casket lid was
removed in, order that the immediate
friends Of the dead president might be
afforded the comfort OF
A Last Glance
at his features. and that the people
whom he loved and who owed him
might pass the bier for the same pur-
pose. At 1890 the crowds began to pass
through the rotunda, and during the
six hours in which the body was lying
in state 1t is estimated that $4,000 peo-
pie viewed the remains. Just a l o'clock
a frightful calamity was narrowly
averted at the east front Of the capitol.
For hours. the vast throng Of people had
been massed in front Of the capitol
awaiting an opportunity to enter the
rotunda. When the doors were opened
tens Of thousands of people rushed al
most frantically to the main staircase.
The police and military guards were
swept aside and almost in a twinkling
there was q tremendous crush at the
front of the great staircase. The Inn
mense throng swept backward and for
ward like the surging of a mighty sea.
Women n children. a few of the lat
ter babes In arms, were caught in the
crowd and many were badly hurt.
Strong men held children and even
women high above the heads Of the
surging crowd to protect them from
bodily injury. Despite the efforts OF
the police and military and the cooler
heads in the throng approximately a
hundred people were injured. Some OF
the %
More Seriously Hurt
were carried into the rotunda and into
various adjoining apartments of the
Capitol, where first aid and treatment
was given them. "A number were hur-
ried to hospitals in ambulances, but
the majority either were taken to or
subsequently went unassisted to their
homes. After the crush had been
abated upon the staircase and plaza inn
mediately in front Of 1t were found tat
tered pieces Of mems and women's
wearing apparel of all kinds, crushed.
hats, gloves and even shoes. Watches.
pocketbooks. keys and knives were
picked up.
When the remains Of the dead presi-.
dent were finally closed forever to the
view Of Washington people the cavalry
escort again was formed and conveyed,
them to the special train which carried
the body to Canton. The magnificent
display of floral offerings numbering no.
less than 125 pieces, and making the
most remarkable floral tribute ever
seen here, were taken to h station.
from the capitol in carriages and wag-
ons, and there placed aboard a special
a which had been provided for them.
Three section, comprising in all twenty
passenger coaches, were necessary to
accommodate all those who accepted
invitations to make the journey to Can
ton.