The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-20

CA III JS6Ao Il hSAh@N 1ALS. DaN
though her support was gone she had
not broken down. Dry-eyed she gazed
upon him and fondled his face. h
did not seem to realize that he was
dead. 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
Williams OF Chicago, Miss Barber, Miss
Mary Barber and Dr.. RiXey remained
with her there. The other members OF
the family, Mr.: n MRS: Abner Nc
Kinley. Miss Helen Mckinley, Mrs.
Duncan, Miss Duncan, Mr.. and Mrs.
Barber and DR.. and Mrs. Baer had
withdrawn into the library to the north
of the drawing room in which the cas-
ket lay and here also gathered other
friends when the service was held.
The friends and public assistants of
the dead president all had opportunity
to view the remains before the review
began. The members Of the cabinet
had taken leave before the others ar
rived. They remained seated beside
their dead chief while the sad process
sion viewed the body. 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 countenance that their
frames shook in c~onvulsive sObs. Sew
eral 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.
ROOSEVELT ENTERS.
Jus before 1 o'clock President Roose-
welt entered coming into the room
from the rear through the library.
After passing into the hail 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 cas-
ket and ack between it and the men,
bers of the cabinet seated at it's side.
Every one rose and all eyes were
turned toward the president. He
moved forward with the tide of the
procession to his place at the head of
the line of the cabinet officers. He
held himself erect, his left hand carry
ing his silk hat. Those who were COM
ing toward him fell back on either side
to let him pass. He caused once or
twice to shake hands silently but there
was no smile to accompany his greet
ings. He. too, like the a deep down
in his seat against the wall, who had
forgotten to rise h the president
of the United States entered seemed to
be restraining his great grief. When
President Roosevelt cached 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 statute. AL
though the commander-in-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 him.
sell for a look into the face of him
whose death made him the first ruler
of the world. The tention in the room
was great. Every n seemed to be
waiting. The minister of the gospel
stood with the holy book in his hand
ready to begin. Perhaps it might have
been 60 seconds. 1t seemed longer.
Then the president turned and at the
same time advanced a step. He bowed
his head and looked Down upon the
man whose burden and responsibility
he had taken up. Long he gaZed,
standing immovable save for a twitch-
ing of the muscles of the chin as he
IabOred with heavy breath to repress
MS emotion. At last ne stepped back.
Colonel Bingham, the aide to the presi-
dent. standing 10 feet below the foot
of the casket at the side of the loyal
COrtelyou glanced in the direction of
Rev. Charles Edward Locke, of the
Delaware Avenue NJ. T. church, who
was 10 conduct the service.
THE SERVICES.
The pastor was at the door leading
into the haIl. 4 situation where his
words could be heard at the hea of the
stairs. The signal was given and there
welled out from the hall the beautiful
words OF Lead Kindly Light sung
by 4 Quartette. 1t was President Nc
Kinley's favOTite hymn. Every one
within sound of the music and half of
them in the room put their faces in
their hands to hide their tears. Comp
trOIler Dawes leaned against a book
case and wepr. President Roosevelt
seemed to be sWayins to and fro as If
his footing were insecure.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the words of the 10Th
chapter of the First Corinthians. All
had risen as he began, and remained
standing throughout the remainder of
the services. Again the voices rose
with the words Nearer My God to
Thee" the very words President Nc
Kinley had repeated at intervals OF
consciousness during the day of agony
before he died. AS the music died
away the pastor spoke again Let us
pray" he said, and every head fell
upon its breast. He began his inyoca-
ton with Il stanZa from a hymn in the
Methodist church. His prayer was as
follows:
"Oh God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home"
We. Thy servants humbly beSeech
Thee for manifestations OF Thy favor
as we come into Thy presence. We
laud and magnify Thy holy name and
praise Thee for all Thy goodness. Be
..-,sE ,,1-0 ~ onI hlacS ne ne
stricken with overwhelming sorrow we
come to Thee. Forgive US for our
doubts and fears and faltering faith.
pardon all our sins and shortcomings
and help us to say THY will be done"
In this dark night Of grief abide with
US till the dawning. Speak to our
troubled souls o God, and give to US
in this hour of unutterable grief the
peace and quiet which Thy presence
only can afford. We thank thee that