Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-09-19

and took up her position at the head
of the stairs, where she could hear
the services.
The friends and public associates Of
the dead president all had oppor-
tunity to view the remains before the
service began. Senator Hanna, who
had fairly worshipped mis- dead friend
for years, entered the room, but did
not approach the casket. His face
was set like an iron-willed man who
would not let down the barrier of his
grief. The senator spoke to no one.
His eyes were vacant.
Just before II o'clock President
Roosevelt entered, coming into the
room from the rear through the IL
brary. After passing into the hall
he had made his way around through
the sitting room behind into the IL
hrary. There was an instantaneous
movement in the room as the presi-
dent approached. 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. Every
one rose and all eyes were turned
toward the president. He moved for
ward again with the tide of the pro-
,ession to his place ut the head Of the
line of cabinet officers. When he
reached the head Of the line of cabi-
net officers he kept his face away
from the casket. Then the president
turned and at the same time ad-
sanced one step. He bowed his head
and looked down upon the man whose
burden and responsibilities he had
taken.
The signal was given and there
welled out from the hall the beauti-
ful words of Lead, Kindly Light"
sung by a quartette. 1t was Presi-
dent McKnley's fnvorite hymn.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the words Of the ff-
teenth chapter OF the First Corin-
fhians. All had risen MS he began
and remained standing throughout
the remainder of the service. Again
the voices rose with the words OF
Nearer, My God, to Thee" the very
words President Mckinley had re-
peatcd at intervals OF consciousness
luring the day of agony before he
died. AS the music died away the
pastor spoke again.
"Let MS pray" he said, and every
aead fell upon its breast. After his
invocation all present joined in the
lords prayer. The service concluded
with simple benediction. The fu-
,eral director was about to step for
ward to place the cover on the casket
when suddenly there was movement
behind Gov 0dell. Senator Hanna,
who had risen, saw that the last OPP
,ortunty to look into the face Of his
dead friend had come, Pressing for
ward in an instant he was at the side
,f the casket and bending over and
ooking down into H. Almost two
minutes passed and then he turned
away and the coffin was closed.
II was within n minute OF 1880.
o'clock when three long rolls OF
munled drum told those outside the
lousc that the funeral cortcgc was
about to appear. Tenderly the bear
ers lowered the casket from their
shoulders and placed It in the hearse.
The soldiers and sailors swung into
columns and took up the march
,onihward toward the city hall. After
hem followed long line Of carriages
occupied by those who had been near
the president officially and person.
ally, and who followed more as
friends than as officials. None OF the
members Of the family entered the
carriages.
The caskct was lifted from the
hearse to the shoulders Of the sail
ors and marines and was borne into
Buffalo's official home. A moment
later and the body Of President Me-
Kinley was lying in state.
Throughout the long hours OF the
afternoon there was never II cessa-
tlon Of the silent, moving stream Of
people who passed into the city hall.
In the early hours the function was
rendered disagreeable by the violent
rain. At five o'clock, however, the
heavens again cleared. The crowds
grew larger until those in charge
found II necessary to extend the
nonrs. Owing to the presence OF so
many waiting thousands II was de-
.ided to leave the city hall open in
definitely.