The age-herald., 1901-09-16
BLACK DRAPERY
 ENFOLDS BUFFALO

gan.
 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 with convulsive sobs. Sev- eral clung to the side of the bier and were with difficulty persuaded to leave. Almost every face was tear-stained. The great love for this man choked all in the house
 Among those in the chamber were Sen ators Fairbanks and Burrows, Governor Yates of Illinois, Comptroller Dawes, General Manderson and Mrs. Manderson, Representative Littaeur of New York, and the consulting physicians.
 Senator Hanna, who had fairly wor- shiped his dead friend for years, entered the room at this time but did not ap- proach the casket. His face was set like an iron-willed man who would not let down the barriers of his grief The Sena- tor spoke to no one. His eyes were va cant. He pushed through the throng and seated himself behind Governor Odell. sinking far down into his chair and rest ing his head upon his hands.
 Roosevelt Enters the Room.
 Just before Il o'clock President Roose- welt entered and there was an instantane- ous movement In the room. Every one rose and all eyes were turned toward the President. He held himself erect his left hand carrying his silk hat. When President Roosevelt reached the head of the line of cabinet officers he kept his face away from the casket. The Presi- dent seemed 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 he waiting. The minister of the gospel stood with the holy book in his hand ready to begin. Perhaps 1t might have been sixty seconds. It seemed longer. Then the President turned and at the same time advanced one step. He bowed his head and looked down upon the man whose burden and responsibility he had taken up. Lors he gazed, standing immoYable asve for a twtching of the muscles of the chin as he labored with heavy breath to repress his emotion. At last he stepped back. Colonel Bingham the aide to the President, standing ten feet below the foot of the casket at the side of the loyal Cortelyou, glanced in Locke of the Delaware Avenue M E. Church, who was to conduct the service.
 Lead Kindly Light"
 The pastor was at the door looking into the hall, station whence his words could be heard at the head of the stairs. The signal was given and there welled out from the hall the beautiful words of Lead, kindly light" sung by a quar- tette. It was President McKinleys fa- vorite hymn. Every one within sound of the music knew 1t and half of those in the room put their faces In their hands to hide their tears. Comptroller Dawes leaned against a bookcase and wept. President Roosevelt seemed to be sway ing to and fro as if his footing were in- secure.
 When the singing ended the clergyman read from the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians. All had risen as 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 Presi. dent Mckinley 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 heat fell upon its breat. He began his invoca tion with a stanza from a hymn sang in the Methodist church.
 The Ministers Prayer. His prayer was, in part, as follows: We thank three for the unsuHied If. of thy servant, our martyred Presiden whom thou hast taken to his coronation and we pray for the final trump of al the divine principles of pure character and free government for which he stood while he lived and which were baptized by his blood in his death.
 Hear our prayer for blessings of con. solation upon all those who were as. sociated with him in the administration of the affairs of the government and especially vouchsafe thy presence to tn, servant who has been suddenly called tc | assume the holy responsibility of oul chief magistrate.
 70, God, bless our dear nation, ant | guide the ship of state through storm, | seas; help thy people to be brave t, | fight the battles of the Lord and wise t solve all the problems of freedom. | "Graciously hear us for comforting blessings to rest upon the family circl of our departed friend Tenderly sus tain by thine hand the one upon whom the blow of this sorrow most heavily falls Accompany her, O God, as thou has promised, through the dark valley an, shadow. and may she fear no evil be cause thou art with her.
 "Afi these things we ask in the name O | Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has taugh us when we pray to say, Our Father wht art in heaven. hallowed be thy name l Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, or earth as 1t is in heaven; give us thi. l trespasses as we forgive those wht trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation. but deliver us from evil, fol | Thine Is the kingdom and the power ant the glory. forever and ever. Amen. 1 May the grace of our Lord Jesu. | Christ, the love of God, the Father and Communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all, for ever more. Amen"
 Conclusion of the Service. All present joined in the Lords prayer as the minister repeated 1t. and Presi. dent Roosevelt's voice became audible