The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1901-09-26

p ' t~s 'hoA'A'N WIN
bowed hegda.
After the eulogy on the dead by
Bishop Andrews Of the Methodist
Episcopal church, who had come
from Ohio to say The last words over
the remains of his lifelong friend
and parishioner, arose. He stood al
the head Of the casket and spoke in
a sympathetic voice and with many
evidences Of deep emotion.
The address lasted but bare
quarter of all hour. AS the bisnep
concluded every one in the vast
rOtunda rose and the choir, ,ntoning
the air, hundreds of voices joining
in the grand old 5ymn, "Nearer,
My God, to Thee"
1t " as an affecting moment. In
the midst Of the singing Admiral
Evana, advancing with silent tread,
placed beautiful blue floral cross at
the foot of the casket.
The last notes died away softly,
and with uplifted hands the bene-
diction was pronounced by Rev. DR..
w. II. Chapman, acting pastor OF
the Metropolitan hurch. This end
ed the religious services. There
was pause fer few minutes while
the ushers cleared the ais'es and the
assemblage began to withdraw.
President Roosevelt and the cabi-
net repaired to the presidents room
in the senate wing of the capitol.
The People Take Last Look.
As soon as the rOtunda was clear
ed of those who had been invited to
attend the religious services, the
bier was prepared for the inspection
Of the general public. The floral
offerings which covered the coffin
were put aside and the lid was lifted
from the head Of the coffin.
AS the coffin rested upon the
catafalque i. was just about high
enough to permit of easy inspection
by adults. The crowd enter, d
through the east door Of the capitol
and passed out through the west
exit. The people came in double
file, one line passing to the right
and the other to the left of the
rasket. Only hurried glance Was
permitted to any one. About 1870
people were enabled to view the re-
mains every minute.
The crowd consisted of men, Wo-
men and children and all colors and
ages were represented. Many chill
dren were carried through the build
ing in the arms of their parents.
AS the body OF the dead president
lay in state it was guarded by rep
resentatives of all branches of the
nations martial service, under COM
mand Of General w. F. Randolph,
chief of artillery.
The whole scene was photograph
ed scores of times. Apparently the
thrOng was in an apprehensive state
of mind, for every time a flashlight
picture was taken piteOus screams
were heard from the people about
the entrance.
Frightful Calamity Narrowly Averted.
AT O'Clock a frightfuI 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 await
ing an opportunity to enter the
rotunda. When the doors were
. opened tens of thousands of people
rushed almost frantically to the
main staircase. The police and mill
tary guards were swept aside and al
most in twinkliDg there was tire
) mendous crush at the foot of the
great staircase. The immense throne
, swept backWaod and forward like
2 the surging of mighty sea. Wo
f men and children, few of the lat
ter, babes in arms, were caught il
the crowd and many were badl!
hurt. Strong men held children
: and even women, high above th'
g heads of the surgipg crowd to pro
: tect them from bodily injury.
J Despite the efforts of the polio,
and military and the cooler head
$ in the throng, approximately hun
I dred people were injured. Some 0
the more seriously hurt were carries
into the rotunda and into variOu
q adjoining apartments of the capitol
;, where first aid treatment was give
e them. A number were hurried t
e hospitals in ambulances, but tn
}. majority either were taken to Q
e subsequently went unassisted to thei
y homes. After the crush had bee
t abated upon the staircase and plazs
J, Immediately in front of it wer
y found tattered pieces of mems an
e women's wearing apparel of a
n kinds, crushed hats, gloves and eve
D, shoes. Watches, pocket-books, key
It and knives were picked up.
! The most terrible congestion WI
!. on the capitol steps and at the el
- trance door. At the latter poir
there was such extreme pressul
y that numbers Of women fainte,
? Many who thus became helple
~ were lifted up bodily and carrie
out over the heads of the crow,
y while others, less fortunate, we
trampled under foot and serious
~ bruised. Of the latter twenty
y twenty-five were taken into Il
- capitol. The room immediatelyu
der the rOtunda where the president
remains lay was temporary h(
IN pital, filled with screaming wome
d. lying prone upon improvised couch,
It, One of them had a broken arm al
,r- another had suffered internal injuri
n. which caused excruciating pain.