The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-19
THE SAD ARRIVAL.
silently the Funeral Train Draws
Into CantOn-NO Whistle, No Ben
Announces It's Coming.


Into Canton-No whistle, No Ben
Announces It's Coming.
Canton, o., Sept. 1S-The sight was
profoundly impressive as the funeral
train drew into the little station at
Canton at exactly noon day. All
about the station and banked deep in
the surrounding streets were the
friends and neighbors of the martyred
President, while drawn up back of the
station were long lines of militiamen
at present arms Immediately in the
rear of the station, at the mouth of
Tenth street, was Troop A of Cleve-
land, mounted on their black chargers,
keeping the entrance of the line of
march clear.
All about were the black symbols of
mourning. The approach of the train
was unhearlded. No whistle was blown,
no bell was rung. In absolute silence 1t
rolled into the station. At the mere
sight of the train the people who had
been waiting there for hours were
greatly affected. Women sobbed and
men wept.
The Widows Homecoming.
For a full minute after it had stop
ped no one appeared.
Judge Day and his committee moved
slowly down the platform in front. of
the line of soldiers to the catafalque
car and waited. Suddenly Abner Nc
Kinley in deep black, his face tense
and drawn, appeared in the vestibule
of the car next that conveying the re-
mains and a moment later DR.. Rixey
appeared, half-carrying a frail and
broken form. 1t was Mrs. Mckinley,
arrayed in the deepest mourning. Be
meath the heavy black veil she held her
handkerchief to her eyes and her slight
figure shook convulsively. Gently she
was lifted from the car and supported
by DR.. Rixey and Abner Mckinley, and
was practically carried to a carriage in
waiting at the east end of the station
The door of the carriage was closed
and Mrs. Mckinley was driven hur-
riedly to her forlorn home on North
Market street which she had left only
two weeks ago with her distinguished
husband in the full vigor of manhood.
then gave directions for the removal
of the casket from the car. The coffin
was too large to be taken through the
door and a broad window at the side
was unscrewed and removed. While
this was going on the floral pieces in
side were carefully lifted out and
placed upon the ground at the side of
the track. When all was ready the
soldiers and sailors who had accom-
ix,C oil fIa
Buffalo emerged from the car and took
up their places.
The soldiers trailed their arms at
their sides and the sailors held their
drawn cutlasses at their sides. Only
the bodybearers were bareheaded and
unarmed.
Meantime President Roosevelt, with
his brother-in-law Capt. Cowles, of
the navy, in full uniform at his side,
had descended from the car ahead of
that occupied by Mrs. Mckinley. The
President was met by Judge Grant
of the Reception Committee and the
official party then moved to the west
of the station, where they formed in
line with the President at the head
All were uncovered.
The casket was then lifted through
the window and taken upon the brawny
shoulders of the body bearers. Only
the tears of the saddened onlookers
came unbidden and flowed freely.
The Sad Procession.
The sad procession was then formed
1t was headed by Col. Bingham in full
uniform, bow of crepe at the hilt of
his sheathed sword. Following and inn
mediately preceding the casket was
the local committee, headed by Judge
Day. Then came the soldiers and sail
ors. Slowly they moved down the plat
form to the turn at the western end of
the station where the President and
cabinet stood. AS they reached the
head of this line a clear drawn bugle
call sounded a silvery requiem. Be-
fore the President and cabinet and the |
Ohio officials the coffin was then borne |
to the hearse. When it had been plac-
ed inside the President and official
party entered carriages. Meantime Ad-
miral Dewey, Lieut.. Gen. Miles and the
other high officers of the army and
navy who compose the guard of honor
had moved around the east side of the
station They also entered carriages
and took their place in the larger pro-
cession that was now forming All
were attired in the full uniform of
their ranks. They were fairly ablaze
with gold lace. The shrillness of the
bugles had given the first sign to the
waiting multitude outside the station
that the casket was approaching. In
stantly the long lines of soldiers be-
came rigid, standing at present |
arms" The black horses of the
Cleveland troop. Immediately facing !
the station, stood motionless, their !
riders with sabers lowered. Slowly
through the entrance came the stall
wart soldiers and sailors with solemn
tread bearing aloft the fiag-covered |
coffin OF the man they loved so well.
AS Il came into view, a great sigh |
went up from the dense throng After |
the first glance many of the men and !
women turned away 20 hide their emo
tions, which they could not restrain:
When the casket had been consigned |