The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-09-20

the stairs. The signal was given and |
there welled out from the hall the
beautiful words of Lead Kindly |
Light" sung by a quartet. 1t was
President McKinley's favorite hymn.
Everyone within sound of the music
knew it 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. Presi-
dent Roosevelt seemed to be swaying
to and fro as if his footing were lnse-
cure.
Then followed the sermon and
prayer.
All present joined in the Lords
prayer as the minister repeated II,
President Roosevelt's voice being audi
BILE at the back of the room. The
service concluded with a simple bene-
diction.
The funeral director was about to
step forward to place the cover on
the casket. when suddenly there was
a movement behind Governor Odell.
Senator Hanna, who had risen, saw
that the last opportunity to look into
the face of his dead friend had come
Pressing forward, in an instant he was
at the side of the casket and bending
minutes passed and then he turned
away and the coffin was closed.
Colonel Bingham signalled the body
bearers. Four sailors, two infantry
sergeants and two artillery sergeants
bore the casket aloft and out OF the
house. The president, cabinet and
others followed it. Mrs. Mckinley and
the members of the family remained
The widow had passed through the
ordeal bravely and without breaking
down. The trained nurses and the
personal attendants of the president
gathered on the side porch to see the
body taken away.
In the Carriage.
President Roosevelt came from the
house almost Immediately following
the casket, and, arm in arm with Sec
rotary Root, moved through the aisle
of people.
After these four carriages there was
a clear space of 100 feet and ther
came the hearse bearing the deaC
president. At the head of each of the
leading horses a police officer walked
with a hand at the bride.
On each side of the hearse walked
a detachment of soldiers and sailors
four men from the army and marin
corps on the right and as many NOR
blue Jackets under Lieutenant Eberl,
on the left. Immediately back of tn
hearse marched a score of G. A. h
veterans. who had been assigned t
this position of honor
The casket was lifted from tn
hearse to the shoulders of the sailor
and marines and was borne into Bu
falo's official home Outside ther
was not a man, so far as could be seer
who did not stand, and, denying Tn
elements with hat removed, respecte
his dead president. Inside, with steI
impressively slow and measured, IN
bearers made their way to the cat
falque A moment later and the pou
of President Mckinley was lying
state.
The scheme of the interior draplns
was unique and most artistically ca
ried out
Later superb set pieces from tt
Milburn house reached the city ha
and were given places in the syste
of decorations. OF striking beau1
was a white wreath, bearing in II
mortelles the name Chile"
Circled about the bier was a dist
guished company. To the left stoC
President Roosevelt, at his left ATTIC
new General Knox. Then came Seer
tary Long and Secretary Wilso
Across to the right Secretary Cort'
YOU stood. With him were Secreta
Root. Secretary Hitchcock and Pos
master General Smith. Guarding Il
body were a sergeant Of artillery
the head, a marine at the foot, to Of
side was a sergeant of infantry,
the other another marine.
The casket was Immediately open
TO it's fullest length. An Americ
flag was thrown across the foot of t
casket and resting against IT we
wreaths of roses. A moment of
lence prevailed Then President Roo'
welt nodded to Secretary Root
side by side they left the scene by t
rear doors, followed by the other me
bers of the cabinet. Five minut
were spent in completing arrani
ments for the admission of Buffalo
citizens Streamers of double rae
satin ribbon, white and black, we
stretched from the heads of the S
diers and sailors. a mark to be
spected by the throngs.
At 1925 o'clock the police were ne
fed that the body could be viewed
the people. A minute later and
first of the long line came through
doors Solemnly they moved throu
the doors, past the bier, to view
face of the president. Old men a
weak women and strong men a
children, leaders of men and Lahore
all were represented in the throng Il