The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-09-19

Doors Closed ut
Midnight.
BUFFALO, Sept. 16.-Buffalo has be-
come city of mourners. The gay and
Haming decorations of the Pan-American
exposition have given way to the SYM
Dol Of sorrow. Black drapery lines tho
city's streets. Bits of Grape appear on
avery sleeve. The sorrow is indescriba-
BILE. Sunday morning single service
took place at the residence on Delaware
avenue where the martyred president
died A hymn was sung and prayer
was offered over the dead body. That
was all. Only the immediate family and
the friends and political associates of the
late president We're present
The scene there was pathetic in the ex-
IRENE. Then the body was borne out to
the waiting cOrtege on the brawny shoul-
ders of eight sailors and soldiers Of the
republic. The cortege passed through
solid walls of living humanity. bare
neaded and grief stricken, to the city
hall, where the body lay in state in the
afternoon.
There remarkable demonstration oc-
cured which proved how close the presi-
dent was to the hearts of the people.
Arrangements had been made to allow
the public to view the body from the
time 1t arrived, at about 80 o'clock,
until about . o'clock, but when the body
arrived the people were wedged into
the streets for blocks far ms the eye
could reach. Two lines were formed.
They extended lterslly.for miles.
When o'clock came, 10000 people
nd hn ,,-ls
waiting in the streets seemed undiminish-
ed. 1t was decided to extend the time
until midnight Then for hours longer
the streets were dense with people, and
A constant stream flowed up the steps of
he broad entrance into the hall and
passed the bier. When the doors were
closed at midnight it was estimated that
10000 people had viewed the remains,
but thousands of disappointed ones were
still in the streets. The body lay in the
eity hall until morning, when it was
taken to the station by military escort,
and at $50 the funeral train started for
Washington over the Pennsylvania rail-
road.
The day was gray and cheerless.
Heavy clouds hung over the city, at
hmes breaking to let through rift of
sunshine and then threatening to let
loose downpour upon the gathering
multitude. The air was humid and
heavy, and only light wind from the
south stirred the dropping flags and the
embems of mourning. The very ele-
nents seemed to lend fitting accompani-
ment to the scene of sorrow about to be
enacted. Long before the time set for
The funeral services the vicinity Of the
Milburn house was astir with prepara-
lions.
Within the house OF death was woe un-
speakable. In the drawing room to the
right of the hall as President Roosevelt
entered the dead chieftain was stretched
hpon his bier. His head was to the rising
sun. On the noble face upturned to the
Creator was written the story of the
Christian forbearance with which he had
met his martyrdom. "Thy will, not ours
be DONE" he had murmured when the
Tread messenger of death touched and
summoned him. A calm and peaceful res
lgnatiOn not of earth was on the marble
features. Death had emphasized the no.
Dleness of his countenance. Only the
,hinness of his face bore mute testimony
TO the patient suffering he had endured
He was dressed as ne always did in life
The black frock coat was buttoned across
the breast, where the first bullet of the
infamous assassin had struck The black
string tie below the standing collar show
ed the little triangle of white shirt front
The right hand lay mt his side. The left
was across his body.
The body lay in black casket on a
b!ack bearskin rus. Over the lower limbs
was flung the starry banner he had loved
20 well. The flowors We're few, as befitted
We simple nature of the man.
Two sentries, one from the sea and one
from the land, guarded the remains. They
stood in the window embrasures behind
tlse head of the casket.
The family had taken leave of their
toved one before the others arrived. Mrs.
Mckinley, the poor grief crushed widow,
had been led into the chamber by her
physician, DIR. Rixey, and had sat awhile
alone with him who had supported and
cemforted her through all those sweet
years of welded life. But though her
support was gone sne nau not. broken
down. Dry eyed she had gazed upon him
and fondled his face, She did not seem to
realize that he was dead. Then she had
been led away by DIR. Rixey and had tax
en- up her position at the head of the
stairs where she could hear the service.
About hundred in all saw the re-
mains. Some were so overcome with grief
at the sight of the thin, placid counte-
nance that their frames shook in convul-
siYe sobs. Several clung to the side OF the
bier and with difficulty could he persuad-
I'd to leave. Almost every face was tear
stained. The great love for this man
choked all the house.
Rev. Charles Edward Locke Of the
Delaware Avenue Methodist Episcopal
church, conducted the service.
The Dcnthbed Scenes.
BUFFALO, Sept. 14.-President Me
Kinley died at 2:15 O'clock this morning.