The Arizona sentinel., 1901-09-25

neSSeu d Spectacle or mOurnIul grandeur-the obsequies, the last sad rites paid by his home people, friends and neighbors to our loved president, William Me Kinley, whose mortal remains were laid to rest in beautiful Woodlawn cemetery. On the same day the solemn scenes of grief aud mourning-the sombre draperies, the hush of business, the sad but impressive exercises were being enacted in every hamlet, town and city in the United States, and in many of the countries of the old world. Such universal demonstrations of grief were never before wit messed over the death of any man.
 In our little town of Yuma the reverent respect paid to the memory Of our martyred presi- dent was as great and the sorrow as pronounced and sinces as the most loyal friend of the republic and its revered institutions could desire. It is with a thrill of pride that this fact is recorded.
 Every business house was closed from early in the morning until six o'clock or later in the evening. Flags were a half-mast and symbols of mourning were to be seen everywhere. For the first time in the towns history every saloon was closed, absO- lutely, all day; there was no side entrance or back door traffic, but complete suspension of business, much to the credit of the proprietors of the different places. Every business man, every citizen paid proper tribute and respect to the nations illus trious dead. It was a day of woe, and even the bright sun shine failed to dispel or lessen the gloom which seemed to per wade the very atmosphere.
 At 9 o'clock in the morning services were conducted by Rev. Father Durand at the Catholic church, which was well filled, a goodly number of those ill at tendance being Americans, and the services were solemn and fitting to the sad occasion.
 At the territorial prison serv- ices were also held in the morn ing and the prisoners evinced considerable interest and feeling over the tragic event which has caused widespread grief and mourning.
 A programme of memorial ser vices had been prepared for the day, and it was carried out with no attempt at pomp or splendor, and the services, though simple, were none the less impressive, and attended by all classes, with out regard to politics, religion, color or nationality.
 It was at first intended to hold the services in Elks' Hall, but as the time drew near 1t became so apparent that no hall in Yuma would begin to accommodate the people who desired to attend, the public school building and grounds were substituted and properly arranged and decorated for the mournful ceremonies.
 A stage was improvised in the alcove at the front of the build ing and chairs Bnd benches were placed on the lawn in front The cornice above the stage was draped in graceful folds of mourning fabric and on the wall at the rear of the stage were portraits of the three martyred presidents - Lincoln, Garfield, Mckinley. At the front and higher was another picture of our late president.
 The services were to begin at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and many of the seats were filled long before that hour. It was nearly four when the Hispano- Americana society and the Elks came down the stairway from Elks' hall, both bodies forming on main street, where they re spectfully waited for the mem herS of the Masonic lodge of