The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-09-17
RITES At BUFFALO
Private Services at Milburn
House Rife With Pathos.
MRS. M'klNLEY VIEWS THE BODY.

the Face of Her Dead Husband
Buffalo Public Given Chance to Take
Last Look Upon Revered President.
Buffalo, Sept. 16.-Buffalo yesterday
was a city of mourners. The gay
and flaming decorations of the Pan
American exposition gave way to the
symbol of sorrow. The black drap-
cry Of the city's streets mufled the
tolling of bells of the churches. Bits
of crepe appeared on every sleeve. The
sorrow was everywhere apparent. In
the morning a simple service took
place at the residence on Delaware
avenue, where the martyred president
died.
A hymn was sung and prayers were
offered over the dead body. That
was all. Only the immediate family
and the friends and political asso-
ciates of the late president were
present. The scene vas pathetic in
the extreme.
The day was gray and cheerless.
Long before the time set for the fu-
neral services the vicinity of the Mil
burn house was astir with prepare
tons. At 9 o'clock long platoons Of
police officers, mounted and on foot,
arrived at the grounds and were
posted in details along the Streets ap-
preaching the house. For a block
in each direction the streets were
roped off to keep back the gathering
| crowds. The time was now approach
ing for the service. The tramp of
the assembling military could be
heard, and the walks leading up to
the Milburn house began to be lined
with those who we're to be assembled
about the bier. The naval contingent
from the gunboat Michigan had ar
rived only yesterday, in order that all
branches of the military, naval and
marine service might be fittingly rep
resented.
President Enters House.
1t was just eight minutes before the
opening of the service when a covered
barouche drove up to the house bring
ing President Roosevelt. AS the
president passed within TIE house and
the services were about to begin, the
long line of soldiers and sailors
swung in columns of tours into Della
ware avenue and formed in battalion
front along the beautiful thoroughfare
opposite the house and Immediately
facing 1t. On the extreme left were
the regulars, on the right the sailors
and marines, in the center the national
guardsmen. They stood at parade
rest, with colors lowered, each flag
wound about its staff, and bound with
crepe.
Services had hardly begun wher
there was a clatter of hoofs down the
avenue, and four housekeeping black
horses came into view, drawing the
hearse which was to bear the casket
of the dead president. 1t was
heavy vehicle, without plumes or any
trappings to relieve the dead black
The hearse halted at the corner tt
await the conclusion of the services
Outside the house there was a hal
hour of silence and waiting.
In the House Of Death.
Within the house of death was wot
unspeakable. In the drawing roon
to the right of the hall as Presiden
Roosevelt entered the dead chiefta1l
was stretched upon his bier. On hi
face was written the story Of the for
bearance with which he had met hi
%martyrdom. Only the thinness of hi
face bore mute testimony to the pa
tient suffering he had endured. H
was dressed as he always was in life
The black frock coat was buttone'
across the breast where the first bu,
let of the assassin had struck. TIL
black string tie below the standin
collar showed the little triangle O
! white shirt. The right hand lay b
his side, the left was across his body
: He looked as millions of his country
men have seen him, save for on
thing. The little badge of the Loya
Legion, the only decoration he eve
2 wore. which was in the left lapel c
his coat, was missing. And thos
: who remarked it, spoke Of it and afte
the body was taken to the city ha
the little badge which he prize
through life was placed again wher
it always had been.
The body lay in a black casket on
black bearskin rug. Over the lowe
limbs was flung the starry banner b
had loved SO we'll. The flowers wei
a few, as befitted the simple nature {
8 the A spray of white chrysa1
4 themums, a flaming bunch of blood-re
a American beauty roses and a magni1
d cent bunch of violets were on the ca
4 ket. That was an.
g Stricken Wife Takes Leave.
d The family had taken leave of the
d loved n before the others arrive
n Mrs. Mckinley. the poor, grief-crushe
o widow, had been led into the chamb,
by her physician. DR.. Rixey, and ha
e sat awhile alone with him who hs
q supported and comforted her throue
s all their years of welded life. B,
% though her support was gone, she hs
no broken down. Dry-eyed, she gaze
upon him and fondled his face. ST
n. did not seem to realize that he W;
dead. Then she was led away |
le DR.. Rixey and took up her position