Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-09-26

flag his hand in life even upheld. The
lines Of people were there just the
same, but a hush was over the multi
tude. The air was not rent with
cheers, the hands not waved Heads
were bowed, uncovered, and the eyes
were dim with tears, as solemn and
slow Mckinley, the beloved, passed by.
on his last ride down the avenue
Everywhere were crape-draped flags
and pictures Of the dead, long stream
ers Of black and Tags at half-mast and
signs Of sorrow on every face. Many
wore McKinleyis picture with black
~rosettes or streamers. a crape-draped
.earnati0n or some other badge Of re-
spect and mourning.
We went down to the Capitol, but
felt I'VE couldn't stand in the rain all
day to get to see the remains, 81 We
went back SO town, got lunch, and
then went out TO the Capitol again
and viewed the crowd. Il was i'm
mense. The crowds were made to.
form in line Of twOs 10 pass In and
every street had its line, most Of
whom stood in the rain for hours and
some then didn't get In. We had no.
hope Of getting in. So we watched
the people going In for a while and
then I determined 10 make n more
effort. So | turned TO big, kindly
faced policeman and said, almost with.
tears in my eyes, for | did want 10 go.
In: Cant you help me 10 get in some
way My husband is an officer in the
army and l am so anxious 10 60 in.
He smiled kindly and said; rs there
anyone with yoagn ] said: only
this gentleman, a surgeon in the
army He said, 'Just follow me-
and he took us through the line Of
policemen and put Us in place just at
the foot Of Gthe steps and in five min
utes We were inside, but OH such a
momentary glance, for they were bur
rying everyone 50. Before we got in
sight Of the catafalque ! got t9.see
lots Of the floral offerings and how
beautiful they were. A great wreath
Of white roses with President Rose
veltr ID a heavy black writing on acard
attached was hung over the foot Of
the fiagdraped coffin. Much suffering
had wrought a great change in the
great mans face. II looked thin and
worn and with the marble color OF
death upon it, seemed 70 me TO be
changed almost beyond recognition
Poor martyr. How glad / am that
have never had any feeling for hin
but love and honor and that / have
ever upheld him in all that his patri'
otto love Of country has led him to do.
We shall never have another like him
But now that he is gone, LET Us up
hold bis successor who has ayowed bis
purpose to follow in his footsteps.
An enclosed letter from Lieutenant
johnson says:
"As my wife has dwelt at length or
Tuesdays occurences-her part Of it
III tell you my part. Reyeille was al
5 a. m. and breakfast as soon there
after as we could get It. And by ST,
we were at the wharf In full dresl
uniform ready to board the steamer
Samuel J. Pents,' for our third-ml
second-march for the honors OF Nc
Kinly, the one We had never imagined
we would be called on 10 perform. We
formed ON Pennsylvania yenue al
18th street in time TO move of at s:17
when we were called to attention and
moved forward. We marched from
the boat through a rain and most d
our march toward the Capitol wai
pretty damp; also back again TO ths
boat, which we reached about I'LL
a. m. My uniform was not hurt IS II
had been tried on the Potomac, but
others we're damp for the frst time
Lieut.. RhOads and / went up and gol
a lunch; then We went to the Capitol
Arrived there Just after the crush al
the east door and saw the ground GOV.
cred with umbrellas, hats canes over
shoes, sc. When the door vas opened
again for entrance Rhoads led the wal
on his nerve and, trusting 10 his uni
form TO get him through, started "
the side lines and entered the column
at the door asif We owned the grounds
The excitement and the hurry almost
made US forget the solemnity Of the
occasion until we saw the casket IN
front Of us. Then, as / looked In the
Presidents face almost started back.
Il was 20 changed from shat IL was
on March 4th and from his pictures.
The eyelids and lips Were becoming
purple and his death-white face with
tie white satin background, al
made me lose ny look / would have
taken a second glance, but was car
ried on by the crowd.
Every little house or shanty We
passed from the Capitol TO the boat
had On il McKinley's picture framed
10 mourning. Unless has seen a
large city in mourning he can hardly
imagine a.
"The sentiment now against an.
arehists Is pretty strong, bat ! fear It
viii die out before anything Is done.
II seems that. considering the fact
one-thiFd u our Presidents Of the last
40 yezB have been assassinated, Il Is