The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-16
ON HIS FINAL JOURNEY.

tive OF the nation who came to Buffalo
few days ago as the guest of the city,
wa3 taken outin silent splendor, his career
ended as far as his dominant PERSONAL
ity is concerned. although his policies
viii remain Thousands upon thou
sands watched the impressive process
sion this morning moving towards the
depot. 1t was doubly impressive be-
cause of its lack of gorgeousness and
because of the fact that closely behind
the pail covered corpse of the dead pres
ident followed the successor to the title
and the living change IN the country's
history.
Buffalo stirred early this morning,
but early as its inhabitants curious or
sympathetic, awoxe to get a vantage
place from which to view the departure
Of the dead president. police and sol
diery had anticipated them.
At the Milburn mansion where the
family Of the dead statesman slept, at
the Wilcox mansion where the new
president reposed and down town near
the city hall where the silent form OF
the former president lay, the guards
were formed early and the streets kept
clear Of people. 1t was not a particular
" pleasant morning. The sun shone,
but the wind blew in strong ftful
gusts across the city, tearing down the
drapings and raising clouds OF dust
EARLY ASTIR
At the AIilburn mansion. where Mrs
Mckinley was, the servants were astir
early and there was more activity
about the house than has been seen
since the shooting By haJf-past six
o'clock there were transfer wagons and
carriages drawn up at the corners near
the house and those within were up
and preparing for the journey to Wash
ington.
Mrs Mckinley was not awakened
until z O'Clock when DR.. Rlzey went TO
the room with one of her attendants.
She had not slept well despite the fact
that she is almost thoroughly exhaust
ed and that DR.. Rixey had given her a
sleeping potion. The first thing she
asked was repetition of the query OF
the last two days, When can see the
ma jor2' DIR. Rixey told her that they
We're going to let her see him today
and she then let her attendants dress
her and at 7:45 was ready for her light
breakfast which she took in her room
alone.
At 7:2O the baggage was ready and
two truck loads of II moved to the
depot. In one wagon was a hospital
bed, and it was thought that this was
for use of Mrs. Mckinley in view of the
certainty of the fatigue OF the journey
and the possibility of a collapse.
Col Bingham who was in charge of
the arrangements said at 7:45 that none
Of the party would go to the city hall
where the body lay. but that all would
go directly to the train. This would be
done on Mrs. McKinley's account. At
7:32 the Misses Duncan, nieces Of the
late president We're driven TO the train
so that they might arrange all comforts
possible for the stricken widow A few
minutes later Senator Fairbanks Comp
troller Of the Currency Dawes. and FL
nler Dover, secretary to Senator Hanna
emerged from the house and entered a
carriage. Following came a White
House messenger down the walks and
ordered the windows IN one OF the car
riages closed.
MRS. ATKINLEY WALKS.
At z-35 several figures stepped silent
ly out upon the porch and walked down
towards the carriages Mrs. William
Mckinley robed in garbs of mourning
and supported by Abner Mckinley on
one side and Dr. Rixey on the other
was the central figure. To the surprise
OF all she walked brislxly with her head
quite erect her face hidden beneath her
long black veil. She got into the car
riage with her favorite niece, Miss Bar
Der, Abner Mckinley and Dr-Rixey and
they were driven at once to the depot.
So far as could be seen she sat erect
and unsupported in the carriage.
The family OF Abner Mckinley, other
relatives of the dead president and Sec
retary Cortelyou followed in other car
riagess and the Milburn house, famous
now because of its connection with a
great national tragedy, went back into |
the possession OF its owner who had SO
kindly given it up to the use Of the |
president and his family.
The street corners near the house |
which for week had been crowded |
with newspaper men, telegraphic booths |
and waiting carriages, resumed their \
wonted appearances. the military guard 4
was withdrawn, the police resumed /
their normal occupation and the excit- !
ing incidents that. have marked the lo- /
CAVITY became a memory
President Roosevelt did not arise until /
o'clock He dressed quickly and at /
1880 was ready for breakfast He took /
breakfast with the family Of his host, |
Ainsley Wilcox Just after s o'clock had /
struck, together with Mr.. Wilcox and |
his secretary, William Loeb, Jr-, he got
into the carriage and drove to the train. |
A few mounted police followed the car
riase and three or four detectives and
secret service men were nearby. Other
wise there was nothing to distinguish /
the president from aay other citizen.
The slow and stately progress Of the
presidents body from the city hall to
the railway station Afforded the people
OF Buffalo a last opportunity to do
honor to the memory. of the 1amented
executive At daybraak the city han
was as quiet and peaceful as the death
within its wall. Statue-like the guard
of honor at the catafa4que maintained
Its position throughout the long hours
of the night. There was sergeant Of |
rine at the foot At one side was a
sergeant of infantry, on the other a
marine. The massive wooden doors of
the building were closed and the iron
outer gates were bolted-
It was a few minutes after z o'clock
when there came signs of life from
within the corridor, where the body of |
the president reposed. The DOORS were
flung open; the gates swung ajar At
1907 forty sailors from the United
States steamship Michigan swung up
Franklin street the first detachment of
the eortege's escort. The blue Jackets
wheeled into line directly opposite the
entrance of the city hall -Four min
utes later the fOur-horse hearse drew
up, and company OF marines fled into
position Five Of the cabinet 9ffi -ers
arrived in two carriages The first
carried Secretary Long and Postmaster