Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-09-18
the STATE FUNERAL.
Continued from page ~

drawn shades and dim burning lights
and its heavy black casket in the cen
ter of the room. the guard of honor
watched over the dead. Members of the
Loyal Legion and the G. A. II. per-
formed this sad duty.
Mrs. Mckinley had retired by 10
o'clock and at that hour all the private
apartments in the White House were
locked for the night. There were no
untoward developments in Mrs. Nc
Kinley's condition and the night gave
way to day without having broken its
sorrow.
The second stage of the late Presi-
dents journey toward the waiting
grave at Canton was begun just few
minutes after o'clock. As early as an
hour before that time the chief officers
of the government, civil. military and
judicial, began to arrive. and many
others whose names are familiar the
world over came singly and in groups
10 pay their tribute at the official home
of the nations illustrious dead.
Several members of the diplomatic
corps in court costume were among
the early comers. Former President
Cleveland and former Secretary of
War Lamont arrived about $50 and
were shown at once to seats in the Red
parior. The members of the cabinet be-
gan to arrive soon after and were i'm
reGiately followed by the members of
the Senate committee and the men,
bers of the u. s. supreme court, head
&c by Chief Justice Fuller, in their
robes of office.
IrnSidaY1f Pnn-ay-alf
O'Clock accompanied by his wife and
his sister. and went Immediately to the
Blue parlor. where they were Joined by
the members of the cabinet. The Pres
ident wore a frock coat with band Of
crepe on the left arm.
Mrs. Mckinley arose earlier than
usual to prepare for the ordeal. She
had rested quite well during the night
but her pale face told plainly of her
sufferings. She gave no sign of col
lapse. however. and her physician con-
fidently believes that she will keep up
her strength and courage to the end.
Senator Hanna reached the White
House only a short time before the
procession was to move. His face look
ed drawn and leaning heavily on his
cane, it was plainly evident that he
was suffering.
THE FUNERAL ESCORT.
While the men Of note were arriving
at the White House the funeral escort
under command of Maj. Gen. John Il.
Brooke was forming Immediately in
front of the mansion. Besides regular
soldiers, sailors and marines. the cs-
cort was made up of a detachment of
the National Guard, members of the
G. A. r., Loyal Legion and kindred
bodies and of all branches of the ma
tional government and the governors
of states and their staffs.
The public had been astir early and
the streets We're crowded with people.
Wire cables strung along the entire
route of march from the White House
to the Capitol kept it clear for the
funeral procession.
At precisely o'clock a silent COM
mand was given and the body bearers
silently and revcrently raised to their
stalwart shoulders the casket contain
ing the mortal remains of the illus
trious dead. They walked with slow
cadenced step and as they appeared at
the main door of the White House the
opposite the mansion struck up the
hymn the dead President loved so well.
Nearer. My God, to Thee" There
was perfect silence throughout the big
mansion and as the last sad strain Of
the music died away the throng in the
building lifted their heads, but their
eyes were wet.
AS the hearse moved away the
mourncrs from the White House en-
tered carriages and followed the body
ON its way to the Capitol. where the
funeral services were to be held.
1t was thought early in the morning
that Mrs. Mckinley might feel strong
enough to attend the services there
but it was finally decided that it would
be imprud1nt to tax her vitality more
than was absolutely necessary and so
she concluded to remain in her room
under the immediate care Of DR.. Rixey.
Mrs. Barber her sister. and her niece
Miss Barber.
Slowly down the White House drive
way through Il fine drizZling rain. the
solemn cortege wound its way down to
the gate leading to the avenue where
it halted. Then with a grand, solemn
swing. the artillery band began the
Dead March" from Saul, blast from
a bugle sounded March" and the
head of the procession was moving on
its way to the Capitol. The casket in
q black carved hearse and drawn by
SIX black horses. cap2risOned in black
net with trailing tassels and a stall
Wart groom at the head of each moved
down the gateway and came to a
stand alongside the moving procession
Maj Gen. John T. Brooke was at
the mead of the line. mounted on a
. splendid charger Behind him came
ms aides. the relocated artillery
band, a squadron of cavalry with red
and white guidons limp in the damp
air, battery of field artillery with the
men sitting straight and stiff as stat
ues. company of engineers, two bat
taiions of coast artillery and a detach-
meht OF the hospital corps.
Then came the naval contingent of
the lirst section. headed by the Marine
Band, followed by battalion of ma
rines and one of the sailors of tho
North Atlantic squadron, very pictur-
esque and strong.
AS the National Guard of the Dis
trict of Columbia brought up in tn,