The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-20
PROGRESS OF FUNERAL TRAIN CARRY
ING MKIELEY'S REMAINS.
GREATEST SORROW MANIFESTED
All Towns Through Which the Train
Passes Crowded With People Who
Pay Reverent Respect to the Dead
Presidential some Points Railway
Track Strewn With Flowers In Front
of the Train-Mrs. Mckinley Hardly
Yet Conscious of Her Great Loss.

"1S 'OAAN AAoAA NAAo III III
impressive state this morning and
taken on his last journey to the national
capital. Thousands upon thousands
watched the procession this morning
moving towards the depot. 1t was
doubly impressive because Of its lack
of gorgeousness and because of the
fact that, following closely behind the
pa~ll-covered corpse Of h dead pres
ident followed the successor to the title
n the living change in the country's
history.
Mrs. Mckinley was not awakened
until after Z o'clock, when DE-. Rjxey
went to the room with Of her at
tendants. She had not slept we'll de-
spite the fact thai she is almost thor
oughly exhausted and that DIR. Rixey
had given her a sleeping potion. The
first thing she asked was a rem.
etition Of the query of the last two
days:
when can 1 see the major?"
DR.. Rixey told her that they were
gong TO let her see him today and she
then let her attendants dress her and
at 7:45 o'clock was ready for her light
breakfast which she took in her room
alone.
AT 1880 the baggage was ready and
two truck loads of it moved to the de-
pot. In one wagon was a hospital bed
n it was though that this was for
use of Mrs. Mckinley. in view Of the
certainty of h fatigue of the journey
n the possibility of a collapse.
At 1885 O'Clock several figures stepped
silently out upon the porch and walked
down towards the carriages. Mrs. Will
liam Mckinley, robed in garbs Of
mourning and supported by Abner Nc
Kinley on one side and DR.. Rixey on
the other, was the central figure. To
the surprise of all she walked briskly
with her head erect, her face hidden
behind her long black veil.
She got into the carriage with her
favorite niece, Miss Barber, Abner
| Mckinley and DR.. Rixey and they were
( driven at once to the depot. So far as
could be seen she sat erect and I'M
supported in the carriage.
The family of Abner Mckinley, other
relatives of the dead president and
Secretary Cortelyou followed in other
carriages and the Milburn house,
famous now because of it's connection
with a great national tragedy, went
back into the possession of it's owner
who had so kindly given it up to the
use Of h president and his family.
President Roosevelt did not arise
until z o'clock. He dressed quickly and
at 1880 o'clock was ready for break
fast. He b~reakfasted with the family
of his host, Ansley Wilcox. Just af-
ter s o'clock had struck, together with
Mr.. Wilcox and his secretary, William
Loeb, Jr., he got into a carriage and
drove to the train. A few mounted
police followed the carriage m three
or fnIrr 6nfnntix-nc on1 cnaraf cnrxina
men were near by. Otherwise there
was nothing to distinguish the presi-
dent from any other citizen.
FUNERAL PROCESSION TO THE
TRAIN.
The slow and stately progress of the
presidents body from the city hall to
the railroad station afforded the peo-
pie of Buffalo a last opportunity to do
honor to the emo of the lamented
executive.
1t was a few minutes after Z o'clock
when the doors of the city hall we :
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 cortege's escort. The bluejackets
wheeled into line directly opposite the
entrance of h city hall. Four Min
utes later the four-horse hearse drew
~ oAN Nv -
into position. Five of the cabinet Off
GERS arrived in two carriages. The first
carried Secretary Long and Postmaster
General Smith.
Exactly at the appointed hour, 7:45
o'clock, the escort was in perfect read
mess. In clarion tones Major Mann,
commanding the escort, delivered the
order present arms!" Noiselessly
and with the precision of the well
drilled soldier. the arms leaped to po-
sition; the commanding officer turned
about, and, facing the house of the
dead, brought his sword to present"
1t was an impressive moment. The
rigid soldiers and sailors were awaiting
the body of their late commander-in-
chief. 4 minute OF awe-inspiring 81
lence, and then, emerging from the
doors of the city hall there moved the
eight body-bearers. four soldiers n
four sailors. On their shoulders rest
ed the caske enclosing the body OF
the country'S beloved one.
Away down the line of soldiers from
the Sixty-ffth regimental band came
once again the strains Of Nearer My
God to Thee" Behind the long ropes
the throng uncovered, and with bowed
heads waited and watched in silence.
Tenderly the precious burden was
borne slowly down the stone-steps,
along the curved approach. to the
hearse.
The flag draped casket was lifted
gently into the hearse, and the doors
| closed. Through the windows of the
| hearse naught but Americas flag sur
| mounted by a single sheaf of wheat
could be seen.
To the front came the troops, wheel
| ing into line. and moving down Frank
lin street.
Once more the strains Of music.
This time it was the mournful dirge
Of Chopin's Funeral March, accom-
| panied by the tolling of the church
bells.
Behind the troops came the carriages
| of the members of the cabinet hen
came the hearse and following were
| comrades of the Grand Army, with a
| company Of local militia bringing up
the rear.
Down Main street h procession
moved between masses Of people all
uncovered.
The line had begun its march at T:5o
| o'clock. Half an hour later, with
measured steps and to the strains OF
/ the constantly playing band, the lihe