Evening star., 1901-09-16

pathetic awoke to get vantage place
from which to view the departure OF the
dead President. police and soldiery had an
ticipated them.
At the Milburn mansion, where the fam
iIy of the dead statesman slept: at the
Wilcox mansion, where the new President
reposed, and down town near the city hail.
where the silent form of the former Presi-
dent lay, the guards were formed early
and the streets kept clear of people.
1t was not particularly pleasant
morning The sun shone. but the wind
blew in strong, fitful gusts across the city,
tearing down the drapngs and raising
clouds of dust.
At the Milburn mansion. where Mrs. Nc
Kinley was. the servants were astir early,
and there was more activity about the
house than has been since the shooting.
BY so o'clock there were transfer wagons
and carriages drawn up at the corners near
the house, and those within were up ana
preparing for the journey to Washington
Mrs Mckinley was not awakened until
after o'clock, when DR.. Rixey went 70
the room with one of her attendants. sne
had not slept well despite the fact tnat sne
is almost thoroughly exhausted. and that
DR.. Rixey had given her sleeping potion.
The first thing she asked was repetition
of the query of the last two days: w hen
can I see the major?'. DR.. Rixey told her
that they were going to let her see him to-
day, 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 7:SO the baggage was
ready and two truckloads of 1t moved to
the depot. In one wagon was hospital
bed and it was thought that this was for
use of Mrs. Mckinley, in view of the Ger
tainty of the fatigue of the journey and
the possibility of a collapse.
Col. Bingham in Charge.
Colonel Bingham, who was in charge of
the arrangements, said at 1:45 that none or
the party would go to the city hall. whare
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. were
driven to the train SO that they might ar
range all comforts possible for the stricken
widow.
A few minutes later Senator Fairbanks,
Controller Dawes and Elmer Dover, secre-
tary to Senator Hanna, emerged from the
house and entered carriage. Following,
a White House messenger rushed down
the walk and ordered the windows in one
of the carriages closed.
At 7:35 several figures stepped silently out
upon the porch and walked down toward
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 briskly,
with her head quite erect, her face hidden
hah md bar 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 could seen she sat erect and
unsupported in the carriage
The family of Abner Mckinley other rel
atives 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 trag
edy, went back into the possession of it's
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 a week had been crowded with news
paper men, telegraphic booths and waiting
carriages, resumed their wonted appear
ance; the military guard was withdrawn,
the police resumed their normal occupation
and the stirring incidents that have mark
ed the locality became memory.
President Roosevelt Arose Mt
O'Clock.
President Roosevelt did not arise until
o'clock He dressed quickly, and at 7:3O
was ready for breakfast. He breakfasted
with the family of his host, Ansley Wilcox.
Just after 8 o'clock had struck, together
with Mr.. Wilcox and his secretary, William
Loeb, jr., he got into a carriage and drove
To ha
lowed the carriage, and three or four de-
tectives and secret service men were near
by. Otherwise there was nothing to dis
tinguish the President from any other cit
iZen.
The slow and stately progress of the
Presidents body from the city hall to the
railroad station afforded the people of Buff
falo last opportunity to do honor to the
memory of the lamented executive.
At daybreak city hall was as quiet and
peaceful as the dead within its walls.
Statue-like. the members Of the guard of
honor at the catafalque maintained their
positions throughout the long hours Of the
night. There was a sergeant of artillery
at the head of the bier, marine at the
foot. At one side was a sergeant of in
fantry, the other a marine. The mas
sive wooden doors of the building were
closed and the iron outer yates were bolted.
l. Atrial of Bluejackets.
1t was a few minutes after 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 am. forty SAIL
ors 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 city hall. Four
minutes later the four-horse hearse drew
up and company of marines filed into po-
siton. Five of the cabinet officers arrived
in two carriages. The first carried Secre-
tary Long and Postmaster General Smith.
The other held Attorney General Knox,
Secretary Wilson and Secretary Hitchcock.
United States Senator Joseph r. Hawley
| of Connecticut was next to arrive.
Exactly at the appointed hour, 7:45 am.
| the escort was iE perfect readiness. In
| clarion tones Major Mann, commanding the
| escort, delivered the order present arms y
| Nciselessly, and with the precision of the
ell-drilled soldier, the arms leaped to
| position; the commanding officer turned
| about, and, facing the house Of the dead,