Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-20
MRS. MCKINLEY.

Mrs. McKinley's condition Is excIt.
Ing grave apprehension among those
caring for her.
Since she has returned to the old
home in Canton, Ohio, the full realiza-
ton OF the awful calamity has come up
on her. Wednesday evening after the
body had been brought from the court.
house and deposited 10 the little front
room formerly used 80 the Presidents
library, she pleaded to be allowed to
enter the room and sit beside the coffin.
Consent was reluctantly granted, and
for half an hour the stricken widow sat
10 the dim light beside the hower-drsp-
ed bier. Then she was led away to her
room, aud has not left IL since.
She wept piteously hour after hour
yesterday. Owing to her condition she
was able to take no part in any OF the
ceremonies. From this time on she
will be guarded with the most solcitous
care and quiet, for It is only 10 this way
that collapse can be averted.
The face of the dead President was
seen for the last time when 1t lay in
state Wednesday 10 the Courthouse.
The coffin was not opened after 1t was
removed to the Mckinley residence,
aud the members OF the family had no
opportunity to look again upon the
silent features. 1t was sealed before 1t
was borne away from the Courthouse.
When Mrs. Mckinley came into the
death chamber for her last moments
beside her dead husband she wished to
have final look at the upturned face.
But this was impossible. and the sealed
coffin with Its flowers aud flags were
all that she saw.
Until tomb near those of the Nc
Kinley children and other relatives is
prepared. the remains of the dead
president will rest in a vault guarded
day and night by members OF Company
| G, Fourteenth Regular Infantry, q. s.
A., commanded by Captain w. ). Bid
| die, jr.
president Mckinley" said Cover
nor Tyler. soften spoke of Virginia as
the mother Of his State, and, as the
bosom OF the daughter is opened to re-
ceive his body today, we would have
the world to know that Virginisns are
gathered here in this historic hall to
give expression to their sorrow and to
do honor to his name. desire to make
acknowledgment of the privilege &C.
corded me az the executive oftbe State
totpay humble tribute to his memory.
he was my friend and the friend OF my
people. His courtesy and kindness, and
his desire to help Virginia, will not be
forgotten. William Mckinley was the
agent chosen by providence to knit up
the few strands OF strife that remained
from that great struggle 10 which he bad
borne such q noble part. Yes, bis
cherished ambition was to bring the
people OF every section into closer fell
lowship and union, and with generous
hand he reached out to men OF the
South aud made them feel that 10 the
great Office OF President partisan strife
was forgotten. The cou airy has lost Q
beloved President, the South true and
loyal friend.
Mrs. Mckinley told DR.. Rixey early
ye sterday morning that she would at
tend the funeral ceremonies. He pre-
vailed upon her not to do 30. She only
consented to remain at home, however,
when she was promised that she could
spend the last hour OF the funeral in
the north parlor, where the body OF the
President was lying. She was so weak
that she had TO be carried into the
room. She sat by the casket for forty
minutes. After the ossket had been
taken away from the house Mrs. Nc
Kioley eat at one OF the windows OF
her bedroom for more than an hour
looking vscantly out ct the crowds in
the street,