Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-18
Of Services Over Mar
tyred President
Nothing but Hymn, Song and
Prayer Offered
Thousands Upon Thousands Viewed
Body Lying In State

Buffalo, Sept. 16.-Buffalo yesterday
became city Of mourners. The gay
and flaming decorations of the Pan
American exposition gave way to the
symbol of sorrow. The black drapery
of the city's streets muffied the toll
ing bells of the churches. Bits Of
crepe appeared on every sleeve. The
sorrow was apparent everywhere.
In the morning simple service took
place at the residence on Delaware
avenue where the martyped president
died. A hymn was sung and prayer
was offered over the dead body. That
was all. Only the immediate family
and the friends and political associates
of the late president were present. The
scene there was pathetic In the ex-
IRENE. Then the body was borne out
to the waiting cortege on the shoulders
of eight sailors and soldiers. The cor
tege passed through solid walls of hui
mainly, bareheaded and grief-stricken,
to the city hall, where the body lay in
state.
The day was gray and cheerless.
Heavy clouds hung over the city, at
times breaking to let through rift Of
sunshine, and then it threatened to let
loose a downpour on the gathering null
titude. The air was humid and heavy,
and only a light wind from the south
stirred the dropping flags and the EN-
blems Of mourning. The very elements
seemed to lend fitting accompaniment
to the scene of sorrow about to be en-
acted. Long before the time set for the
funeral services, the vicinity of the
Milburn house was astir with prepare
tons.
Major General John E. Brooke, who
was personally in command Of all the
forces participating in the escort, ar
rived at 10 o'clock. He was in fatigue
uniform, with service sword at his side.
The two gold stars at the collar marked
his high military rank. Around his left
arm was wound heavy band of crepe.
With him were his aides and half
score of other officers, all in fatigue uni
form, with the badge of mourning on
their sleeves.
Outside the House
The time was now approaching for
the service. The tramp of the assem-
bling military could be heard and the
walks leading up to the Milburn house
began to be lined with those who were
to assemble about the bier. Even amid
the stir of assembling a solemn silence
prevailed, and the division of the escort
came to their posts with silent bands.
At 1920 O'Clock the military and naval
detachments took temporary stations,
Immediately around the corner from the
Milburn house.
Meantime the members of the cab
met, officials high in the government
service and near friends of the martyred
president, began to fill the walks lead
ing up to the entrance of the Milburn
residence. They came separately and
In groups, some walking, while those
In carriages We're admitted within the
roped enclosure up to the curb.
1t was Just eight minutes before the
opening of the service when a covered
barouche drove up to the house, bring
ing President Roosevelt and Mr.. and
Mrs. Wilcox, at whose home he Is a
guest. The president looked very grave
as he alighted. Ills face did not relax
into a smile to the salutations of those
nearest the carriage, but he aclSnowl
edged the greetings silently, and witt
an inclination of the head. Wore
passed UP the well-filled walk that the
president had arrived, and those wait
| ing to gain entrance fell back, max
| ing a narrow lane through which Mr.
Roosevelt passed to the house.
As the president passed within The
| house and the services were about t.
begin, the long line OF sailors aud sol
| diers swung into column of Tours int
| Delaware avenue, and formed in bat
TALON front along the thoroughfare
They stood at parade rest. with color
lowered, each flag wound about it
staff with band of crepe.
| La the House OF Death
Within the house of death was wo
unspeakable. In the drawing room t
the right of the hall as President Roose
Welt entered, the dead chieftain wa
stretched upon his bier. On the nobl
face was written the story of tn
Christian forebearance with which b
had met his martyrdom. A look o
calm and peaceful resignation was o
the marble-like features. Only tn
thinness of the face fore mute test
mony to the patient suffering he had ell
dured. He was dressed as he Away
did in life. The black frock coat wa
buttoned across the breast where tn
first bullet of the assassin had strucl
The black string tie below the standin
collar showed the little triangle of whit
shirt front. The right hand lay {
his side. The left was across his bod
He looked as millions of his countr.
men have seen him, save for one thin
The little badge of the Loyal Legio