The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-09-20

Washington, Sept. l7--Au that is
mortal of VIM. Mckinley is speeding
toward it's last earthly resting place
at his beloved home in Canton, after
the nation had officially and with state
ceremony, paid it's tribute of respect
and love to the memory Of it's stricken
chief magistrate. This was almost
the closing act in the awful tragedy
which has drenched the civilized
world in tears. Beneath the great
white dome of the capitol funeral ser
vices of state were held today over
the remains of the dead president.
1t was eminently fitting that the SER
vices should be conducted in that
beautiful rotunda hallowed by the his
tory of the last sad rites of two other
martyrs to the cause of the republic.
AS befitted the occasion and the char
acter of the man whose remains were
lying cold and rigid in the narrow en-
brace of the metallic casket, the ser
vices were simple. They were con-
Quoted in accordance with the rites
of the Methodist Episcopal church,
of which President Mckinley was a
lifelong member, consisting only of
two hymns, a song, a prayer, an adj
dress and a benediction, they were
beautiful and solemnly impressive.
Gathered around the bier were rep
resentatives of every phase of Amer
lean national life, including the pres
ident and the only surviving express
ident of the United States, together
with representatives at this capital of
almost every nation of the earth.
Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy,
and Spain and all the republics to the
southwark Of the United States mingl-
ed their tears with those Of the Amer
lean people.
Despite the fact that no attempt had
been made to decorate the interior
of the rotunda, beyond the arrange
ments made about the catafalque the
assemblage presented a memorable
sight. The sombre black of the hun
dreds of civilians present, vas splash
ed brilliantly with the blue and gold
OF the representatives Of the army
and the navy and the court costumes
of the diplomatic corps. AS the sweet
notes of Mr.. McKinley's favorite hymn
LEAD, Kindly Light" f1oated through
the great rotunda, the assemblage
rose to it's feet. Barred heads were
bowed and eyes streamed with tears
At the conclusion of the hymn as Rev
Nay1er, presiding elder of the Wash
ington district, rose to offer prayer
the hush hat fell Upon the people
was profound. When, in conclusion
he repeated the Lords prayer, thu
great audience Joined solemnly will
him. The murmur of their voices
resembled the roll of far distant surf
J Scarcely had the word, amen, beef
breathed when the words of the SOM
@'Some Time We'll Understand" Wen
straight to the heart of every auditor
The venerable bishop, Edwin G. An
drews, of Ohio, oldest bishop of tn
Methodist Episcopal church, the:
took his position at the head of tn
bier. The gentle breeze through tn
rotunda stirred the delicate bloom
which lay upon the coffin and "peac
that passeth all understanding seen
ed to rest upon the venerable man
"countenance as he began his eulog
of the life and works of VIM. Mckl1
ley. His words were simple, but hi
whole heart was in every one of then
His tribute to the Christian fortitud
of the dead president was impressiv'
Upon the conclusion of the sermo
the audience, as if by prearrang'
ment, Joined the choir in singin
Nearer My God to Thee" All preser
seemed to be imbued with a sent
ment of hallowed resignation as tn
Divine. blessing was asked by Re
w. H. Chapman, acting pastor OF tn
Metropolitan M. E. church, upon bot
the living and the dead.
Mrs. Mckinley did not attend tt
services at the capitol. 1t was deer
ed wise by those now nearest ar
dearest to hef, that she should not u
dergo the ordeal. She remained
the white house comforted by eve
attention that loving thoughfulne
could suggest.
At the conclusion of the funer