Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-09-14
HOW THE NEWS CAME
Fire and Church Bells are Tolled
And People Fill the
Streets.
A SAD BUT MEMORABLE SCENE
Throng Spends Early Part of
Night at 7Argus Office
Waiting for End.
/ SAD BUT MEMORABLE SCENE

III hOCk 1s1duu, DIS SIScW HOI e
throughout the land, the tidings of
the presidents death was awaited
with deep anxiety. The ARGUS
temporary quarters. where bulletins
were received till past midnight, was
thronged up to the hour of closing
with sad but eager crowd. AS mes
sage after message was received blast
ing all hope of the presidents survival
till morning and finally pronouncing
death but matter of few hours, or
even minutes, the despair deepened on
every face. NJ. r. Mckinley, cousin
of the dying president. was among
those in receiving his bulletins
through THE ARGUS service till the
last ray of hope had gone.
Plans for Ringing Bells.
Mayor Knox, Fire Chief Hastings
and a number of citizens arranged
for the tolling of the fire and church
bells when the notice was received
that the end was at hand. Many re-
manned on the streets till long
groups and quietly waiting. When,
=
central engine house broke the silence
in token of the receipt OF the sad mes
sage, and the churches about the city
took up the refrain, people crowded
out upon the street, those who had
been up leaving the places where
they had been waiting and others
rising from sleepless beds to learn
such particulars as were available.
For half an hour or more Second
avenue was crowded and the sight to
those who were abroad of so many
people mingling in sympathy at the
unusual hour was one never to be
forgotten.
Evidences of Sorrow.
All about the city today signs of
public mourning are in evidence.
Flags on the schools and other public
buildings are at half mast and at
private places of business the national
celors are displayed draped in crepe.
At the postofiice the national colors
are draped, and at the court house
pictures of the dead statesman were
placed over each entrance and heavily
draped in black.
Three is already talk of memorial
services in the city at the time the
funeral takes place. 1t is proposed
to call upon all organized bodies to
turn out on that occasion. At an in
formal meeting of citizens, headed by
Mayor Knox this morning. it was de-
| cided best that no official action
should be taken till Monday night,
when the council meets. Then the
mayor will probably issue procla-
/ -nation on the subject and suitable
action will be taken by the council.
Religious Observances.
There will be union memorial
service, on account of the death of
the nations chief, at the Methodist
church at Milan at 3 tomorrow after
noon. The exercises will be con-
Quoted by Revs. j. b. Bartle and
Marion Humphreys. In the evening
Mrs. j. w. Frizzell, of this city, will
give an address at the same place on
Rome"
There will be requiem service for
President Mckinley at 10:45 tomor-
row morning at Trinity Episcopal
/ church.
| Press Club Meeting Deferred.
President P. S. McGlynn. of the
Tri-City Press club, announces that
out of respect to the memory of the
nations chief, the annual meeting OF
the organization will be deferred from
next Tuesday evening till one week
later, Sept. "a.