Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1901-09-21

! Oh HIS lace. one ulu hot SSOt w ~
alize that he was dead Then she was
led away by DIR. Rixey and TOOK up
/ her position at the head of the stairs,
where she could hear the services
Mrs. Hobart, the widow of the vice
president during ~. McKinley's first
term, Mr.. LafayS a McWilliams OF
Chicago, Miss Bari NJ Miss Mary Bar
Der and DR.. Rixey remained with her
The other members Of the family, Mr.
and Mrs. Abner Mckinley, Miss Helen
Mckinley. Mrs. Duncan, Miss Duncan,
Mr.. and Mrs. Barber and DR.. and Mrs.
Baer, had withdrawn to the library to
the north of the drawing room. in
which the casket lay, and here also
remained other friends when the SER
vice was held,
The friends and public associates of
the dead president all had opportunity
to view the remains before the SER
vice began.
Senator Hanna, who had fairly wor-
shipped his dead friend for years, en-
tered the room at this time, but did
not approach the casket.
Just before II o'clock President
Roosevelt entered, coming into the
room from the rear through the libra
ry. After passing into the hall he
had made his way around through the
sitting room behind into the library.
There was an instantaneous movement
in the room as the president ap-
preached. The procession was still
passing from the south side around the
head of the casket and back between
it and the members Of the cabinet seat.
ed at its side. Everyone rose and
all eyes were turned toward the presi.
dent. He moved forward again with
the tide of the procession to his place
at the head of the line of cabinet Off.
GERS. He held himself erect, his left
hand carrying his silk hat Those
who were coming toward him fell back
on either side to let him pass. He
paused once or twice to shake hands
silently, but there was no smile to
accompany his greetings. He, too.
like the man deep down in his seat
against the wall, who had forgotten
to rise when the president of the Unit
ed States entered seemed to be re-
straining great grief. When Presi-
dent Roosevelt reached the head of
the line of cabinet officers he kept his
hoNO away Tie CdShGL.
The president appeared to be steel
ing himself for look into the face
of him whose death had made him the
first ruler of the nation.
The tension in the room was great
everyone seemed to be waiting. The
minister of the gospel stood with the
holy book in his hand ready to begin.
Perhaps it might have been 60 Sec
onds, it seemed longer. Then the
president turned and at the same time
advanced one step. He bowed his
head and looked down upon the man
whose burden and responsibility he
had taken upon himself. Long he
gazed, standing immovable save for
twitching OF the muscles of the chin
as he labored with heavy breath to re-
press his embtion. At last he stem
ped back. Colonel Bingham. the aide
10 the president, standing III feet be-
low the foot of the casket at the side
of the loyal Cortelyou, glanced in the
direction of the Rev. Charles Edward
Locke Of the Delaware Avenue Metho
dist church, who was to conduct the
service. ws
The pastor was at the door leading
into the hail. station whence his
words could be heard at the head of
the stairs. The signal was given and
there welled out from. the hall the
beautiful words of LEAD Kindly
Light sung by quartet. 1t was
President McKinley's favorite hymn.
Everyone within sound of the music
knew it and half of those in the room
put their faces in their hands to hide
their tears. Comptroller Dawes leaned
against bookcase and wept Presi
dent Roosevelt seemed to be swaying
to and fro as if his footing were inse
cure.
Then followed the sermon and
prayer.
All present Joined in the Lords
prayer as the minister repeated E it.
President Roosevelt's voice being audi
bic at the back of the room. The
service concluded with a simple bene-
diction
The funeral director was about to
step forward to place the cover on
the casket, when suddenly there was
a movement behind Governor Odell.
Senator Hanna, who had risen. saw
that the last opportunity to look into
the face of his dead friend had come.
Pressing forward, in an instant he was
at the side of the casket and bending
over looked down into it. Almost two
minutes passed and then he turned
away and the coffin was closed.
Colonel Bingham signalled the body
bearers. -Four sailors, two infantry
sergeants and two artillery sergeants
bore the casket aloft and out of the
house. The president, cabinet and
others followed it. Mrs. Mckinley and
the members of the family remained
Tho widow porr11 tl.o,,~1, A.