The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-17
EN- ROUTE TO WASHINGTON.
Incidents of the Journey of the Flu
neral Train to the Capital.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16-At East Au-
rora, the first town through which the
train passed after leaving Buffalo, the in
habitants had been augmented by thou
sands from the surrounding country. The
country schools along the way let out, and
the children the President loved so well
in life were there to see his dead body pass.
The train slowed at every station to allow
the people, lined up on either side, to get
a better view of the fag-cOvered casket.
The population of the little towns along
the way, like Holland, Arcade, Machieu
Junction, Franklinville and Hinsdale, had
tripled and quadrupled. The towns seemed
suddenly grown into cities. AS the train
slowed UP the mourners behind the cur
tanned windows of the train could hear the
tolling bells. clean was reached at 1929
o clock. There were 5000 people at the
Pennsylvania Railway station as the train
came to stop.
Mrs. Mckinley was prevailed upon to lie
down soon after the start was made There
were no flowers in the apartment set apart
for her use, and nothing 10 recall to her
mind the mournful mission on which the
train was speeding.
President Roosevelt was chartered in a
drawing room in the car Hungary, with
letters and kilograms and with the innu-
merab BILE questions which required immedi-
ate answer. The members of the Cabinet
individually cared for the more pressing
business requiring their attention. Secre-
tary Root was occupied for an hour dis
patching orders in connection with the as
sembling of troops at Washington and
other points for the ceremonies so soon TO
occur The Cabinet officers Joined Presi-
dent Roosevelt from time to time but there
was nothing in the nature of a concerted
General RrOokp in ia
uniform, with a band of crepe about his
left sleeve, conferred occasionally with the
secretary of war and with him determined
upon the military requirements of the oc-
casiOn.
Senator Hawley and Gen. Harrison Gray
Otis. Mr.. A. II. II. Aaron, Major Thomas
Simons. Capt. Henry Leonard and Capt. j.
II. Dean, aid to General Brooke, and a
committee representing the G. A. r., were
among those in the car with public men.
Two engines were used to pull the heavy
train up the mountains After leaving
clean the train descended into the valley
of the Susquehanna. At Emporium juno
ton one of the engines was taken off. The
route continued down the beautiful valley
of the river as far as Harrisburg.
was reached at 1890. the entire population
of the town was massed behind little band
of Grand Army veterans, who had planted
furled crepe-trimmed flag in front of
them.
Remove was reached at los p. m. Here
the train crews and engines were changed.
Ropes had been stretched to keep back the
crowds which surged through the neigh
boring streets. A big flag with President
McKinley's picture framed in crepe was
strung from corner to corner of the sta
ton. and I'm front of it were hundreds of
school children, their hats in their hands
and their little faces grave This was the
terminus of one of the railroad divisions,
and the train hands were all lined up with
barred heads. Some of those who travelled
with President Mckinley to California last
spring recalled how often. when the train
crews were changed on that trip President
Mckinley had sent for the trainmen 10
express his thanks.
After leaving Remove the train passed
through a more thickly populated country
and the crowds grew denser. Half-staffed
flags were on every schoolhouse and the
bells Of the churches tolled dolefully as
President Roosevelt lunched i'm the dining
car of the train with Secretary Root At
1:30. The members OF the Cabinet and
other distinguished personages aboard the
train had preceded him To the dinner.
Mrs. Mckinley and her immediate party
remained in the car Olympia. which was
provided with Its own special dininS-car
service.
vt Wnlamsport. which was reached at
30 there was n remarkable dcmonstra-
ton. the feature Of which was the presen-
tation of immense floral Offering by
5.t0 school children of the city. u was re-
ceived by Col T. G. Bingham the Presi-
dents aid lie stood on the platform OF
the observation car. In which tho cata-
falque lay exposed 10 view, and the scene
was profoundly impressive.
At LockhaVen the Young ladies or tho
city lined up along the track and strewed
the path OF the dead President with flow
ers Some had baskets brimming fun OF
color and others held the fragrant blossoms
I'm their arms. They poured the wealth OF
their floral offerings beneath the cruel
wheels. Each small town had conceived
some distinct way OF its own 10 show its
respect for the dead. Others sought to OBJ
tain a souvenir OF the sad occasion IA
unique ways. AT one point beyond Lock-