Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-20
ON A TRAIN
Impressive and Unusual Scene
on the Northwestern's
Colorado Special.
Episcopal clersymen on Board
Conduct Services During
Time Of Burial.
A Train Halted in Center Of a
Bridge at Moment Desis-
mated in Orders.

What in all probability occurred LOT
the first time in the history OF the
United States, and also what was prob
ably the only service of its kind in the
country that day, took place Thursday
on the Chicago s. Northwestern Colo
RADIO special when the five-minute stop.
between 2:30 and 2:s5, was made in
honor of the dead president, in accord
ance with the general order that was in
effect on the entire Northwestern sys-
TEN.
AS 1t happened Thursday the Colo
RADIO special carried out of Chicago car
load of Episcopalean ministers, all from
Kentucky, and headed by Right Rev.
Lewis William Burton. bishop of the
diocese OF Lexington, who were en- route
to San Francisco to attend the general
convention of the Episcopal church.
Conductor w. W. Fenlon was in
charge of the train out Of Clinton and,
figuring on the time when the stop
would be made, invited Bishop Burton
to conduct services on the train during
the pause Bishop Burton was glad to
be accorded the privilege and assigned
one minister OF his delegation to each
coach and, during the five minutes
when the immense train was stopped
between Dewitt and Grand Mound, the
most impressive services imaginable
were conducted with the greatest of
reverence. Appropriate passages of
scripture were read, prayers were Of
sfered and Nearer, My God, to Thee,
was sung in each of the coaches at the
time when the body OF the lamented
Mckinley was being lowered into its
final resting place at Canton. In this
manner every one of the hundred or
two passengers on the overland limited
train took part. in spirit at least. In
the burial OF the martyred president.
Conductor Fenlon and the members OF
the train crew assisted in furthering the
service and announced 1t to the passen-
gers before the stop was made. The
passengers, to an individual, greatly ap-
preciated the privilege to bow their
heads in divine worship on SO solemn
an occasion. All mirth and hilarity OF
passengers were laid aside for the time
and in every car tears were shed, so
solemn and impressive was the occa-
sion. Bishop Burton took an active
part in the exercises himself, being in
charge of the meeting in one of the
coaches.
1t is likely, without a doubt, that this
was the only train in the country where
religious services were held turnout the
entire train in honor of the dead presi-
dent.
The unusual precedent of stopping all
passenger trains on the Northwestern
yesterday between 2:30 and 2:35. in hons
or OF the time when the remains Of Nc
Kinley were committed to the grave.
produced affecting scenes on many Of
the trains, as reported by .trainmen. On
No. 10, the local train west, due here at
1855, there was hardly a dry eye in the
cars when the train came to silent
stop on the Cedar river bridge, just out
Of Cedar Rapids. Contrary to all rail-
road ethics, stopping in the middle OF a
bridge, there was no flagman put out to
avoid collision and no precautiOn
taken for possibilities of accidents as
would be the case at all other times. The
engines all came to stops without the
ringing Of bells and II there was ever a
solemn five minutes in the history of
the country Conductor Perry says 1t was
those five minutes spent on his train,
standing in the middle of bridge, with
the silent waters below seeming to indi-
cate the steady flow OF the tide Of life.