Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-26

weeping bitterly, and they SIC oped by doz-
ems to gather the blossoms which lay at
their feet. and carried them away as
memcntocs. The swcct-pca blossoms that
were scattered along the road were the
Offering of the school children of Nash
vile, Tennessee, and TO tribute Of love
that was sent during tho funeral exercises
more amply fulfilled its mission, or more
completely carried its message of affec-
ton Tonight hundreds Of the blossoms
are In the possession of the marchers in
the parade, and are held by spectators
who came into the cemetery after the close
of the parade to carry them away.
After the veterans came in well SGT ranks
with rifles at arms port the men of tile
Sixth Infantry OF National Guard, the en-
gineor corps of the National Guard from
Cleveland, the comrades of tho late Presi-
dent in the ranks of the 23rd Ohio Volun-
teers during the civil var.
Then came n long line of carriages bear
ING the members of the family and the dis
tinguished visitors. From the first car
riage that stopped at the foot Of the walk
leading up to The vault. President Roose-
welt and Commander Cowles of the navy
aliEhted. without waiting for those in the
second carriage which combined sccretar-
les Root and Gage, and Acknowledgement
Knox the President walked slowly to-
ward tho vault and took position on the
south side Of the walk close TO the door
~
assumed similar rosciton on the north
side Of tho walk and tie other members
of the cabinet ranged themselves 10y the
side of the Pres ident and secretary Of war
With barred heads tho President and mem
bcrs of the cabinet who were followed by
the officers of the army and navy stood
on each side of the walk, the lines reach
ine just to the edge of the roadway.
SERVICES AT THE VAULT.
Within a minute after the formation Of
the lines, the funeral car came up to the
walk. 1t was gently lifted from the
hearse, and borne to the door of the vault,
whore it was rested upon the catafalquo
1t was carried by the same men Of the
army and navy who have carried it ever
since 1t left Buffalo Before them, as 1t
came M the walk. walked Col. Bingham
who had been aide to President Mckinley
At its head on tho right walked Lieut..
i1amin. of the army, and in a correspond
ing position on the left Lieut.. Eberle of the
navy. Just as the bearers lowered it to
the catafalque, Abner Mckinley ard Mrs.
Barber alighted from their carriage and
stood at the foot Of tho line OF officers
They remained here for a few seconds
and then passed up to the foot of the cas-
.ket. whore they remained during the brief
services.
There was a moments pause as Col
Bingham looked to see that all was in
readiness Ffe then looked toward Bishop
Joyce of Minneapolis, who read the burial
service of the Methodist church, slowly but
in voice that could he heard distinctly
by all who were grouped around the vault.
AS his words ended there was a brief
pause. for 1t had been understood that a
quartctte of the Knights Templlr was to
he present to render a hymn. Through Il
misunderstanding however, it had not ar
rived and after satisfying himself Of this
fact. Col. bingham waved his hand to
eight buglers Of the Canton band, who had
taken station upon the side Of the mound
above, and to the south Of the vault. In
stantly from the eight bugles rang out the
notes Of the soldiers last call--"Taps' 1t
was beautifully done and the last not $
of the buglers died away o softly that all
who heard It remained listening for n few
seconds to hear il 1t was really ended.
When the last note had Aoated away, Sec
rotary Wilson was in tears Secretary
Hitchcock was also weeping and the
President was gazing grimly at the walk.
II was the Inst moment for the men WI o
had been so closely associated with the
President for so long, and the thought
seemed greater than most OF them could
bear