Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-16
THE SOLEMN SERVICES
At BUFFALO YESTERDAY.
Continued From First Page.

were on the boz, the driver with Ions
lines to the tandem pairs. and the
groom with folded arms sitting motion
Tess. The hearse halted at the corner
to await the conclusion Of the services.
Outside of the house there was a
half hour of
silence and Waiting.
Within the house of death was woe
unspeakable. In the drawing room to
the right of the hall as President
Roosevelt entered, the dead chieftain
was stretched upon his bier. His head
was to TIE rising sun. On his face
was written the story OF the Christian
forbearance with which he had met
his martyrdom. Only the thinness OF
his face bore mute testimony To the
agony he had endured. He was dress
cd as he Always was in life. The black
frock was buttened across the breast
where the nrst bullet of the assas-iri
had struck. The black string tie be-
low the standing collar showed the lit
tie triangle Of white shirt front. The
right hand lay at his side. The LEFT
was across his body. He looked as
millions OF his countrynen have seen
him save for one thing. The little
badge of the Loyal Legion, the only
decoration he ever wore, switch was al
ways in the left lapel of his coat was
missing. And those who remarked 1t,
smoke of it, and after the body was TAX
en- to the city hall, the little badge
which he priced through life was
piaeed again where it had always been,
The body lay in a black casket on
a black skin rug. Over the lower
limbs was flung
The Starry Banner
T.. had loved so we'll The flowers were
few. as beftted the simple nature OF the
man. A spray of white chrysanthe-
NUNS, a flaming bunch of blood red
American Beauty roses and a masnifi-
cent bunch of violets were on the cas-
ket. That was all Behind the head
against a pier mirror between two cur
tanned windows, rested two superb
wreaths Of white asters and roses.
These were the only flowers in the
room.
Two sentries, one from the sea and
one from the land, guarded the rooms.
They stood in the window emnrasures
behind the head of the casket. The
one to the north was a sergeant of in
fantry. In the other window was the
sailor CARRIED in the loose blue blouse
Of the navy.
The family had taken leave of their
loved one before the others arrived.
Mrs Mckinley, the poor grfef-erushed
widow, had been led into the chamber
by her physician, pr. Rixey, and had
sat awhile along with him. who had
supported and comforted her through
all their years of welded life. But
though her support was gone, she had
not broken down. Dry-eyed she sazed
upon him and fondled his face. She
cid not seem to
Realize That He Was Dead.
Then she was led away by Dr. RiXey,
and took up her position at the head of
the stairs, where she could hear the
service. Mrs. Hobart, the widow of the
vice President during Mr.. McKinleys
first term Mrs. Lafayette McWAiiafns,
Of Chicago; Miss Barber, Miss Mary
Barber, and DR.. Rixey remained with
her throughout. The other members
OF the family Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Nc
Kinney, Miss Helen Mckinley, Mrs.
Duncan, Miss Duncan, Mr.. and Mrs.
Barber, and Dr. and Mrs. Baer had
Withdrawn into the library to the north
Of the drawing room, In which the
casket lay, and here also gathered
other friends when the service was
held. The public and friends of the
dead President all had opportunity 10
view the remains before the service be-
gan. The members of the cabinet had
taken their leave before the others ar
rived. They remained seated beside
their dead chief while the sad pro-
cession viewed the body. they were
on the north side of it. A place direct
ly at the head had been reserved for
President Roosevelt. Secretary Root
sat alongside this empty chair. Then
came Attorney General Knox, Secretary
Long, Secretary Hitchcock, Secretary
Wilson and Postmaster General Smith,
in the order named About a hundred
in all saw the body. Some we're over
come with grief at the sight of the
placid countenance, and their frames
Shook in Convuisiye sobs.
Several clung TO the side of the bier
and with difficulty could be persuaded
to leave. Almost every face was tear
stained. The great love for this man
choked all in the house.
Among those in the procession were
Senators Fairbanks and Burrows
Governor Yates, of Illinois; Comp
troller Dawes; General Henderson and