West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-09-26
WASHINGTON LETTER
Some Interesting Items About the
Funeral Services of Our
Dead President.
Speculation in Regard 10 Rooseyelts
Policy and Probable Cabinet
Changes.
From our regular correspondent.

/ From our regular correspondent.
WAsmScroN, d. c., Sept, goth, 1901. 49,
The body Of President Mckinley has been
borne away 10 his home at Canton. but an
\ atmosphere of funeral solemnity still envelons
the city Even the skies seems reneclinr
the mood Of the people, for every day since
Monday has been wet and windy, with an
autumn chill in the air. The two DAYS of
mourning, Tuesday and Thursday, have
checked and interrupted business. and lille
save what is necessary to daily life has been
done.
| The Informal funeral cortegc winch
passed up Pennsylvania avenue on Monday
night was in IFS way the most impressive
that historic lhoroughfare has ever seen. As
the cesket went 10y on its way TO the White
House, the street was lined with people.
and instead Of turning away and going to
their homes they silently fell into line be-
hind II, and followed IL, unbidden and un-
heralded, to the White House gates. There
was no music, whether by accident or design.
and the long procession moved in absolute
silence. Now and then some one would
begin to sing "'rhe Pre,idents hymn" and
/ those nearest would join in the singing ill
The pathetic melody Of "Ncarcr, my God,
to Thee filled the air
lhere were some unhappy incidents at
he public ceremonies in spite of the efforts
OF the police to reprcss all that was not in
harmony with the occasion. The photograph
hcnd was among those present, and one Of
these gentry had the impudcnce 10 squeeze his
way through the crowd and try To- get a
snap shot Of President Roosevelt lust as The
casket was lifted out Of the hcarse. The
flash Of light startled the horses attached TO
The hearse, aud they reared, aud were only
checked by prompt action on the part Of the
attendants
much more serious incident, however.
was the crush which occurred on the s,ens
Of the Capitol. Somebody was certainly
to blame for this, out just who Il was seems
| impossible TO be ascerlained. At one O'Clock
there was an immense concourse in front ~
the Capitol, covering the steps and the
walks, all the way down to the Peace
Monument and for several blocks beyond
There must have been several thousands in
The thickcst Of the crowd alone. when The
doors were opened some say before tbev
were opened-there was a rush. Il is
claimed that somebody said the way was
clear into The roiuuda, and that that started
the pushing. Then some mounted police.
men lost their heads and spurred their
horses into The mass Of humanity. and
got caugh, iu it, so that the piunpinp.
frightened animals added 20 the peril. II
seems as if police department as well used
% handling large crowds as IS that Of
Washington, ought 90 have known better
ihan 90 allow such an occurrence. in few
minutes nearly hundred persons we're
/ injured, many Of them seriously and the
room beneath that BOZ which the President
lay had TO bc turned into hospital filled
With groaniug, shdekiug patients. Some
Of ihcm bad been Knocked down aud
tampled rpon.
There was, of course, mach work for tie
detectives in catching aud hunting pick
pockets who sfe always ON hand for an
occasion like this Among those Who we've
rohJed was General Ionesireci. who lsst
bis pocket book and mon.y vhHs standing
ON tbe steps Of the Capitol. but did not lct
ihat interfere with Dis attending tbc services.
after which he reported thc loss 10 .he
police.