The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-02

yelt and six members of the Cabinet
and many distinguished officials.
All along the route, for 439 miles,
1.-The stations and the sides of the rail-
road tracks showed crowds who had
come to obtain a fleetins glimpse OF
the flag-draped bier where rested the
body OF President who was loved by
his people.
The train made few stops, but
wherever there was q village or a
hamlet near the line of the railroad
1.-THE people were waiting along the line.
with heads barred, long lines of work
men from mill and factory gravely
|stood and watched the seven cars pass
with their precious freight There
was not a sound, not a movement to
|show that any other sentiment than
deep and reverent regret and sym2a-
thy animated them.
As the train sped along, from the
windows could be seen at Intervals
|country school house. with boys and
'girls grouped before the door straining
their eyes to see the car that carried
1.-THE dead President. In many of the
Villages the school children were mar
|shaled by their teachers and lined up
beside the track. The frequent recur-
renee Of these groups Of little ones
seen from the car windows was one
of the most interesting of the pano-
ramic views which the journey at.
forded.
From farm and hillside men and
women drove miles to reach the line
of iron rail along which the Presi-
dents body was borne. The train for
all the 439 miles passed between liv-
ing hedges Of sorrowing humanity,
and wherever a stop had been sched-
uled the hedge became living wall.
The church bells tolled in every
place, large or small, as the train
rushed on. Wherever there was q
Grand Army veteran or post the faded
blue uniform and copper button were
seen near the railroad track.
In Williamsport, Penn, several hum
dred school girls. were dressed COM
pletely in white, with great black TO-
settes of mourning on their waists.
The little boys Of the same city were
grouped around three draped flags
furled on their STATS.
In the larger towns Of Pennsylvania
companies Of the State National
Guard were drawn up in the railroad
stations, the soldiers standing stifly
at present arms" Bands Of music,
from the village cornet organization
to the more pretentious military band,
stood near many of the stations and
all played only the one air, Nearer,
My God. to Thee" the lines which
the dying President had repeated al
most at the last.
The funeral train ran for miles and
miles over pennies, nickels and silver
coins. This novelty in souvenir hunt
ing was displayed most strongly In
Pennsylvania. The pieces of money
were placed on the rails to be fiat
tened out of shape by the wheels Of
the car which bore McKinley's body,
thus constituting the memento.
Late in the afternoon President
Roosevelt, who had passed an unusu-
ally quiet day, made a little speech
to the Buffalo delegation assembled
in his car. He thanked the Buffalo
mans first in the name Of the Govern
ment for their hospitality and devoted
attention to the stricken President.
Then he thanked them again in the
name of Mrs. Mckinley and the
household. John G. Milburn respond
ed. He said Buffalo simply had done
its duty in the emergency that arose.
There were less than half dozen
stops on the whole trip. and the sched-
uled itinerary was adhered to almost
to the minute all along the line.
Not a drum was heard, not a fun
eral note, as the slim cortege Of cav
airy and pallbearers escorting the
body of President Mckinley marched
silently along Pennsylvania avenue
from the station to the White House
between the crowded lines of grieving
citizens. Just as the funeral process
sion turned into the White House
grounds the immense multitude sang
Nearer, My God. to Thee" the dead
Presidents favorite hymn.
The ceremony was severely military
in character, in recognition of the fact
that the President was the Comman-
Of the Army and Navy.
Nowhere was there show OF civilian
participation.
The guard of honor entered the
White House and formed open ranks
within the inner reception hall. The
sailors and soldiers, who with the
veterans were placed on guard around
the bier likewise formed open ranks
in extension of the line of veterans
and at present arms.
Through these lines the casket was
carried by the soldiers and sailors who
had served as the active pallbearers
from the Milburn residence.
Following the body in solemn process
sion President Roosevelt, members Of
the Cabinet and others of the funeral
party passed, forming in line in the
East Room until the caskct was de-
posted where it was to remain for
the night. All then filed out save the
guard Of honor.
After President Roosevelt and the
Cabinet members retired from the
East Room Mrs. Mckinley, attended
by her sister, descended from her prl-
vate apartments and entered the room.
She stood for two or three moments
at the side Of her dead husbanu and
then was led back through the broad
corridor to her apartments.
At precisely nine O'Clock on Tuesday
the body-bearers in the East Room
raised the coffin to their shoulders, to
l. 4. tt,nH. 1nnnDrp1
at the main door of the White House
the Marine Band. stationed on the
avenue opposite the mansion. struck
ND the fayorite hymn of the dead
President. AS the hearse, drawn by
.iX black horses. with 4 groom at the
head of each, moved away, the MOURN
ers from the White House entered
carriages and followed the body.
The hearse and carriages were driv-
on down TO the cate of the White