The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-16
was next to arrive.
AN IMPRESSIVE MOMENT.


AN IMPRESSIVE MOMENT.
Exactly at the appointed hour, 7:45,
the escort was in perfect readiness In
clarion tones Major Mann, command
ing the escort, delivered the order
Present arms" NoiseIessly and with
the precision of the well drilled soldier
the arms leaped to position; the COM
manding officer turned about, and,
facing the house of the dead, brought
his sword to present" It was an i'm
pressive moment. The rigid soldiers
and sailors were awaiting the body of
their late commander-in-ch A min
ute of awe-inspiring silence, and then
emerging from the doors of the city
hall there moved the eight body bear
ers, four soldiers and four sailors.
On their shoulders rested the casket
enclosing the body of the country's be-
loved one
Away down the line of soldiery from
the Sixty fifth regiment band came
once again the strains Of Nearer My
God to Thee" Behind the long ropes
the throng uncovered, and with bowed
heads, waited and watched in silence.
Tenderly the precious burden was borne
slowly down the stone steps along the
curved approach, to the hearse. The
flag draped caslcet was lifted gently in
to the hearse and the doors closed.
Through the windows of the hearse
naught but Americas flag, surmounted
by a single sheaf of white could be
seen. To the front came the troops,
wheeling into line and moving down
Franklin street. Once more the strains
Of music, this time 1t was mournful
dirge of Chopin's funeral march, accom-
panied by the tolling of the church bells.
Behind the troops came the carriages of
the members of the cabinet. Then came
the hearse and following were comrades
of the Grand Army, with a company of
military bringing up the rear.
PROCESSION TO THE TRAIN.
The cortege passed churches, and
winding past st. Paul churches into
Main street the dead president was car
ried through Buffalo streets. Down
Main street. the procession moved be-
tween masses Of people all uncovered.
The high winds from off Lake Erie
snapped and whipped the bunting and
crepe with which every building was
draped. Above tire fJTT1i1ii11 American
flags and black streamers hung at hair
mast. The line had begun its march at
1850 O'Clock. Half an hour later with
measured step and to constantly play
ing bands the line entered Exchange
street where the railway station is To-
Gated Then the Buffalo journey was at
an end. AS the cortege passed Ellicott
street it was met by the carriage bear
ing the president of the United States,
Theodore Roosevelt. By the presidents
order his carriage was stopped and with
barred head the nations new executive
awaited the passing OF his predecessor
funeral cortege.
Once more the troops were drawn up
in line and came to present"
The hearse stopped in front of the
baggage entrances to the depot As the
undertaken took hold of the door of the
hearse to open it and the body bearers
prepared to draw the coffin out hush
fell on the multitude. Then from the
head of the column came the mournful
sound of the long roll" AS it ceased
there arose clear and sweet the notes
of the beautiful hymn, Nearer my God
RI q
covered caSket on their shoulders and
moved toward the train as the band
took up the air Of the grand old hymn.
20, God, our help in ages past. On
the curb stood President Roosevelt with
Senator Hawley. The former had re
fused the advice of the police to move
into the depot yard and with his hat
in hand he stood silently watching the
body being removed. General Brooks
and his staff fell in directly behind the
casket; then came the president, Secre-
tary Cortelyou and Senator Hawley and
then, walking with his cane for assist
ance, followed Senator Hanna, accom-
panied by his SON
MRS. MCKINLEY BREAKS DOWN.
Mrs. Mckinley and the other mem
berS OF the family had entered their
car half an hour before the body ar
rived. The journey down in the car
riage, from the windows of which she
could see the emb1ens of mourning, af-
fected Mrs. Mckinley seriously and
when she stepped from the carriage, as
sisted by DR.. Rixey and Abner McKin-
lev. her limbs failed her and she would
have fallen but for the support accord
ed her. She entered the station and
was assisted into the car in which she
and the dead president had made the
trip into the city of his death. On the
car her relatives took charge of her and
DR.. Rixey gave her a tonic DIR. RIxey
thinks that she will be able to go
through with the state ceremonial at
Washington. but the change of arrange
ments SO that the body shall leave !
Washington Tuesday night was made |
so as to avoid too great a strain.
"She will be better in Canton than |
any place else" said DR.. Rixey.
MRS. MKINLEY LIES DOWN.
Port Allegheny. Pa, Sept. 1s.-Mrs. |
Mckinley was prevailed upon TO lie /
10wn soon after the start was made. |
President Roosevelt was quartered in a I
drawing room in the car Hungary with /
Secretary Loeb. He busted himself with I
etters and kilograms and with the in
1umsra Bile questions which required 1
immediate answer.
The members of the cabinet individ- /
lally cared for the more pressing busi-
ness requiring their attention
TRAIN CREWS CHANGED
Remove Pa. Sept. 16.-After leaving
0lean, the train descended into the val
ey OF the Susquehanna-