Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-09-19

MrS. mckinley Bore Orde2t Sraveiy.
The family had taken leave of their
loved one before the others arrived
Mrs. Mckinley, the poor grief crushed
widow, had been led Into the chamber
by her physician, DR.. Rixoy, and had
sat awhile alone 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 gaZed
upon him and fondled his face She
did 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 couli
hear the service. Mrs. Hobart, the
widow of the vice president during
Mr.. McKiuley's first term Mrs. Lafay-
cite McWilliams, of Chicago, Miss
Barber. Miss Mary Barber and DR..
Rixey remained with her there
Senator Hanna, who had fairly wor-
shipped his dead friend for years, en-
tered the room at this time but did
not approach the casket His face
was set like an iron willed man who
would not let down the barriers of
his grief. The senator spoke TO no
one. His eyes We're vacant He passed
through the throng and seated himself
behind Governor Odell sinking far
down into his chair and resting his
head upon his hand. During all the
service that followed he did not stir
Just before II President Roosevelt
,,,&-
the rear through the library. After
passing into the hall he had made his
way around through the sitting room
behind into the library. There was an
instantaneous movement in the room
as the President appeared.
Every one rose and all eyes were
turned toward the President He
moved forward again with the tide of
the procession to his place at the head
of the line of cabinet officers. He held
himself erect, his left hand carrying
his silk hat Those who were coming
toward him fell back on either side
to let him pass. He paused once or
twice TO shake hanas silen,4y. but
there was no smile to accompany his
greetings. He, too, like the man deep
down in his seat against the wall,
who had forgotten to rise when the
President of the United States entered,
seemed to be restraining q great grief.
When President Roosevelt reached the
head of the line of cabinet officers he
kept his face away from the casket.
The infantryman guarding the dead
stood before him rigid as a statue. Al
though the commanderin-chief 'ap-
preached until he could have touched
him, the soldier did not salute.
Roosevelt Looks Upon the Dead Face.
The President appeared 10 be steel
ing himself for a look into the face
OF him whose death had made him
the first ruler Of the world. The ten
sion in the room was great Every
one seemed to be waiting. The minis
ter of the gospel stood with the Holy
Book in his hand ready to begin. Per-
haps it might have been 90 seconds.
1t seemed longer Then the Presi
dent turned and at the same time ad-
vanced a step. He bowed his head
and looked upon the man whose bur
den and responsibility he had taken
up. Long he gaZed, standing immova-
BILE save for a twitching OF the muscles
of the chin as he iaborei with heavy
breath to rapress his emotion At last
he stepped back.
Charles Edward Locke, OF the Della
ware Avenue NJ. e. Church. con
Quoted the services. Out from the hall
there welled the beautiful words of
Lead, Kindly Light, sung by quar-
tette 1t was President MCkinleys
favorite hymn. Every one within the
sound of the music knew it and half
OF those in the room put their faces
into their hands to hide thair tears.
Comptroller Dawes leaned against
bookcase and wept. President Roose-
welt seemed to be swaying to and fro
as if his footing were insecure.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the word OF the 18th
chapter of Corinthians |. Again the
voices rose with the words OF Nearer,
My God, to Thee" the very words
President Mckinley hai repeated at
intervals of consciousness during the
day Of agony before he died. As the
pNt9h'-
again. Let us pray" he sail, and
every head fell upon its breast
All present joined in the Lords
Prayer as the minister repeated it,
President Roosevelt's voice being audi
BILE at the back of the room. The serv-
ices concluded with simpic bonedic-
tion. The funeral director was about
to step forward to place the cover on
the casket. when suddenly there was a
movement behind Cove nor Odell. Sen
ator Hanna. who had risen, saw that
the last opportunity to look into the
countenance of his dead friend had
come. Pressing forward, in an instant
he was at the side OF the caske1 and
bending over and looking down into it.
Almost two minutes passed, and then
he turned away and the coffin was
closed
Death MASK of MeKinicy's Face.
Milburn House, Buffalo, Sept. IA