Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1901-09-20

Buffalo, Sept 16-Buffalo Sunday
became city of mourning. The dec
orations of the Pan-American exposi-
ton gave way to the symbol of sor.
row. The black drapery of the city's
streets muffled the tolling bells of
the churches. Bits of Grape appeared
on every sleeve. Sorrow was every.
where apparent. In the morning a
simple service took place at the resi-
dence on Delaware avenue, where the
president died. Only the immediate
family and the friends and political
associates of the president were pres
ent. The scene there was pathetic in
the extreme. Then the body was
borne through solid walls of living
humanity, bareheaded and grief strick
en-, to the city hall, where it lay in
state.
There a remarkable demonstration
occurred which proved how close the
president was to the hearts of the peo-
pie. Arrangements had been wade
to allow the public to view the body
from the time it arrived at about 1870
O'Clock until about 5 o'clock. But the
people were wedged into the streets
for blocks. When o'clock came 49,.
900 people had passed and the crowd
waiting below in the streets seemed
undiminished. 1t was decided to ex-
tend the time until midnight. Then
for hours longer the streets were
dense with people and a constant
stream flowed past the bier.
When the doors were closed at mid
night it was estimated that so 900 peo-
pie had viewed the remains. Thou
sands of disappointed ones were still
in the streets. The body will lie in
the city hall until morning. It will
be taken to the station by a military
escort tomorrow morning and at $3.50
the funeral train will start for Wash
ington. Mrs. Mckinley bore up brave
ly today during the service at the Mil
burn residence and DR.. Rixey, her
physician, thinks she will be able to
support her trying part in the state
funeral at washington.
The day was gray and cherries.
Heavy clouds hung over the city, at
times breaking to let through rift of
sunshine and then threatening to let
loose downpour upon the gathering
multitude.
Major General John R. Brooke. who
was personally in command of all the
forces participating in the escort. ar
rived at 10 O'clock He was in fatigue
uniform, with service sword at his
side. Around his left arm was wound
heavy band of crepe. With him
were his aides and half score of
other officers, all in fatigue uniform,
with badge of mourning on their
sleeves.
Meantime the members of the cabi
net, officials high in the government
service and near friends of the mar.
tyred president began to fill the walks
leading up to the entrance to the Mil
burn residence. They came separate
ly and in groups, some walking.
The Hearse Came.
The services had already begun
when down the avenue four high step
ping black horses came into sight.
drawing the hearse which was to bear
the casket of the dead president. 1t
was a heavy vehicle, without plumes
or any trappings to relieve the dead
black. The horses. too. were not
plumed or caparisoned, but all four
OF them were black from nose to tin
OF tail. Two men were on the box.
the driver, with long lines to the tan.
dem pairs, and the groom with folded
arms, sitting motionless. Outside the
house all was silence and waiting.
Within the house of death was woe
In the drawing room to the right of |
the hall as President Roosevelt en-. |
tered the dead chieftain was stretched
upon his bier. His head was to the |
rising sun. On his face was written |
the story of the Christian forbearance |
with which he had met his martyr |
dom. Only the thinness of his face |
bore mute testimony to the patient !
sufferings he had endured. He was |
dressed as he always was in life.
The flowers were few, as befitted the |
simple nature of the man.
The family had taken leave of their |
loved one before the others arrived. |
Mrs. Mckinley, the grief crushed |
widow, had been led into the chamber
BY her physician, DR.. Rixey, and had
sat awhile alone with him who had
and comforted her through
Ill their years of welded life. But
.hough her support was gone. she had
lot broken down. Dry-eyed she gazed
"a AAo AoSO' oAO ulu AOI SEEM 10 re-
llize that he was dead. Then she was
ed away by DIR. Rixey and took up
Ter position at the head of the stairs,
where she could hear the services
Mrs. Hobart, the widow of the vice
PRESIDENT during Mr.. McKinley's first
ERIN, Mr.. Lafayette McWilliams of
Chicago, Miss Barber, Miss Mary Bar
,er and DR.. Rixey remained with her.
rhe other members Of the family. Mr. II
md Mrs. Abner Mckinley, Miss Helen
Mckinley. Mrs. Duncan, Miss Duncan,
dr. and Mrs. Barber and DR.. and Mrs.
saer, had withdrawn to the library, to
he north of the drawing room, in
which the casket lay, and here also
emained other friends when the SER
ice was held.
The friends and public associates of
he dead president all had opportunity