The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-17

hundreds of windows. over all cleaned
coldly scores of electric lights, defining
sharply each detail of the solemn scene.
Banked on both sides of the avenue. from
Sixth street to the executive mansion, were
tens of thousands of people. They were
come 10 pay their tribute of respect and
love to the memory of their President.
With barred heads and with no murmur Of
sound the people watched with tear-stained
eyes the last Homecoming of President Nc
Kinley. There was no music. Amid the
hush of the great crowds only the clatter
of the horses hoofs ringing sharply upon
the pavement. was heard. platoon of
mounted police. in command of Sergeant
Matthews, led the way. Next came a del
egation of G. A. r. men from the Depart
ment of the Potomac, members of the
Union Veteran Legion and the Spanish war
veterans, and Troops 1 and l. of the Elev-
enth Cavalry, from Fort Myer, Va. Fol-
lowing the cavalrymen was the hearse,
f1anked on either side by the body bearers,
with a detachment of Signal Corps men
bringing up the rear. The carriages con-
tanning the distinguished officials were next
in line. that of President Roosevelt being
Immediately behind the Signal Corps. Scat
tered along at different parts of the pro-
cession were groups Of army and navy Of
ficers. who had informally received the
body at the railroad station. 1t was about
$50 o'clock when the head of the process
sion reached the White House grounds and
turned into the driveway.
MRS. MKINLEY ENTERS.
The carriage containing Mrs. Mckinley,
Dr. Rixey and Mr.. Abner Mckinley had
preceded the funeral cortege to the White
House by some little time. Dr. Rixey was
the first to alight, and then Mr.. Abner Nc
Kinley. They tenderly assisted Mrs. Nc
Kinley to the stairs. With her right arm
resting heavily and wearily upon the shoul-
der Of her dead husbands brother, and sup
ported on the other Side by DR.. Rixey, she
walked slowly along the stone tagging into
the house. She was closely yelled, but her
feeble steps told the story of her great
suffering. She was assisted at once to the
elevator and TO her old room, and soon
retired DR.. Rixey and Mr.. Cortelyou later
said that she had stood the journey very
well, indeed, and they confidently expected
she would complete the sad journey to her
old home without difficulty.
Among those who know her best and who
were with her at Buffalo il is doubted
whether she yet fully realizes the calamity
that has befallen her, and it is with some
apprehension that they look forward to the
first days alone in Canton. THE Major"
as she always lovingly called her husband.
is still with her, but when she finds herself
really alone the awakening may try her
strength even beyond the point yet reached.
The result cannot be foretold.
When the sad cortege arrived at the
White House the hearse stopped under the
porte cochere. The bodybearers took the
coffin upon their broad shoulders and, pass
ing up the three or four steps. waited until
President Roosevelt and the members OF
the Cabinet had alighted from their car
riages and then followed them through the
wide-open doors into the East room. Just
in the center of the room. under the great
crystal chandelier they deposited their
precious burden upon a black draped base
and stood at salute while the new chief
executive and the Cabinet members with
bowed heads. passed by. Following them
came the chief officers of the army and
navy now in the city the guard of honor,
consisting Of officers OF the Logan Legion.
members of the Union Veterans Legion and
the Grand Army of the Republic Pres
ident Roosevelt. accompanied by the MEM
bers OF the Cabient, left the house almost
Immediately and were driven 10 their
homes
The casket had been placed lengthwise OF
the East room. the head to the north Piled
about il were "A half-hundred floral en-
blems OF exceptional beauty and as many
------ -'--a placed in the inside aorridnr nm