The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-20

beautiful band of wide purple satin
ribbon.
The Stricken Widow.
Mrs. McKinley's condition is exciting
grave apprehension among those caring
for her, and 1T is feared that the dread
ed collapse may come at any moment.
Since she has returned to the old home
the full realization of the awful calam-
ity has come upon her. Last evening
after the body had been brought from
the Court House and deposited in the
little front room formerly used as the
Presidents library, she pleaded to be
allowed to enter the room and sit be-
side the casket. Consent was reluc-
family granted and for half an hour the
stricken widow sat in the dim light be-
side the flower -draped bier. Then she
was led away to her room and has not
left it since. Through this morning she
wept piteously hour after hour. Owing
to her condition she was able to take
no part in any of the ceremonies to-day,
neither the church nor coming into the
borne away for the last time. From
this time on she viii be guarded with
the most solicitous care and quiet, for
it is only in this way that a collapse
can be averted.
Casket Not Opened.
The face of the President was seen
for the last time when it lay in state
In he
casket was not opened after it was
removed to the Mckinley residence,
and the members of the family had no
opportunity to look upon the silent
features again. The casket was sealed
before it was borne away from the
Court House. When Mrs. Mckinley
came into the death chamber last night
for her last moments beside her dead
husband, she wished to have a final
look at the upturned face. But this
was impossible and the sealed caSket.
with its flowers and flags was all that
she saw.
Magnificent Floral Display.
The collection of flowers was prob
ably the most beautiful ever seen in
the United States. The Conservatives
of the country had been denuded TO
supply them. From the four quarters
of the earth came directions to adorn
the bier of Mckinley with flowers,
whose fragrance might be symbolical
of the sweetness and purity of the
ended life. But these tributes from
foreign countries were buried beneath
the floral tributes of McKinleys coun-
trymen. There were tons and tons Of
them, and a list of those who sent
them would be almost a complete ros-
ter of those prominent in the official
commercial and social life of the Unit
ed States.
The Last journey.
As the time approached for bearing
the body of the dead President from
the Mckinley home to the church, the
little cottage on North Market street
was the center of a vast concourse of
people. Regiment after regiment of
soldiers, acting as guards, were in
triple lines from curbs back to the
lawns. The walks had been cleared
and the multitude took refuge in the
great sweep of lawns where they form
ed a solid mass of humanity, surg
ing forward to the lines of soldiers
In front of the Mckinley cottage were
drawn up the two rigid files of body
bearers, eight soldiers of the navy and
eight soldiers of the army, awaiting the
order to go within and take up the
casket.
Just at 1 o'clock the black chargers
of the Cleveland troop swept down the
street, their riders four abreast, in
their brilliant hussar uniform, with
flags bound in crepe and every sabre
hilt bearing its 1uttering emblem of
mourning Their coming was the sig
nal for the approach of President
Roosevelt and the members of the cab
met. The presidential party moved up
the walk to the entrance of the house
and formed in a group to the left. The
Presidents face looked very grave and
he stood there silently with uncovered
head awaiting the body of the dead
chieftain. Beside him stood Secretary
Gage, Secretary Root Secretary Will
son and Secretary Hitchcock and just
across, Attorney General Knox, Post
master General Smith, Assistant Secrc-
tary Hill. representing Secretary Hay,
and Secretary Cortelyou. Extending
further down the walk was the guard
of honor, the ranking generals of the
| army on the right and the chief figures
of the navy on the left. Lieut.. Gen.
Miles. in the full uniform of his high
rank. with his sword at his side and
! band Of crepe about his arm, stood
alongside the members of the cabinet
| and with him were Maj Gen. Brooke.
Mai Gen. Otis. Gen. Macarthur ana
BRIG. Gen. Gillespie. Across from them
was ranged Rear Admiral Farquhar,
representing Admiral Dewey, ranking
head of the navy; Rear Admiral
/, Crowninsnield, Rear Admiral O'Neil.
Rear Admiral Kenney and Brig. Gen.
| Heywood the latter communicating
chief OF the Marine Corps