St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-09-18
SIMPLE FORM
Of Services Over Mar.
tyred President
Nothing but Hymn, Song and
Prayer Offered
Thousands Upon Thousands Viewed
Body Lying In State

Buffalo. Sept. 16.-Buffalo yesterday
became a city Of mourners. The gay
and flaming decorations of the Pan
American exposition gave way to the
symbol of sorrow. The black drapery
of the city's streets muft1ed the toll
ing bells of the churches. Bits of
crepe appeared on every sleeve. The
sorrow was apparent everywhere.
In the morning a simple service took
place at the residence on Delaware
avenue where the martyred president
died. A hymn was sung and prayer
was offered over the dead body. That
was ALL Only the immediate family
and the friends and political associates
of the late president were present. The
scene there was pathetic in the eX-
IRENE. Then the body was borne out
TO the waiting cortege on the shoulders
of eight sailors and soldiers. The cor
tege passed through solid walls Of hui
mainly, baeheaded and griet-stricken,
to the city hall, where the body lay in
state.
The day was gray and cherries.
Heavy clouds hung over the city, at
times breaking to let through a rift of
sunshine. and then it threatened to let
loose downpour on the gathering null
ttude. The air was humid and heavy,
and only light wind from the south
stirred the dropping flags and the em-
blems of mourning. The very elements
seemed to Nnd fitting accompaniment
TO the scene of sorrow about to be en-
acted. Long before the time set for the
funeral services, the vicinity of the
Milburn house was astir with prepare
tons.
Major General John E. 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.
The two gold stars at the collar marked
his high military rank. Around his left
arm was wound heavy band of crepe.
With him were his aides and a half
score of other officers, all in fatigue uni
form. with the badge of mourning on
their sleeves.
Outside the House
The time was now approaching for
the service. The tramp of the assem-
bling military could be heard and the
walks leading up to the Milburn house
began to be lined with those who wert
to assemble about the bier. Even annie
the stir of assembling a solemn silence
prevailed. and the division of the escor
came to their posts with silent bands
At 1890 o'clock the military and nava
detachments took temporary stations
Immediately around the corner from tn
Nilburn house.
Meantime the members Of the cal
met officials high in the goVernmel
service and near friends of the martyre
president, began to fill the walks Leaf
ing up to the entrance of the Milbul
residence. They came separately al
In groups some walking, while tho
in carriages were admitted within Il
roped enclosure up to the curb
1t was Just eight minutes before Il
opening of the service when a cover
barouche drove up to the house, brln
ing President Roosevelt and Mr.. al
Mrs. Wilcox, at whose home he is
guest. The president looked very gra
as he aligbted. His face did not rel
into a smile to the salutations of the
nearest the carriage, but he acknOV
edged the greetings silently and wi
an inclination of the head. We
passed up the well-filled walk that
president had arrived, and those wa
ing to gain entrance fell back, mi
ing a narrow lane through which
Roosevelt passed to the house.
AS the president passed within
house and the services were about
begin, the long line of sailors and s
diers swung into column of tours II
Delaware avenue, and formed in /
TALON front along the thOrOughfa
They stood at parade rest, with col
lowered, each flag wound about
staff with band of crepe.
In the House of Death
Within the house of death was '
unspeakable. In the drawing room
the right Of the hall as President Ro,
welt entered, the dead chieftain '
stretched upon his bier. On the NJ
face was written the story of
Christian forebearance with which
had met his martyrdom. A look
calm and peaceful resignation was
the marble-like features. Only
thinness of the face fore mute t
mony to the patient suffering he had
lured. He was dressed as he alw
did in life The black frock coat
buttoncd across the breast where
first bullet Of the assassin had str,
The black string tie below the stanC
collar showed the little triangle Of W
shirt front. The right hand la!
his side. The left was across his b.
He looked as millions of his cour
men have seen him, save for one tb
The little badge Of the Loyal Leg
the only decoration he ever wore,
which was always in the left lapt