The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-09-18

Senator Harna. 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-willcd man who would not
let down the barriers of his grief. The
senator spoke to no one. His eyes were
vacant He passed through the throug
and seated himself behind Governor
Odell, sinking far down into his chair
and resting his head upon his hand. Dur
ing all the service that followed he did
not stir.
Roosevelt Gazes Long on DeAd Face.
When President Roosevelt reached the
head Of the line of the cabinet officers
he kept his face away from the casket.
He appeared to be steeling himself for
a look into the face of him whose death
lad made him the first ruler Of a
world. Perhaps it might have been 90
seconds. 1t seemed longer. Then the
president turned and at the same time
advanced a step.
He bowed his head and looked down
into the prison house Of the man whose
burden and responsibility he had taken
up. Long he gazed, standing immOva-
Bile. save for a twitching of the muscles
Of the chin as he labored with heavy
breath to repress his emotion. At last he
stepped back.
Rev. Charles Edward Locke was at
the door leading into the hall, station
whence his words could be heard at the
head of the stairs. The signal was given
and there welled out from the hall the
beautiful words Of Lead, Kindly Light"
sung by quartette. 1t was President
McKinleys favorite hymn. Everyone
within sound of the music knew it and
as the voices swelled through the house
grief-numbed hearts began to break.
Half Of those in the room put their faces
in their hands to hide their scalding tears.
President Roosevelt seemed to be sway
ing to and fro as if his footing was inse-
cure.
The minister read chapter from the
gospel to the Corinthians and the quar-
tet broke into the strains Of the hymn,
Nearer, Ny God. to Thee" The effect
was pathetic, solemn and inspiring.
Then followed u most eloquent prayer
by the Rev. Mr. Locke. All present
Joined in the Lords prayer as the minis
ter repeated it, President Roosevelt's
voice being audible at the back of the
room. The service concluded with sim
pie bcnediction.
Hanna's Grief Unrestrained,
Those in the room stepped back. The
funeral director was about to step for
ward to place the cover on the casket
when suddenly there was a movement be-
hind Governor Odell. Senator Hanna.
who had risen, saw that the last oppor-
tunity to look into the countenance Of
his dead friend had come. He could re-
strain himself no longer. Pressing for
ward in an instant he was at the side of
the caskct bending over and looking down
into II with all his eyes, q minute, almost
two minutes passed while he ga2ed
steadily into the window of the coffin.
There were no sObs His grief was
deeper than that. He simply looked and
looked and drank in the features of the
dead. 1t was pathetic in the extreme.
Then he turned away. The coffin was
closed.
Colonel Bingham signalled the body
bearers. -Four jack tars Of the navy,
two infantry cergeants and two artillery
sergcants bore the casket aloft and out
of the house. The president, cabinet and
the others followed it. Mrs. Mckinley
and the members Of the family remained.
The widow had passed through the or
deal bravelv and without breaking down.
Three long rolls of a mulrlcd drum told
those outside the house that the funeral
cortege was about to appear. From the
darkened rooms the sorrowing assem-
blage began to file ont to the street.
When the dark outlines of the casket
itself appeared "Nearer, My God, to
Thee asccndpd in suhducd strains from
one Of the military band. 1t was a
strangely majestic spectacle.
The solemn music Of Chopin's funeral
dirge succeeded the sweet strains Of the
hymn. The soldiers and sailors swung
into long columns and took up the march
southwark toward the city hall.
Description Of the Cnsket.
The casket for the presidents body
was ordered by Senator Hanna. The
frame Of the casket is of red cedar, COW
cred with black cloth. In it is copper
box on which the white satin lining is
placed. The handles of the casket are
in ebony finish, there being no white
visible on the outside of the casEet. The
cover of the copper box is Of highly pol
ished copper in which is set plate glass,
full length. 4 rim of rubber is between
the copper box and the cover so that
when the cover is screwed on the box is
alright The cover of the casket, which
fits on over the copper cover, is of red
cedar, covered with black cloth, there
tha