Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-09-23

the grounds a woman's voice was
heard, quivering at first, then strong
er, Nearer, My God, to Thee. One by
one, timidly at the beginning, then
stronger, the multitude took it up
First softly, then swelling out grand
ly, the dead presidents favOrite hymn
swept in an irresistible flood OF
melody. In the distance the splendid
Marine band was heard playing the
presidents favorite hymn, too.
Slowly the hearse followed and
wound along the driveway to the
capitol entrance A moment later the
soldiers and sailors were lifting tn 2
casket from the funeral car; in an
other it was going slowly up the
steps-the last stage of the journey
Of the martyred chief to the spot ne
loved so well.
The perfume of flowers, sweet
odors of rose, jasmine, of carnations,
of lilies of the valley. were waited 20
the dome of the rotunda. Slowly
since O'Clock, those specially invited
to attend the religious services had
been coming in. There were seats
for 800-more than half were taken
before 10 o'clock.
At 1915 a few members Of the SEN
ate appeared in single file, among them
Allison, Cullom, Dolliver, Clapp and
McCumber. Fifteen minutes later
the house of Representatives sent it's
members into the rotunda. 1t was
10:40 when the mournful strains Of
Nearer, My God, to Thee were heard.
The assemblage in the rotunda arose
with common impulse. A hush
settled upon them.
From the entrance leading to the
senate side came members of the cabi
net, Secretaries Gage, Root and Hay
and Attorney General Knox. From
the east door issued men in gorgeous
uniforms, the guard of honor of the
dead president Silently they faced
about, forming an immovable column
from entrance to catafalque, throug1
which the presidents body was borne
in flag-draped coffin. ON the Shout
ders of the sturdy sons of the army
and navy. Their precious burden was
lowered into place and again the
solmen echo and the roll of the drums
was heard and boom of cannon. Be-
hind the coffin came the mourners, one
by one, and the sadness grew even
more intense as the absence of Mrs.
Mckinley was noted.
o1, o. To,p 4,
taken by Abner, the dead president
brother. Many moist eyes followed
the pathetic figure Of Senator Hanna,
broken, lispirited, hopeless. His eyes
sought not those of his fellow man
they were downcast. with the film uf
tears shading them. He sat away
from the rest of the senators by him
self, his thoughts with his dead friend
Others came in with the party Of
mourners who aroused momentary in
terest. J. Pierpont Morgan was no
ticed, John Wanamaker and ex-Attor-
ney General Griggs. More senators
came among them Spooner, Kean, Aid
rich, Gallinger, Tillman. Proctor, Ma
son, Scott, Bailey, McLaurin, then
more members of the house.
The diplomatic corps filed in, state
ly, picturesque, dignified and solemn.
Then came the hushed whisper. ''The
President"
Men arose in silence to pay respect
to the living as well as to the dead
God bless our president the bishop
was heard to murmur as his tear
dimmed eye turned from the bier to
the chief executive. Mrs. Roosevelt
accompanied her husband. He took
his position and she stood behind him
1t was nearly II O'Clock when the re-
ligious services began. The sweet
strains Of Lead, Kindly Light, filled
the place with it's spirit as well its
melody.
cat it's conclusion the Rev. H. r.
Naylor, D. D.. presiding elder of the
Methodist Episcopal church, Washing
ton district, prayed for the dead.