Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-19
THE DEAD PRESIDENT.

Cabinet, reached canton, u, hall an
hour late yesterday evening. The
body was taken to the courthouse,
where 1t lay In state until night, when
Il was taken to the Mckinley home.
The entire population OF the little
city and thousands from all over Ohio,
the full strength Of the National Guard
OF the State-eight regiments, three
batteries OF artillery, one battalion oil
engineers, 8 900 men In all--the Gov.
ernor, Lieutenant Governor and JUS
tice OF the Supreme Court, representing
the three branches of the State govern
ment, we're at the station to receive the
remains. The whole town was in deep
black except the Mckinley residence.
The blinds were drawn but there was
no outward token OF mourning.
When the funeral train arrived from
Washington at noon no move was
made to take the body from the Car
until after Mrs. Mckinley and the
other members Of the family bad been
driven away in the carriage TO her
home under q special escort OF mount
ed troops. Mrs. Mckinley was weep
iug bitterly and seemed on the point OF
collapse.
Ten minutes later the funeral pro-
cesson formed. Five thousand sol
diers OF the Ohio National Guard were
10 line. The guard OF honor was headed
by Admiral Dewey and General Miles
in full uniform. Major Brooke,
Oils, and Macarthur were also there.
The procession then moved to the
Courthouse. The hall in the Courthouse
where the body was to lie ia state had
been handsomely decorated for the
occasion. The walls and ceilings were
huBg with dead black.
Moving solowlY. with short steps,
the coffin was borne to it's support,
Immediately it was surrounded by
guards, a Knight Templsr, al Ohio
national gusrdsmsn, a sailor aud SOL
der of the regular army. Back and at
each side we're squads OF soldiers and
marines st "present-arms."
The silk banner that was flung over
the casket WAS drawn back. the wreaths
which rested upon its head were re-
moved and the coffin lid was taken of.
Word was quickly passed to President
Roosevelt, aud, followed by the mem
bers of the Cabinet, he stepped brskly
into the hall. He glanced down as he
reached the cssket, halted for the space
of breath and went on. The embers
If the Cabinet followed him one by one.
Later the doors were opened to the
public aud crowds passed in to view
the remains.
Many of the people a. they looked
on the face OF their dead friend whom
hey had seen but two weeks ago ia
full health caught their breath at the
change that wss there. The Presi-
dents face was much thinner tnan they
bad expected 1t would be, and the sight
that met their eyes shocked them
greatly
The signs of discoloratioD which ap
pearei upon the brow and cheeks on
Tuesday at the state ceremonial 10 the
rotunda OF the Capitol at Washington
had deepened. Toe lips had become
livid. Ali but two lights Of the chan
delier above the head we're extineuish-
ed 10 order that the change might sp-
pear less noticeable. but every one
who viewed the remains remarked
the darkened features and the CHASTITY
lips. Throughout the afternoon the
human tide pressed steadily forward to
the bier, and when the body was taken
away thousands were still 10 line, and
the comm tee 10 charge OF the arrange.
ments was appealed to allow a further
opportunity 10 view the remains today
before they are taken TO the church;
out this had to be reluctantly denied to
them, and the casket may never be
opened again. When the doors we're
closed, at 6 o'clock, the line, four
abreast, stretched fully one mile from
the courthouse, and people were still
coming from the side streets to take
their places in line.
A 6 O'Clock, whsn the doors were
closed to the public, preparations we're
made for removing the body to the Nc
Kinley residence, seven squares from
the Courthouse. Canton Post OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic act
cd as escort. and there were no Others
following. Arriving at the house the
escort formed in liue 10 the street,
arms, while the coffin borne
by the body.bearers was taken into the
house. 1t was placed in the front par
Tor, where IL remained until it WAS re-
moved 10 the church. Guards we're
posted around the house.
Last night Mrs. Mckinley bad the
body OF her husband to herself in her
Canton home. 10 the evening
Mrs. Mckinley Immediately upon reach
ng her home retired TO her room, deny |
ng herself to all. DR.. Rixey said she |
rad borne the trip from Washington
very well, although she fsequeatly gave |
way to her grief Ia cries aud sobs. DR.. |
Rxey said ii would not be advisable for |
her to attempt to attend the services at |
he church today. She will, therefore, |
'emain quietly at her home with DR.. |
Rixey.
From others who accompanied her |
N the trip it was learned that she is |
holding up as well as could be expected |
lnder the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES than |
Ter friends had anticipated, in fact.
,he is breaking down. however, under
he awful strain, and 1t is necessary
hat she secure all possible rest and
Iuiet, that she may endure the ordeal
# the: next "a hours.
dispatch from Canton says; The grsvest
apprehension 10 felt for Mrs Mckinley. This
act is admitted by her physicians. Her CO.
ape while leaving the funeral train was fol-
owed In the evening by the most serious at
ack she has yet suffered. She became hys-
ericsl and demanded that her husband be
'rought to her. For sn hour she was per.
nitttd to sit in the room with the casket
The headpiece was taken off and she gszed
ong and tearfully at the loved face. Her grief
'ecame 30 pitiful however, that she was led
rom the room and put TO bed at 6 o'clock.