The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-17


miles. When o'clock came 10000 people
had already passed and the crowds wait
ing below in the streets seemed un-
diminished. 1t was decided to extend the
time until midnight Then for hours lon
ger the streets were dense with people
and a constant stream flowed up the
steps of the broad entrance into the hall
and passed the bier.
When the doors were closed at mid
night it was estimated that 10000 people
had viewed the remains, but thousands
of disappointed ones were still in the
streets.
The body lay in the city hall until
this morning, when it was taken to thc
station by military escort and at $50
the funeral train consisting of seven cars,
started for Washington over the Penn
sylv"nia Railroad. Mrs. Mckinley bore
up bravely Sunday during the service at
the Milburn residence and Dr. Rixey,
her physician, thinks she will be able
to support her trying part in the State
funeral at Washington.
HOW HE LOOKED IN DEATH.
The funeral service at the Mlburn
house was conducted by Rev Charles
Edward Locke, OF the Delaware Avenue
M. E. church.
The dead chieftain was stretched upon
his bier. His head was to the rising
sun. On his face was written the story of
his Christian forbearance with which he
had met his martyrdom. Only the thin
ness of his face bore mute testimony to
the patient suffering he had endured. He
was dressed as he always was in life.
The black frock coat was buttoned across
the breast where the first bullet of the
assassin had struck. The black string
below the standing collar showed the lit
tie triangle of white shirt front. The
right hand lay at his side. The left
was acrcss his body. He looked as mill
lions of his countrymen have seen him.
save for one thing. The little badge of
the Loyal Legion, the only decoration he
ever wore, which was always in the left
lapel of his coat, was missing. And
those who remarked it, spoke of IT,, and
after the body was taken to the city hail.
the little badge which he. priced through
life was placed again where it had al
ways been.
The body lay in black casket on a
black bear skin rug. Over the lower
limbs was flung the starry banner he
had loved so well. The flowers were few
as befitted the simple nature OF the
man. A spray of white chrysanthemums,
a flaming bunch of red American beauty
roses and a magnificent bunch of violats
were on the casket. That was all. Be-
hind the head against a pier mirror be-
tween two curtained windows rested two
superb wreatns of white asters and roses.
These were the only flowers in the room.
Two sentries, one from the sea and
one from the land, guarded the re-
mains. They stood in the window en-
brasures behind the head of the cas-
ket The one to the north was IA ser
geant of infantry. In the other window
was the sailor garbed in the loose blue
blouse of the navy.
ALONE WITH HER DEAD.
The family had taken leave of their
loved one before the others arrived. Mrs.
Mckinley, the poor grief-crushed widow,
had been led into the chamber by her
physician, Dr. RiXey, and had sat awhile
alone with him who had supported and
cOmforted her through all their years of
welded life. But though her support was
gone she had not broken down. Dry
eyed she gazed upon him and fondled
his face. She did not seem to realize that
he was dead Then she was led away by
DR.. Rixey and took up her position at the
head cf the stairs where she could hear
the service Mrs Hobart, the widow Of
the ce-president during Mr.. McKinIey's
first term, Mr. Lafayette Williams of
Chicago, Miss Barber, Miss Mary Barber
and DR.. RiXey remained with her there
The other members of the family Mr.
and Mrs. Abner Mckinley, Miss Helen
Mckinley, Mrs. Duncan Miss Duncan Mr.
and Mrs. Barber and Dr.. and Mrs Baer
had withdrawn into the library to the
north of the drawing room in which the
casket lay and here also gathered other
friends when the service was held.
The friends and public assistants of
the dead President all had opportunity
to view the remains before the review
began. The members of the Cabinet had
taken leave before the others arrived.
They remained seated beside their dead
chief while the sad procession viewed his
body. A place directly at the head had
been reserved for President Roosevelt.
About hundred in all saw the body.
Some were so overcome with grief at the
sight of the thin, placid countenance that
their frames shook in coHsulsive sobs.
Several clung TO the side of the bier and
with difficulty could be persuaded to
leave. Almost every face was tear
stained. The great love for this man
chokcd all in the house.
The services began with the singing of
Lead, Kindly Light" by a quarette.
When the singing ended the clergy
man read from the word of the 18th chap
ter of the First Corinthians. All had
risen as he began, and remained standing
throughout the remainder of tho services.
Again the voices rose with the words
Nearer Nv God TO Thee" the very words
President Mckinley had repeated at in
tervals of consciousness during the day of
agony before he died As the music died
away the pastor spoke again. Let us
pray, he said. and every head fell upon
its breast. He began his invocation with
a stanza from hymn in the Methodist
church. His prayer was as follows:
THE PATHETIC PRAYER
ooh God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home"
We, Thy servants, humbly beseech Thee
for manifestations of Thy favor as we
come into Thy presence. We laud and
magnify Thy holy name and praise Thee