The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-09-17
Presiden nt's Neighbors
Give Way to Grief.
CITY IN MOURNING
Buildings Oraped and Evi-
dences Of AffIiction
Everywhere Ap.
parent.

SATURDAY was Uay OF gloom IN Can
ton. The idol of the city and of the
nation was dead. The first shock ex-
perienced when the news came Of the
shooting had passed away. Hope had
arisen as the bulletins from the bed
side became more and more favorable.
But when assurance of his recovery
was greatest, there was change for
the worse, and from Thursday evening
until his death, news from the bedside
of the great statesman was waited with
bated breath.
All through Friday night Canton did
not sleep. The bulletins early in tho
evening indicated that the time of the
presidents death was near at hand,
and his friends and neighbors, who in
cluded every one in his home city,
waited for the end with as
MUCH APPREHENSION
as though the dying one were men,.
ber of their immediate families.
1t was not alone the president whom
they mourned. 1t was the man. Pres
ident Mckinley had a warm place in the
heart of every one in Canton, which was
manifested by the universal gloom that
overspread the city when it was an
nounced that he was dead.
President Mckinley expired at 2:15
eastern standard time, which is one
hour faster than the time in Canton.
Five minutes after his death the news
was bulletined in his home city. and
the solemn notes of tolling bells car
ried the sad news to those who in their
homes waited to hear the worst. The
LONG VIGIL WAS ENDED.
For q few moments after the announce
ment had been made, the crowds stood
mutely around the bulletins. gazing as.
II fascinated by the penciled words.
One by one they then departed to their
homes.
Saturday morning, the laboring
masses of the city wended their way to
the shops and factories. They found
the doors closed. With one accord, and
without consulting each other, the man
ayers of Canton's great concerns felt
that
NO WHEEL SHOULD TURN
on the day of the death Of the nations
chief executive. AS a result the city
was crowded early Saturday morning
with men and women, boys and girls,
who had started to their daily tasks,
but who, finding the shops closed, did
not return home Immediately, but went
to the center of the city to talk the
death Of the president over, and consult
the latest extra editions Of the papers
that were being sold upon the streets.
On all sides could be eeen groups Of
sad-faced men and women talking
earnestly or poring over the newspa-
pers.
Every item that had reference to the
president was read eagerly, and there
were glowing 4ta
TRIBUTES OF PRAISE
heard on every side. Ever and anon
someone, goaded by the universal grief,
would break out in bitter denuncia-
tion of the foul assassin and the anar-
ehistic organization that .incited him to
the horrible crime. It was very evil
dent that had Czolgosz been held In
custody in the home city of his victim,
no Jail bars could have saved him from
the revenge Of an outraged people.
All over the city flags were at half
mast or draped with crepe. The drap-
ing of the courthouse was especially
elaborate. This was also true of the
property Of the general government of
which the dead president was the head.
THE GENERAL GLOOM
lasted all day, and 1t was noticeable that
there were no Republicans and no Dem
ocrats In the groups that stood and dis
cussed the news. All were American
citizens whose chief had been slain. All
were citizens of Canton who had Loot
neighbor and friend. Had anyone at
tempted to talk along political lines his
words would have been discordant to
the feeling Of the masses. But no one
did attempt 1t, even the most indiscreet
feeling that it would be out Of place.
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY
for Mrs. Mckinley were heard OF. all
sides, and could her ears have heard ths
many kind words that were uttered, in
spite Of her great overmastering sor-
row, she could not have failed to find
comfort and solace in the outpourings
of universal sympathy that emanated
from the hearts and lips of her homo
friends and neighbors.