The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-18
SAD NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Quietly the Crowds Waited on the
Streets OF the Capital for Messages
From Buffalo.
SnecIal To The State.

Special To The State.
Washington, Sep. 14.-People who were In
Washington last night viii never forget inc
scenes they saw. 1t rivalled The crowd on
Main street in Buffalo that fatal Friday after
noon .one week ago when the whole towh
seemed awed. Last night here there was less
Lhan the accustomed noise on the streets At
hour by hour thousands stood in front Of the
different bulletin boards on the avenue.
while many more kept vigil at the dluerent
departments and clubs. The ca!amltous news
of the sinking spell was given out by extras
early Friday morning and extra editions were
run OFT about every two hours. Then at !
o'clock, as the departments were letting out
ca me the news OF the presidents rally, follow
ed by the incorrect rumor OF his death at s 80
The kilograms stating this fact were cancelled
but not until 1t had spread through the city:
Then the crowd-Uade up OF all ages, SeX and
color-com menced 10 gather around the bulle'
tins. Washington, even on election night,
has never before gathered such throng. AS
the hours wore on the crowd became larger.
Far out across the avenue, even impeding car
traffic, the crowd stood almost silent.
From the megaphone on the second story
OF The Post building every few minutes the
kilograms would be read out. One telegram
gave hope about II o'clock K. A short cheer
arose. But in moment there was deep re-
spectful silence again. Then, when about five
minutes after he died came the saddening
news, every man present took of his hat. II
rocked like a multitude standing IN silent
prayer. The presses OF the paper had every
thing in readiness for the last extra, which
was at O clock this morning. The hundreds
of newsboys who had been ordered to remain
al the offices were called and In few mo
ments their wild shrieks arose from every sec
tlon of the town, ''The president is dead Ex'
ira Extra! The president is dead" Washing
tonians say they never experienced such
night before. Newsboy after newsboy would
pass aloug all through the residential portions
OF the town and soon every tenanted mouse
had q light In II.
There is a common and sincere sorrow here
nf ".
body. Even in the big department with the
accustomed noise there ia d subdued and sad
dened tone and look.
Numbers OF clerks have to tell OF his per-
sonal Kindness to him or her and incident
after incident which 60 to show The Inherent
goodness OF the man are SPOKEN OIL They
grieve for the president OF the united States
and also for Mckinley the man. Perhaps nc
president Of the United States, has excited
the respect OF everybody as has MIR. Mcki n
ley. II was cordlality that he expressed by
look, tone and handshake. He had the same
characteristic in his con versation which for Il
woman made Mrs. Cleveland the most popu.
lar FIRST lady Of the land"
In his drives about the city, which In the
fall and spring he and Mrs. Mckinley would
take on every clear day. he was kept busy
taking off his hat TO every one who saluted
them. and often as they would return down
Sixteenth street he would be followed by a
number OF little girls and boys on wheels.
They were always invited into the groundA
and Mrs. Mckinley generally saw to 1t thai
they went away with flowers.
AT ii o'clock this morning all the clerks al
the departments we're dismissed for the day.
This order had to be telegraphed from Presi'
dent Roosevelt and then countersigned by
Secretary Hay.
Alter the death OF Garfield, when all the
public buildings were heavily draped in
mourning. congress- passed d statute ordering
that hereafter on the death OF the executive
or any high official no public building should
be draped. This was done on account Of the
Injury 10 the granite and marble caused By
staining. But every flag In the city is at
half mast and already many stores, hotels
and clubs have out the black smybos OF
grief.
Many private residences are now being
draped and lunches Of black ribbon are Oh
numb berless horse brides.
In love and grief that is attested on alf sides
and from everybody here, VIM. Mckinley
has had paid him all that peoples love and
griet can give or show. T. A. McM.