Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-17

the gates.
The way as cleared and down the path
way STROBE a body OF soldiers and sailors
chosen as the body bearers and guard.
They were met at the entrance OF the OBJ
servation car where the body lay, by All
officer and admitted at once. Through
the clear plateglass windows the casket
showed in wrappings of the national flag,
covered with rare garIandS and set
pieces Of flowers. The undertaker's as
sistants removed the floral pieces to the
vans which were to carry them To the
White House. The sailor with drawn
cutlass and the soldier with fixed bayo-
net who Stuou grimly like men of stone
at the head and foot of the casket. gave
way to these men as though reluctant to
abandon their sad duty.
Meanwhile farther down the station.
the party on the funeral train We're
alishting. Secretary Gage had pressed
forward and entered the ear where the
mourners sat and assisted them TO de-
scenG. Mrs Mckinley was aided by Alb
ner Mckinley and DR.. RiXey and was
speedily placed in a carriage which drove
off at once TO the White House without
waiting for the procession. Close behind
late President, who likewise were driven
away Immediately to the Executive Man
sion. Mrs. Mckinley was closely yelled
She leaned heavily on the arms of her
supporters.
President Roosevelt came next. His
arm was closely clasped by Capt. Cowles
OF the navy, his brother-in-law. They
walked rather hastily along between the
files of officers To the carriage way next
the gates of the station. 1ne President
walked firmly erect. looking TO neither
side, his face set and sorrowful. Close
behind him pressed the members of the
cabinet, headed by Secretary Hay and
Gage, escorted by Gen. Gillespie and a
contingent of the ranking army and ma
val officers in waiting. Senators Hanna
and Fairbanks followed. The former
walked without a sign of weakness and
as though he had nervcd himself to the
occasion.
Meanwhile the casket was being remov-
ed from the observation ear. One of the
large windows was lowered at the side
ana slowly and carefully the casket was
slipped out through the opening and ten
derby received upon the bent shoulders
OF the body bearers. Four artillery men
from Fort McHenry, Maryland, We're on
the right and four sailors on the left.
Strengthening themselves under their
burden they walked slowly toward the
heaIse. In front of the casket marched
four officers, Major Parker. Col. Bling
ham, Captain Gilmore and Major Nc
Cauley, and in that order while the
officers on either side and in the en-
trance stood with uncovered heads the
reInai ms We're carried to Sixth street
and placed in the hearse AS the cas-
ket emerged bugle note rose clearly
and taps rang out.
Just beyond the entrance to the sta
ton, President Roosevelt with the
members of the cabinet had taken
position so as to leave broad space
for hte funeral cortege. They ranged
themselves on the sidewalk in double
rows opposite each other and stood
with barred heads as the corpse was
carried to the hearse drawn up at the
side gate. The hearSe, an exquisitely
carved affair. was drawn by six coal
black horses, each of which was led by
colored groom in black livery.
Just as the body was being placed in
the hearse an incident occurred that
caused a murnur of disapprobation.
A photographer from nearby window
suddenly flashed a light for the pur-
pose of obtaining a reproduction Of the
scene. The fiashiiSht and accompany
ing noise made people shudder Pres
ident Roosevelt seemed to be momen-
tarily much disconnected.
The hearse bearing the body of the
third martyred President quickly
moved away and was followed at once
by President Roosevelt and those ac-
companying him.
In the Presidents carriage beside
Mr.. Roosevelt We're Secretaries Hay
and Gage and Capt. CowleS. Secreta-
ries Root and Hitchcock, Attorney
General Knox and Postmaster General
Smith followed in another carriage.
while Secretary Wilson. Secretary Cor
telyou. Secretary Long and Senators
Hanna and Fairbanks drove behind in
other carriages. The citizens commit
tee from Buffalo. officers of the army
and navy and friends followed. The
military was already in line.
AS the procession swept from the
Sixth street station in Pennsylvania
avenue a deeply impressive sight was
presented The historic thorOughfare
was hung in black. Emblems of the
nations mourning were displayed on
every building. The Stars and Stripes,
furled and knotted with crepe, flOated
from hundreds of windows. over all
CLEANED coldly scores of electric
lights. defining sharply each detail of
the solemn scene.
Banked on both sides of the avenue
from Sixth street to the Executive Man
sion We're tens of thousands of people.
who had come to pay their tribute of re-
spect and love to the memory of their
President With barred heads, in deep si-
lcnce, the people watched the last home
coming of President Mckinley. There
was no music. Amid the hush of the
great crowds, only the clatter of the
horses hoofs ringing sharply on the
pavement was heard.
A platoon of mounted police in COM
mand of Sergeant Matthews led the way
Next came a delegation of c. A. r. men
from the Department of the Potomac
members of the Union Veterans and tn.
Spanish War veterans and Troops | and
l. of the 18th Cavalry from Fort Myer
No. Following the cavalrymen was tn.
bod nit