Evening star., 1901-09-17


rear surrounded by Q, fence of human faces
and figures.
From 11th Street to Treasury.
The head of the sad cavalcade reached
11th street at s:05 O'Clock. From that
point on the avenus up, as far as the
treasury, the silent crowd which lined
either sidewalk was 90 dense that 1t was
with much difficulty the policemen. sta
toned about every forty feet along the
thoroughfare, could keep the throngs in
check 1t seemed that the wide Sidewalks
did not afford space enough and that the
people must Of necessity press out into
the street.
The crowd came8early. 1t was not the
joyful gathering such as is often to be
found on the historic avenue 1t was a
crowd composed of those who spoke In
whispers, and over which there was a
silence which was remarkably impressive.
In the living walls thanking the route OF
the funeral party there could be observed
all classes and conditions of the captals
people. Little children were there in num-
bers. Venerable men and women stood in
the big groups with saddened eyes turned
In the direction whence the remains OF the
distinguished President We're to come.
AS the time wore on, the throngs became
more or less restless The warm weather
made standing in such a packed assemblage
very uncomfortable. When the funeral pro-
cession came into view, however, the hum
of conversation ceased. The policemen
walked along the lines. telling all that alb
solute quiet was expected of them, but the
Kindly warning was not necessary. Inc
sublime solemnity of the occasion fully i'm
pressed itself upon all.
The arrival of the leading platoon o..
mounted policemen was the signal for all
heads to be barred The sight of the hearse
brought tears to thousands of the watch
ers. AS the carriages, which followed the
fag-draped casket. rolled by many of those
In the crowds recognized the distinguished
nY,fe, oil
would have cheered them; last night there
was more expressive ovaton-respectful,
reverent silence
Nearing the White House.
AS the cortege neared the late home
OF the dead President the pathes y,of
the scene became intense. The great con-
course of people was stilled in the presence
of death. Slowly the hearse bearing the
remains of the nations martyr was ap-
preaching the mansion SO lately bereft of
its honored occupant To the crowds that
lined the sidewalk it seemed but yesterday
he had gone forth to meet the great peo-
pie he loved and always trusted He had
gone with confidence in hds loyal record
and with SO pure purposes that his mind
could give no place to fear Of danger or
Of suspicion of evil intent In the heart of
any one of the seventy-five millions Of
people he had served SO we'll. And this
was the home coming.
AS the procession neared the White
House the spectators at that moment could
not think of the foul act of the enemy Of
law and progress. They could only bow
their heads In silent reverence and join
In short prayer for strength for the one
being in all the world loved best by the
President II the loss of him was great
to thousands who had only known him
by his acts, what must it have been to the
woman who had received his devoted care
and on whom his thought was fixed the
moment the assassins bullet pierced his
body?
Let no exaggerated report reach Mrs
Mckinley
For the first time In her married life
she was to enter home knowing that il
thousands were ready to care for her they
could not bring solace for her terrible loss
Thousands of people had gathered before
coming. Many OF them had seen the Presi-
dents triumphant entrance within those
portals through which his dead body was
now to be carried. There were no evf-
dences of a gathering of idle sight-seers
nor Of the morbidly curious. The throng
had gathered to witness a spectacle which
will be imprinted on the pages Of history
to remain as long as the word America"
Is known and while the republic that made
1t great and reYerenced by humanity Is
numbered among the nations of earth.
They were paying the humble tribute of
citizens to the memory of man who rep
ship of value.
The CoNtrast.
To those accustomed to see these out
pourings Of the people on occasions of ex-
ultation when adberents of party fill the
streets to see the man their franchise had
helped to make victorious in the field OF
polttice, the scene Of last evening was
doubly impressive The jovial remarks,
the small boys pranks and the hurrahs
Of the crowd tired of waiting for the pro-
eession to appear were absent MANY in
tlrOnR stood
exhausted nature was on the eve Of re-
belling, but there was no sound Of i'm
patience.
The immense throng massed about the
approach Of the White House was SO COM
pact that one could move along the
sidewalk. Indeed those who had taken
their places there earlier in the evening
could not have retraced their steps had
they so desired. The steps and ledges OF
the treasury building were occupied by a
silent and reverential populace. On 18th
street along the east side of the building
the mass Of humanity was continued, and
the sidewalk on either side Of the street
were lined with people. There was no
pushing. no crowding, no impatience-all
were simply waiting
Mrs. McKinIey's Carriage.
Before the hearse bearing the bier of the
President appeared several carriages were
quickly driven up the avenue, up 10Th street
and into the grounds of the Executive Man
drawn shades and was recognized by the
throng as the private family carriage OF
the late President. 1t contained Mrs. Nc
Kinley. who was accompanied by Dr. Rix-
ey, and as II by instinct, the awful hush
became intensified, the silence along the
broad expanse Of street being broken only
by the clatter of the hoofs Of hurrying
horses -
The vanguard OF the funeral cortege
turning into 10Th street from Pennsylvania
avenue was brought to standstill by the
shrill note of the bugle, this, with COM
mands Of the officers, breaking the death
like stiffness. AS the rear OF the line OF
the procession moved up the entire line
again proceeded up the street, turned into
the broad avenue to the west toward the
gate opening into the grounds of the Ex-
ecuttve Mansion, and there the detachment
of police and cavalry having come to at
tention, stood guard as the carriages and
hearse slowly entered the east gate OF the
grounds.
HE Is home" said a woman clad in
black as the hearse was seen within the
iron railing. Then the people moved as
noiselessly az they had stood, toward their
homes. No more reverential scene has
ever been enacted on American soil than
that OF last evening when the remains Of
President Mckinley were brought back to
be sheltered by the roof Of the home he