The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-20

ion front facing the house, and the long
line of flashing sabres advanced to sa-
lutte.
BODY BORNE FROM THE HOME.
Now the deep toned wall of the church
bells began and every steeple in Canton
gave forth its dolorous plant. 1t Was
lis o'clock and the time had come for
taking up the body. brief private ser
vice had been held within the dafK'ned
chamber, DR.. Manchester saving "a prayer
while the relatives gathered around and
Mrs Mckinley listened from the half
open door of her adjoining room The
double file of body bearers now stepped
into the room and raising the flag wrap
ped casket to their shoulders, bore It
through the open entrance. A solemn
hush fell upon the multitude IS he bear
ers advanced with measured tread Not a
bugle blast went up; not a strain of the
hymns the dead ruler had loved so we'll.
The scene was majestic in its silence.
AS the casket was borne along above the
line of heads could be seen enfola;ng stars
and stripes, and on top great masses of
white roses and delicate lavender orchids.
Tenderly the coffin was committed to the
hearse, and the silence was brofen as the
order to march passed from officer 20 Off
GER.
PROCESSION TO THE CHURCH.
The great procession now took up it's
mournful journey passing under The swet p.
of giant arches robed in black, between
two living lines of humanity masscd along
the streets covering housetops and filing
the windows. The church bells still were
tolling, mingling their dismal tones with
the cadence of the funeral dirgc. Preced-
ing the funeral car, and forming the
first division rode General Torrance,
National Commander G. A. r.. with a
long line of grizzled veterans. After Them
moved the National Guard of tha State
Of Ohio, platoon after platoon, under
command of General Charles A. Dick.
Then came the solemn funeral coitege,
the Presidents favorite commend, Troop
"a riding ahead. At the head OF each
of the coal black horses drawing the
hearse marched a soldier Tie heads
of the horses bore tall Hack plunes,
and over them were thrown long pa Is of
black.
At either side of the hearse marched
the guard of military and naval honor,
the generals on the right led by Genera,
Miles and the admirals on the left led
by Admiral Farquhar. Then came The
long line of carriages. for the relatives
and friends and after them the innumer-
able military and civic organizations thai
had assembled to pay this last honor to.
the fallen chief. In the line 'rare divis-
ion after division of Knights Tenplar,
Knights of Pythias, Masons Odd Fellows,
and representatives of beneficial or1ers,
chambers of commerce, as well as dele
cations of citizens from cities and towns
throughout the State and country.
ARRIVAL AT THE CHURCH.
1t was 80 o'clock when the process
sion passed the courthouse and turned
into Tuscarawas street, to the stately
stone edifice, where the funeral services
were to be held. At the church entrance
were drawn up deep files of soldiers,
with bayonets advanced, keeping a clear
area for the advancing casket and the
long train Of mourners. The hearse
halted while President Roosevelt and
members of the Cabinet alighted. Again
they grouped themselves at either side
of the entrance, and with uncovered
heads awaited the passage of the casket.
Then the flower covered coffin was
brought from the hearse and as it pass
the President and his Cabinet followed
within the edifice. The mourners. too,
passed inside, but the stricken widow
was not among them. She had remain
ed behind in the old home, alone with
her grief.
SABLE SYMBOLS OF WOE.
The scene within the church when the
ca sket was carried in on the brawny
shoulders of the soldiers and sailors was
profoundly impressive. A black border
twenty feet high, relieved at intervals
by narrow white bands falling to the
floor, swept completely around the in
eror Only the gilt organ pipes, back of
the pulpit rose above it. The vestibules
on either side of the chancel leading
into the church We're black tunnels. the
stained glass windows on either side
were framed in black and the balcony
of the Sunday school to the rear thrown
open into the church by large sliding
doors, was shrouded in the same sombre
colors
Graceful black streamers festooned
along the groined arches of the nave
formed black canopy above the chan
eel From this directly above the low
flag covered catafalque on which the
casket was to rest hung a beautiful
silk banner, it's blood red and snow
white folds tied midway with a band of
crepe.
THE FLORAL OFFERINGS.
But it was the floral display at the
front of the church which filled the
whole edifice with glory. The center of
it all was a great wreath of American
Beauties framing black -bordered por-
trait of President Mckinley. From it,
extending outward and upward was
perfect wealth of gorgeous blossoms.
The effect was as if a great rushing
wave of color had broken into flowers
at the foot of the bier. 1t was exquis-
ite. Words melt away powerless be-
fore the tender beauty. Purple and
green We're the dominent notes-orchids,
violets, palms and evergreens against
the sombre background There were
many handsome pieces. Against the
walls on either side were floral flags
and upon the pulpit rested an urn in
white carnations, broken at the base to
represent the water flowing from it.
At either side of this urn were the
cross of the knights Templar and the
crown of the knights of Pythas, while
to the east was the square and compass
a,