Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19

had withdrawn into the library to the
north Of the drawing room In which the
casket was placed and here also gathered
other friends when the service was held
The friends and public associates of the
dead President all had opportunity to view
the remains before the service began. The
members Of the cabinet had taken their
leave before the others arrived. They re-
NAMED seated beside their dead chief
while the sad procession viewed the body.
They were On the north side OF 1t, place
directly at the head had been reserved
for President Roosevelt Secretary Root,
sat alongside this empty chair. Then came
Attorney General Knox, Secretary Ions,
Secretary Hitchcock, Secretary Wilson
and Postmaster General Smith in the or
der named. About hundred In all saw
the remains. Some were so overcome with
grief at the sight Of the thin, placid
countenance that their frames shook in
conclusive sobs. Several chung to the side
of the bier and with difficulty could he
persuaded to leave. Almost every face
was tear-stained. The great love for this
man choked all in tho house.
Among those In tho procession were
senators Fairbanks and Burrows. Cover
nor Yates of Illinois, Comptroller Dawes.
General Henderson and wife, Representa-
tive Ilttauer of New York, ex-Postmaster-
General Bissell and the consulting physi-
ciens, most of whom had met President
Mckinley personally for the first time af-
ter he was stricken and who had Learned
to almost adore him while he suffered so
patiently on his bed of pain. Senator
Hanna, who was the dead mans friend
for years. entered the room at this time
but did not approach the casket His face
was like an iron-willed man who would
not let down the barriers of his grief The
senator spoke to no one. His eyes werc
vacant. He passed through the throng and
seated himself behind Governor Odel.
sinking far down into his chair and rest
ing his head upon his hand. During all
the service that followed he did not stir.
PRES. ROOSEVELT AT THE CASKET.
just before If o'clock President Roose-
welt entered, coming into the room from
the rear through the library. After pass
ing into the hail he had made his way
around through the sitting room behind
into tho library. There was an instantanc-
GUS movement in the room as the Presi-
dent appeared. The procession was still
passing from the south side around the
head of the casket and back between 1t
and the members of the cabinet seated at
its side. Every one rose and all eyes
were turned toward the President. He
moved forward again with the tide OF the
procession to his place at the head of the
line Of cabinet officers He held himself
erect, like a soldier. his left hand carry
ing forward his silk hat Those who were
coming toward him fell back on either
side to let him pass. He paused once or
twice to silently shake hands, but there
was no smile to accompany his greeting
He too, like the man deep down in his
seat against the wall who had forgotten
to rise when the President of the United
states entered. seemed to be restraining
a great grief. When President Roosevelt
reached the head of the line of the cabinet
officers he kept his face away from the
caskot The infantrYmen guarding the
corpse of tho dead was before him rigid
as a statue. Although the commander in
chief approached, he could have touched
him. the soldier did not salute. He did not
even take off his cap. So does the soldi,
on duty guard the dead. The Presiden
spoke to Secretary Root or perhaps +
would he more precise to say that tn
latter spoke to him The President APP
poHred to be steeling himself for a loOl
into the face of him whose death haC
made him the first ruler In the world
The tension in the room was great. Nom
could keep their ayes from him. Every
one seemed to he waiting. The minlste
of the gospel stood with the holy boob
in his hand ready to begin. Perhaps /
might have been sixty seconds. 1t seeme'
longer. Then the President turned and a
the same time advanced a step. He bowed
his head and looked down into the prison
house of the man whose burden and re
sponslbilty he had taken up. Long h
ga2ed, standing immovablc save for
twitching of the muscles of the chin a
he laborcd with heavy breath to rcpres
his emotion. At last he stepped back Cot
Bingham, the aide to the President stand
ing ten feet below the foot of the Casko
at the side of the loyal CortclyOu, glance
in the direction Of Rev. Charles Edwar'
Locke Of the Delaware Avenue Methods
FDiSCOpal church. who was to conduct TIL