Evening star., 1901-09-14
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
The Flag at Half-Mast for Dead
President.
PREPARING FOR MRS. M'KINLEY
She VIII Occupy Her Old Private
Rooms.
AWAITING STRUCTIONS

The flag on the White House was half
masted early this morning. and on the big
front door posted the printed card,
Closed The white shades of the East
room were drawn over the large windows
and the public was not admitted to the
building. Visitors in the city walked
through the grounds, looked sorrowfully
at the closed building and went on their
way, talking in subdued voices as if the
dead President lay inside. With careworn
faces and soft steps the White House at
taches went about their duties. Occasion
ally face wore a faraway look, and the
man would mutter to a passing friend that
he could not realize that the worst had oc-
CURED.
In anticipation of the coming of Mrs Nc
kinley, and eventually of the family of the
new President a large force of hands
was put to work preparing the White
House for occupancy The intention
of Colonel Bingham had not been to do this
work for more than half a month. as II was
supposed prior to the shooting of the Presi-
dent that the executive family would not
return here until some time in the early
part of October.
Will Occupy Her Old Apartments
In case the Presidents body is brought
here Mrs. Mckinley will occupy her old
apartments until the remains are taken to
Canton. In the private room of President
and Mrs. Mckinley at the White House are
the two white, brass-trimmed single beds
They stand side by side, within a few feet
or each other and one of these Mrs
Mckinley wall rest her weary and grief
stricken body when she comes here 1t In
thought that other members of the McKin-
ley family will occupy apartments at the
mansion until the body is taken away for
tnterment.
II Is in
Mrs Mckinley that carpets are being put
down ana the usual overhauling is taking
place. The work is done every fall before
the return of the presidential family
portion or the personal effects of the dead
PRESIDENT and his wife is at Canton but
In the course of time all the remainder of
their things will be sent there to permit
the family of the new President to take
charge.
The Capitol will be used for the body to
lie In state as in the case of President Gar
field, and later the funeral may take place
from the White House. -
Awaiting Instructions.
Daniel N. Ransdeli. sergeant-at- arms OF
the Senate, was at the White House this
morning to ascertain If any instructions
had been received for him as to plans for
the funeral. He will have the Senate force
of employees In readiness to carry out in
structions when they come
No information making definite arrange
ments was received at the White House
during the morning. Everything awaited
the disposition of affairs at Buffalo.
Gen. John M. Wilson, who commanded
the $4,000 troops at the funeral of Presi-
dent Garfield, called at the White House
during the morning. In the event of
large military force at the funeral of Pres
ident Mckinley it will be comma manded, It II
thought, by Gen. Nelson A. Miles, who IN
now on his way to Washington in a special
train from the Pacific coast. Gen. Miles
his af ipc h,,k
at Seattle Thursday night learned of the
turn for the worse in the Presidents con.
dtion. He Immediately left for Washing.
ton and is expected here on Monday.