The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-19
ALL CANTON WAS OUT
To Show Esteem and Love For
It's Distinguished Citizen.

Canton, Sept. 19.-Many of the peo-
pie as they rocked Wednesday after
noon upon the face of their dead friend
whom they mad seen but two weeks
ago in full health caught their breath
at the change that was there. The
presidents face was much thinner than
they had expected it would be and the
sight that met their eyes shocked them
greatly. No delay was permitted, and
fully $50 people a minute passed the
bier
Throughout the afternoon the human
tide pressed steadily forward. -Four
abreast in double lines, without a mo-
ment's halt the people hurried by the
casket and then, with tear-stained
faces, passed out of the darkened
chamber into the bright sunlight In
the line were those representing all
stations in life, all ages, all conditions
At one moment, old man, bent and
withered. who had known Mother
Mckinley, tottered up to gaze upon the
silent features. He was followed by
man of middle age who had gone to
school With Mckinley. Over on one
side was the Knight Templar who had
marched beside Mckinley in parades
All who came had some recollection
of personal relation with the man lying
there cold in death. Fathers brought
their children and held them over the
bier for a f1eeting glance at the up
it's mother for a sight its little mind
could not comprehend. Toilers came
from the factories, and dinner pals III
hand. trOOped by the bier of him they
called their benefactor and their friend.
Now and then knots Of school children
hurried past, awe-struck at the gloom
of this chamber of death. Often the
guarding soldiers were compelled to
step forward and gently restrain a
hand that sought a bud from off the
fiOwer-decked casket. 1t was plain that
a great flood of emotion was swelling
up in the hearts of these SOrrOWints
people. Strong men made no conceal
ment of their grief, their tense faces
and fearful eyes telling the story of
personal bereavement which came upon
them. Many women Wept, and during
the afternoon one young girl gave way
to her feelings by loud walls which
echoed through the corridors. As the
people hurried by they gave expression
to suppressed EXPLANATIONS of anguish
at the sight of the pinched face lying
there in the coffin It was not the face
they had known so we'll and almost
without exception the people turned
away regretful that they had not re-
tanned in their minds that picture of
manly vigOr which they knew so well. |
Many of his nearest friends refrained
from looking upon the face, preferrin-
to preserve the memory of him as in
life.
Late in the afternoon an aged man
leaning upon two crutches which he |
the door through which the people were |
making their exit He asked the sentry |
to allow him to enter. and when the sol !
der refused, saying that he had receiv- /
ed orders to allow nobody through that I
door, the old man stood back the pic I
ture of woe. In a short time he again /
asked the young sentry in pleading /
tones to allow him entrance through /
the doorway, saying that in his feeble |
condition ne was not able to stand IN |
line, which at that time was extending /
fully mile from the entrance. 4
fought in his regiment during the war;
he said, land I just want to lay this
flag on his coffin and then keep it as a
reminder of the time I saw him last
Take it in said the sentry, and the
veteran hObbled into the hall. When he
got inside he had more trouble and was
compelled to explain his errand several
times Finally the line passing the cof-
fin was stopped long enough to allow
the old man to step to its side for a
glance into the coffin, and to lay his
tiny flag on its glass front. Then he
turned back with the crowd, hugging the
now sanctified flag tightly beneath his
coat
At one time a group of school girls
a approached the caslxet. There were six
of them and they came three abreast
One in the forward row leaned over for
a look and gently disengaging from the
bosom of her dress a scarlet geraniun,
laid it gently on the top of the wreaths
that We're resting there The others
followed her example, and although the
sentries had orders to permit nobody to
place anything upon the coffin or to
touch the floral offerings that were al
ready there, the little tributes of the
girls were allowed to remain, and they
were still on top of the coffin when it
was carried through the door on its way
to McKin1ey's cottage on North Market
street.
All through the afternoon the crowd
passed the catafalque approximately at
the rate Of 100 every minute, making in
the five hours in which the body lay in
state total of 10000 people, practically
a number equal to the actual popula-
lion of Canton. When the doors were
closed at O'Clock, the line. four abreast
stretched fully one mile from the court
house and people still were coming from
The side streets to take their places in
inc
At 6 o'clock the doors were closed to
he public and preparations made for
'emoving the body to the Mckinley res
dence. Canton cornmandery of the G.
A. r. acted as escort and there was no |
following. Arrived at the house the es-
,ort formed in line in the street, pre-
Ienting arms while the coffin. borne by
he body bearers, was taken into the
louise. It was placed in the front par
or, to remain until removed to the
.hurch
Guards were posted around the house
md a number of sentries were placed
n the front yard
a woman with a little red baby on