Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-26
MEMORIAL TO MKlNLEY
Exercises At the Laying Of the Cornerstone
at the Late Presidents Home
FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE H0NoREO DEAD
Distinguished visitors Participate in
the Ceremonies, Surrounded by
Thousands of Reverent,
Loving Neighbors.
FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE HoNoREO DEAD

CANTON. o., Nov. l6-tspecial Corre-
spondence.) - Tho laying OF the corner
stone Of the Mckinley monument at West
Lawn cemetery by the trustees OF the
national Mckinley Memorial association
ris witnessed by thousands OF people,
no, in spite OF the unpleasant dampness
and muddy paths and threatening aspect
~ the weather, came 10 pay tribute to the
lad president
Nfnong the Ohio men, women and chill
IA who gathered about the place were
.3;lnguished men from the east, west,
lJrth and south, many OF whom are ma
tonal characters. and some OF whom had
enjoyed the closest association with the
martyred president. and the school chill
dren OF the city who had contributed their
mite toward the erection Of the monu-
ment stood in hundreds. with uncovered
heads, while the ceremonies took place.
Mrs. Mckinley occupied chair in full
view OF the exercises, surrounded by de-
voted and close friends, and sustained her
self with composure during the progress
of the ceremonies. but when all was over
broke into pitiful sobs and was led to
her carriage by Judge Day.
It was a cold. gray day but the loyal
Cantonians, backed up by the nations APP
prevail, thought not Of weather as they
trudged 20 the site on the summit of
Monument hill.
At 80 O'Clock Supreme Court Justice
William r. Day, bosom friend OF the dead
president, declared the cornerstone of the
Mckinley monument laid.
AS Judge Day Ravo utterance to the au-
thority invested I'm him by the trustees
of the National Memorial association, he
tapped the stone with a beautiful silver
trowel, & present from the architect, Mr..
Van Buren, Magonigle, for use upon this
occasion.
The distinguished officials, led by Vice
President Fairbanks, Postmaster General
George B. Cortelyou, Governor Myron L.
Herrick and Cornelius Bliss, were on the
platoon in front of the foundation. where
the exercises were held.
Justice Days Address.
AS the great stone, weighing fve tons
was slowly placed in position, under the
direction of the contractor, Judge Day
stepped to the front and, raising his hat.
began the opening remarks in a distinct
voice and said in substance "The cree
ton OF the memorial was assured by the
generous contributions of more than a
million countrymen, aided by many in
foreign lands, who, appreciating the char
acter of the late beloved president, gave
their aid in veneration of his many viz
tues and noble qualities. This assemblage
gathered here TO see put in place the cor
nerstone OF the memorial" that would be
erected upon that spot, in honor of the
life and services of William Mckinley"
For reasons that would appeal to ALL
the trustees Of the association had deter
mined to defer extended ceremonies until
the dedication of the memorial at it's COM
Ixuht xnriII he Nth tuna oVaA
when 1t would stand before the people in
it's full proportions, to be seen and known
of men, as a testimony to a noble and
useful life"
At the close OF Judge Days remarks the
Grand Army band played America" and
as the echoes of the strains were lost tc
the ear, Rev. oliver Wendell Holmes. pas
tor of the First Methodist church, OF which
the late president was a member, Offered
a prayer in which he thanked the Father
OF all good and perfect gifts" for "oui
glorious ideals" and grand leaders,
also for 'the shrines to which we max,
pilgrimages and from which lessons II
patriotism are learned that must exalt al
mankind" He closed by invoking the dl
vine blessing upon the undertaking a. hand
and referred feelingly to the silent ant
patient widow" and most reverenuy L
the dead president tenderly o
his gentle, noble life. and cruel takinl
IN and hoped that his qualities nigh
furnish inspiration TO us and our ccuntrI
for many decades to come" Twas
beautiful plea and met a hearty echo Il
4very soul present
Cornerstone Records.
Following the prayer, the usual formul
took place. A copper box containing "Ar
ticles Of Incorporation" Records of tn
Association" with all detail leading u
to the present moment-with histories o
the lives OF both President and Mrs. Nc
Iliney-a bound volume OF the "Addresse
of Mr. Mckinley" with photographs @
both William Mckinley, his wife and tn
home, the site Of the Monument hilr' be
fore the building began, together wit
sealed packages" plaster casts of saI
,ophagi" and OF the "mausoleum" and {
canton newspapers and memorandum card
.nouEh to furnish material for the estat
ishment OF a civilization a thousand year