CHAPTER XXII FUNERAL SERVICES AT BUFFALO Copious and sincere was the nation's outpouring of grief over the death of William McKinley, the martyred President. Brief services were held in the Milburn home before the march to the City hall. The two favorite hymns of the dead President were sung, a chapter of the Bible was read, and there was a prayer. It was II o'clock when the people's day with their dead began. The exercises in the house were finished. The hushed crowds outside, standing shelterless under gray skies that wept with them, were waiting. The singing in the Milburn house rose for a time faint and echoless, and then was still. It was the time of tears and farewells—the triumph of the coffin-lid and the shroud. The doors of the Milburn house swung open. A brief pause, and then out through the doorways, with slow and measured steps, came a squad of soldiers and marines. On their shoulders was the coffin of McKinley wrapped in the flag he loved, and burdened with tender blooms. President Roosevelt, members of the Cabinet, and others, followed. Mrs. McKinley and the members of the family remained. The widow had passed through the ordeal bravely and without breaking down. Three long rolls of a muffled drum told those outside the house that the funeral cortege was about to appear. From the darkened rooms the assemblage began to file out to the street, where all the men instantly uncovered their heads. At the moment the coffin appeared "Nearer, My God, to Thee" ascended in subdued strains from one of the military bands. Tenderly the bearers lowered the casket from their shoulders and placed it in the hearse. President Roosevelt entered the first carriage with Mr. Root, Attorney-General Knox and PostmasterGeneral Smith. The presidential carriage fell in immediately back of the military escort. Following in the second carriage were Secretary Long, Secretary Hitchcock, Secretary Wilson and Secretary Cortelyou. Major-General Brooke was in the third carriage and the Rev. Dr. Locke and his wife in the fourth. After these four carriages there was a clear space of 100 feet and then came the hearse bearing the dead President. At the head of each of the leading horses a police officer walked with a hand at the bridle. On each side of the hearse walked a detachment of soldiers and sailors, four picked men from the army and marine corps on the right and as many more blue jackets, under Lieutenant Eberly, on the left. Immediately back of the hearse marched a score of G. A. R. veterans, who had been assigned to this post of honor. In the carriage following the Grand Army marchers rode Senator Hanna, Governor Odell, Senators Fairbanks and Kean. Senator Burrows, Director-General Buchanan, and two exposition officials occupied the next. Then came Colonel Bingham and Maj. Thomas W. Symonds, who was the active representative of the War department at Buffalo, since the shooting of the President occurred. The members of the White House staff, who were so closely identified with the late President, rode together. As the funeral cortege moved south through Delaware avenue toward the City hall it passed through a vast concourse of people filling the walks and cross streets and crowding house tops, windows, and every available space of the buildings along the line of march. The City hall had been appropriately draped for the lying in state. When the procession arrived the casket was lifted from the hearse and taken within. Circled about the bier was a distinguished company. To the left stood President Roosevelt. At his left was Attorney-General Knox. Then came Secretary Long and Secretary Wilson. Across to the right Secretary Cortelyou stood. With him were Secretary Root, Secretary Hitchcock and Postmaster-General Smith. Guarding the body was a sergeant of artillery at the head, a marine at the foot, to one side was a sergeant of infantry, to the other another marine. The casket was immediately opened to its full length. An American flag was thrown across the foot of the casket, and resting against it were wreaths of roses. The coffin was of red cedar, covered with black cloth, and bore the following inscription: At 12:15 the doors were opened to the public and there was a remarkable demonstration, which proved how close the President was to the hearts of the people. Arrangements had been made to allow the public to view the body from the time it arrived until 5 o'clock. But the people were wedged into the streets for blocks. Two lines were formed. They extended solidly nearly two miles. When 5 o'clock came 40,000 persons had already passed and the crowds waiting below in the streets seemed undiminished. It was decided to lengthen the time until midnight. Then for seven hours more the streets were dense with people and a constant stream flowed up the steps of the broad entrance into the hall and passed the bier. When the doors were closed at midnight, it was estimated that 90,000 persons had viewed the body, and thousands were still in the streets. Never, probably, in the history of any city were the inhabitants so cast down with grief as was the case in Buffalo. The people, of course, realized to the fullest extent the awful calamity that had befallen the nation, but they felt it more keenly, perhaps, than any other part of the United States, on account of the fact that the President was, at the time, their honored guest, who the day before had delivered one of his most extraordinary addresses, which by its brilliancy attracted the attention of all America and Europe. It is appropriate to say that the people and the city officials conducted themselves throughout this sad ordeal in a dignified, highly commendable manner. |