The Funeral Ceremonies

Hardly had death occurred when with characteristic American promptness and thoroughness the details of the funeral obsequies in Buffalo, Washington and Canton, O., were made known, and in due time carried out with little change save in minor matters. All that foresight and insight could do to make the obsequies worthy of the dead and yet democratic in simplicity was done. After a service of prayer on Sunday morning at the house at which the President died, the body, escorted by the military, was taken to the City Hall of Buffalo and the public given an opportunity to view the remains. Rain was falling in torrents most of the day, but the people stood in the rain for hours, and scores of thousands passed by the catafalque and casket between the hours of 1.30 and midnight, and when that hour was come and the spectacle of homage ceased there were thousands yet in line, drenched to the skin, who had endured all to fail of seeing the loved form once more. Monday morning trains bore the dead President and the living, the kindred of the bereaved family and a host of public officials, lesser and great, on to Washington, the tracks over which the train bearing the dead sped being lined with thousands of mourners. Bells tolled, factories were closed, school children gathered to sing religious and patriotic hymns, and in manifold ways evidence was given of profound popular grief. Arriving at Washington, under military escort the body was taken to the White House; and the next morning was taken to the Capitol amid scenes of funereal pomp such as have never been seen in this nation before. Arriving there religious services were held at which Methodist Episcopal clergymen officiated, the venerable Bishop E. G. Andrews delivering the eulogy; and after the service the body lay in state throughout the day. In the evening the start was made for Canton, where the burial will take place.