The Last Tribute

TO THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT AT BUFFALO.

     Sunday was a period of gloom in the city of Buffalo. Thousands upon thousands thronged the streets and walked or stood in the wind-driven rain while in hushed voices they talked of the calamity that had befallen the Nation: a calamity that carried the weight of its woe to every home in the land. The sound of laughter was stilled. Grave faces, set lips and tear-dimmed eyes told the story.
     Out in the neighborhood of the Milburn home where were begun the last rites—the last ceremonial honor that in love and veneration of God a Christian people show their dead, surging, yet quiet humanity banked up the lines that barred approach to the house in which lay the body of the Nation’s late Chief Magistrate, William McKinley. Strong men wept as frail women cried. The wailing of children pierced the sob-broken stillness.
     The brief funeral service over the remains of the late President McKinley were held at 11 o’clock and conducted by Rev. Dr. C. E. Locke, pastor of the Delaware Avenue Methodist Church of Buffalo. In the house was gathered President Roosevelt, Members of the Cabinet, Senators and other invited guests.
     After the ceremony the casket holding the remains of the dead President was under a military escort taken to the City Hall and from 1 to 11 p. m. a double file of people passed by and viewed the remains. While the crowd was waiting in line a heavy rain fell drenching all. This did not seem to lesson the assemblage.
     The casket was placed in the very center of the main corridor of the City Hall directly under the dome. Great masses of green palms, ferns and bay trees were banked across the halls leading into the main corridor. All over were handsome floral tributes, some brought from the Milburn house, others sent to the City Hall direct.
     The open space in the floors of the two upper floors which lets in the light from above was taken up by a black canopy. Under this floating down over the casket were four large silk flags, the Stars and Stripes. The iron work of the stairs and the rail about the rotunda were entwined with black and white bunting.
     The funeral train, bearing the body of President McKinley and escort, left Buffalo for Washington over the Pennsylvania railroad at 8:30 Monday morning.
     Tuesday the body lay in state at the National Capitol.
     To-day the body of President McKinley will be taken to Canton, Ohio, his former home.
     To-morrow (Thursday) funeral services will be held at Canton, Ohio, and the burial will follow. The entire National Guard, of that state, numbering over 5,000 men, will be in attendance.
     Thursday will be a day of prayer and mourning throughout the United States. President Roosevelt has issued an official proclamation so ordering. Similar proclamations have been issued by Gov. Odell of New York, the governors of other states; by Mayor Diehl of Buffalo and the mayors of other cities. The public schools of Buffalo and throughout the country will be closed. There will be special services in church, temple, synagogue, chapel and other places of worship throughout the land.