The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-01 00:00:00

SATURDAY, OCT. 1, 1881.
- I 0..) ),,p
Ir •

this country. The catafalque is fairly smothered hi
floral gifts, above which rests the black coffin, with
the Queen's wreath surmounting it.
- -

While riding in the funeral train from Washington
Mrs. Garfield sat at an open car window in silence
until Baltimore was reached, where the roadside was
black with people. Some one reached out to pull down
the shade. She thereupon put up her hand, saying,—
"Do not pull the shade down. I want to see the
people. lam glad to see the people." She gazed at
the crowds silently till darkness set in. Then she sat
with her face close to the window. At York, where
the roadway was strewn with flowers, she pressed her
face close to the glass. After a long look at the
passing crowd, she said,—" You do not know
how I appreciate the kindness of these people."
Passing along the Susquehanna River, opposite
Harrisburg, where there were greater crowds,
she repeated the expression. Here she, kissed her
daughter Mollie, and said "good night," about nine
o'clock, the girl sobbing with almost broken heart.
Then up the lonely and beautiful Juniata Valley the
train sped, Mrs. Garfield watching the dark mountain
shadows and communing with her thoughts, scarcely
speaking. At midnight she retired. She says that
she slept comparatively well, but was again at the car
window by daylight. The Cleveland Committee sem
her sad face at the window as the car came to Pitts-
burg Station. They bowed low and she acknow-
ledged the salute gracefully. They entered the car
where the Cabinet was, and found few dry eyes at
their greeting:
At Wellsville the Governor of Ohio went on the
train with other friends. They entered Mrs. Garfield's
car, proffering their sympathy and condolence. She
received them cordially, with quiet self-possession.
She then nerved herself for leaving the train. It had
literally run through a continuous line of mourners for
636 miles, from Washington to Cleveland. Her car
was at the rear of the train. She maintained her self-
control until it was necessary to change from the car
to her carriage. As she walked, with a forced and
unsteady step, grief marked every motion. She was
to be the guest of Mr. James Mason. Mrs. Mason
was in waiting with her carriage. As she stepped
into her carriage she caught a glimpse of the hearse
and then sank back sobbing with untrollable emotion,
pent-up nature bursting the bonds which had been BO
I long imposed. _

The work of decoration of the catafalque and pavilion
was completed late on Saturday night. General Gar.
field's portrait was placed above the coffin, it being
decided that the remains should not be exposed to
view. The entire square was illuminated by electric
lights. The coffin, with its suimounting wreath, was
plainly seen from the surrounding streets. Beneath
General Garfield's portrait on a scroll was the inscrip-
tion r

- "Life's race well run;
Life's work well done;
Lifa's crown well won;
Now comes rest"
Throughout the day the populace, in solemn pro-
cession, marched through the pavilion viewing the
casket, with its floral decorations. The Queen's
wreath was a prominent object of attraction, many
remarking, "God bless her."

at the cemetery entrance and also on each side of the
carriage road leading to the vault. The cemetery gate-
way was hung with emblems of mourning. On the
keystone were the words, "Come to rest ;" on one
side the words, "Lay him to rest whom we have
learned to love," and on the other side "Lay him to
rest whom we have learned to trust." A massive
cross of evergreens issued from the arch above the
gateway.
When the funeral escort entered the gateway the
scene was most solemn. The overhanging clouds were
almost ready to burst with another shower as the
Washington Marine Band played "Nearer, my God,
to Thee." The artillery sergeants lifted le casket
from the car and carried it into the vault, Secretary
Blaine standing alongside the entrance. Mrs. Gar-
field, with her family, excepting her two boys, re-
mained in the carriages. The procession then marched
back to the public square, the mourners' carriages
driving hurriedly back in order to avoid another
shower.