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

THE ,FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT

GARFIELD.

The body of the late General Garfield was removed
n Wednesday in last week from Longbranch to
Washington. Crowds lined the railway route at all
the stations. The stations along the Pennsylvania
Railway were draped in mourning. At numerous
points beautiful floral offerings were observed, and
at several places the line was literally covered
with ferns and flowers for a distance of more than a
hundred yards. At Washington the body lay in state
in the Capitol until Friday, when it was transferred to
Cleveland. The funeral train left Washington shortly
before six o'clock on Friday evening, and arrived at
Cleveland at a quarter-past one on Saturday after-
1100n.

The Times of Monday gave an account of the removal of
theTody to Cleveland, from which we extract the following
particulars :
Mrs. Garfield and her family, after the Rotunda
had been cleared, took a last view of General Gar-
field's remains on Friday afternoon, staying about
twenty minutes. Every one else retired while they
communed with the dead alone.
Mrs. Garfield gave directions for arranging the
floral tributes around the casket. At the head stood
a broken column, and at the foot the Queen's wreath,
while on the casket were only palms. Profuse floral
decorations surrounded them. A stand for the
officiating clergyman was placed near the head of the
Coffin.
Enormous crowds surrounded the Capitol as the
people entered who had tickets for the ceremonies.
The Commandery of the Knights Templars from
Baltimore then passed through the Rotunda bearing
their offerings. At 2.10 the Society of the
Army of the Cumberland, who had been guarding
the casket, took their seats, and within ten minutes
afterwards the public had filled the entire space, ex-
cepting that reserved for the officials. The Diplo-
matic Corps followed, and at a few minutes before
three o'clock the President and the Cabinet, with the
officials, entered. Mrs. Garfield and family did not
attend the ceremonies.

The funeral ceremonies in the Rotunda of the
Capitol occupied about one hour. When President
Arthur entered the entire assemblage rose to honour
him. When they had resumed their seats the Rev.
Frederick Power began the services by givirg -tut the
hymn "Asleep in Jesus," which was impressively
Bung, the sound reverberating through the dome far
above. The Rev. Dr. Rankin, of the Congregational
Church, ascended the platform at the head of the
catafalque, and read appropriate selections from Scrip-
ture. The Rev. Isaac Errett then prayed. Dr. Power
then pronounced the eulogy upon the illustrious dead,
the services closing with prayer by the Rev. J. G.
Butler. The funeral ceremonies ended about four.

When the casket was removed to the hearse, which
Was in waiting to receive it at the eastern portico of
the Capitol, the spectators moved out of the Rotunda,
many taking places in the procession. A few moments
afterwards the procession started, a military escort
preceding the hearse, which was followed by a long
line of carriages two abreast. The military marched
along Pennsylvania Avenue west of the station at
Sixth-street, and then dispersed. The hearse having
halted, the casket was taken to the train inside.
The distinguished occupants of the carriages then
alighted. Vast crowds lined the entire route,
tun reverently uncovering their heads as the hearse
Passed; With as little delay as possible the train
started, moving slowly out of the station at 5.21. A
second train, containing members of Congress, fol-
lowed eight minutes later. Crowds lined the railway
for half a mile out of the town. The train had barely
Started when the coupling between the engine and
the first car broke, causing ten minutes' delay.
A shower fell, dispersing the crowds. The train
then ran swiftly to Baltimore, crowds again lining
the railway as it approached. Towards nightfall
It passed through the tunnels, halting ten minutes
at Charles-btreet Station while the engines were
changed. It then started at 6.45 by the Northern
Central Railway northward towards Harrisburg,
crossing from Maryland into Pennsylvania at eight
o'clock. It passed York at 8.30, and came out on the
Susquehanna River opposite Harrisburg, halting
gain fifteen minutes at Marysville to change engines.
tiere the train passed on to the main Pennsylvanian
line at 9.45; then it turned westward along the Juniata
Valley through the Alleghany Mountains. No inci-
d.ents marked the journey, but crowds at all the sta-
tions watched the train pass in darkness, its occupants
Mostly seeking rest in the sleeping berths.