The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-05

FUNERAL SERVICES OF A. E. CROFT
The funeral of Mr.. Croft, at Minneapolis on
Sunday, was attended by probably the largest
concourse that was ever assembled in Min
neapolis.
The Masonic fraternity of st. Paul engaged
special train, and about eighty gentlemen,
representing the various Masonic bodies in
this city, went up. On arrival at St. Anthony
they were formed in order, the Knights Tenn
plar in advance and were joined by the men,
bers of the Chapter and Blue Lodge and
marched over to the Lodge room in. Min
neapOlis, where the procession was formed to
proceed to the residence of the deceased. The
Templars were in command of Sir A. T. c.
Person. Captain General of the U. s. of A.
Sir Eugene Wilson was the Grand Marshal, as
sisted by DR.. Murphy and others.
The body was carried by the pall-bearers to
the Baptist Church, surrounded by the Temp
lars in triangle. Upon the coffin was the
| sword, belt and hemlet of the deceased. At
the conclusion of the religious services in the
Church, the coffin was opened and an oppor-
tunity given for all to view the face of the de-
ceased.
The ceremonies were the same as at the
funeral of Capt. Saunders, who was the first
in the West buried with the Templar's service.
AS the body was to be taken to Troy, N. Y,
for interment, the Masonic ceremonies were
performed in front of the Church.
After all had viewed the body, it was borne
by the pail bearers through the Templars' lines
who formed an arch of steel in the centre of
of the circle formed by the Blue Lodge and
Chapter Masons, about two hundred in num-
Der. While the body was being carried, all
united in singing the Templars Dirge. The
The mourners were placed at the foot of the
coffin. The Knights Templar formed tri-
angle, The apex at the head, the base at the
foot of the coffin. The Templars' service
was rendered in his usual effective manner.
by Lieut.. G. w. Prescott, Prelate of Damascus
Commandery, assisted by DR.. w. L. Ames,
Commander of Zion Commandery, of which
deceased was member. During the service
the sword. belt and helmet of the deceased
were taken from the coffin, ard presented to
the E.. c.. by the j.. W.. The s.. w..
then presented Cross to the Prelate, who,
with the language peculiar to the service de-
posted it on the coffin, as in the Master Ma
sons service the apron is deposited.
The Templars then formed in two lines, from
each side forming the arch of steel, and sang
the Templar's Dirge No. 2. They then fell
back into the circle, and the mystic chain was
formed, the broken link at the head. This
was the most imposing scene we have ever
witnessed-upwards of two hundred Masons
in circle, forming a chain, all balancing as one
man. during which the Master Masons' Dirge
was sung. The Grand Honors were then
given, and the Masonic ceremonies closed.
The coffin was then placed in the hearse
and surrounded by the Templars marching in
triangle, was accompanied to the bridge, where
the lines were opened, and the body was passed
through, the Knights presenting arms
The procession then, in reversed order, re-
turned to the Lodge room. Through the lib
erality of the Masons at Minneapolis, COLA
ton was provided at the NieOllet House for the
Blue Lodge and Chapter Masons, and the Tenn
plars were refreshed in the Asylum of Zion
Commandery.
Damascus Commandery in triangle, with
Zion COmmandery in two parallel lines as es-
cort and the MasOns from st. Paul. returned
TO the cars.
Taken altogether, it was the most imposing
funeral ceremony that has occurred in the West