The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-05-09
- Thers wers many matters Of mere

description-as Of the decoration Of the
State House At Springfield, the bearse.
eofin, &C., which viii doubtless Interest
our readers. As We can add nothing to
the account ~ given in The Sprin6eld
Jon NAL, we transfer The following to orr
columns. and oder it rs . substitute for !
any editorial notice Of our own:
THr HEARsx.
The hearse used on the occasion vas
the one rendered by the Mayor of Saint
Louis to Mayor Dennis, Il Springfield,
and WAS the same usei to convey the re.
mains from the depot 10 the cspitol on
Wednesday. |, is probably the moot
beautifully designed and finished carriage
OF the kidd in the Western country. The
body is black, oblopg in shape. the sides
relieved ty silver bands, giving it the
appearance of panel work. From this
body springs silver pillars with gold base
and capitals. and on the tops of each are
representations of mes &c. The spaces
between these pillars are filed with heavy
plate glass; around the top Of each is
figured work 10 gold. Around the top
of the carriage runs ornaments Of scroll
work of the color of gold. The doors in
the rear ale of plate glass, with figures OF
tomb wrought in silver. Each pillar is
surmouated with heavy bunch of black
ostrich feathers, between which are
eagles. draped in black. The lanterns are
silver plated and of the usual form. The
hearse containing the remains was drawn
By six superb black horses, richly drsped,
and bearing upon their crests lunches OF
ostrich plumes. We have never seen a
better or more elegant hesrse 10 all its
appointments. The spirit which led the
Mayor OF st. Louis to tender 30 beautiful
carriage for the obseQuies is highly
credita0le to HE feelings and Judgment.
THE COFFIN.
The coffin was Of the most magnificent
description. Is cost vas between one
thousand and Two III u>anj doi ar. sn,i il
was probably the handsomest ever con
structed in this untry. Il gss of ma
hogauy, lined with lead, and covered
with black cloth, Of the richest and most
expensive quality, heavily fringed with
silver, with four silver m4dallions on each
eide 10 which we're set the handles.
The outside of the cotfin was festooned
with massive silver tacks, representing
drspery, in each fold of which there was
silver star, aud the outer edges were
adorned with silver braid, with Eve las
sells, i've inches in length, each side hav-
Ing upon 1t four massive handles, and at
the head and foot there were etars Up
on the tip there was row Of silver tacks,
extending the entire length on both sides
aoou. too inches from the edge. Upon
the center was silver plate, encircied BY
SHE'D, formed also Of silver tacks, and
the face lid and top were united with FIVE
SILVER stars. The inside OF the face lid
was raised with white satin, the center
piece being trimmed with black and white
s''s braid. festooned at each corner with
four silver stars.
The remainder of the inside of the cof-
I'm was lined with box. plated satin, the
pillow and lower surface being of fne
white silk, and the whole being encircled
with chenille as in fringe. The upper
third of the coffin was lined with rich
white satin.
The following is description of the
decoration of the capital The reader will
notice 1t is in the present tense, being
written before the burial:
The general arrangement was to make
the decorations corr, spond with the room.
which is semi-eircular collonade of elev
en- i'orinthian columns, supporting half
dome, the straight side being towards the
west, IN the center of which was the
Speakers chair, which was removed for
the occasion. At the apex of the dome
Is rising sun, radiatiug to the circum-
ference. On the floor dais was erected.
assembled BY three steps.
THE CANOPY.
o. the dais is hexagon canopy. sup
ported by columns twelve fee, high, the
shalt covered with black velvet, the CAPT.
tails wrought In white velvet, with silver
bands and hilets; the canopy rising seven
feetin thee centre, tent-shsped, covered with
heavy black broadcloth 10 radiating slack
folds. surmouutsd at the apex and at each
angle with heavy black plumes with
white centre, with draped eagle on the
centre Of each crown mould; the cornice
corresponding with the capitals, covered
with black velvet; the mouldings aud
bands Of silver.
The lining Of the canopy is white
Grape, 10 radiating folds, over blue, thick
Set with stars Of silver. with black velvet
and silver flets inside the cornice. BE
tween the columns a rich velvet valance
IN folds, with heavy silver fringe, from
under which depended velvet curtains. |
extending from each column two-thirds |
OF the distance from The capitals to tie |
centre OF abe cornicei hoped with silver
bands; the whole 80 disposed as to exhibit |
both columns AID capitals iDside and out |
The fleet of The canopy and it's sup
ports ami drspery. is very imposing, the
Whole being unique and elegant, CON-
binlng ghtness and massiveness with
great eject. Twelve brilliant Jet Of eas.
burning 10 globes. shining from the CO
lums, lights the interior rejecting from
rE ell r. IL