Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-04
The Remains of Horace Gree.
ley Lying in State.
4 City Tzourns its Dead.


Hall to-day has no parallel since the day that
the dead body of Abraham Lincoln lay within
its walls. The building wore sombre,
mournful appearance with the half-masts and
pillars embodied in black serge, festoons of the
same material dropping over the portico and
enfraning the windows. On the balcony,
shrouded with mourning emblems, and heavy
folds Of the United States banner, is por-
trait of Horace Greeley, and below it is the
inscription I'VE remember with pride his
busy life"
All that was mortal Of the great journalist
was removed at 9'o'clock this morning from
the residence of Samuel Sinclair to the Gov
crnors room in City Hall. The body was en-
clostd in casket draped with black, and de-
posted in the centre of the room, with the
lace looking south. At the feet reposed a
magnificent choice exotics, and at the head Of
the remalas two crowns composed OF white
camelas, tea rose buds and vioets Il
black shield bearing crown OF wheat and
underneath il an axe and quill, with the last
words Of the dead, 1T is done, in white inn
mortelies, completed with picture Of Mr..
Greeley placed at the head Of the coffin the
simple arrangement OF the room.
Although preparations for receiving the
public were not completed till 10 o'clock, as
carly as O'Clock the square in front of City
iIhtl W as 's-t '!itf'i W aitcu7"itttS " 'iiNHf
women and children, intent 9pon taking Il
farewell lock at the face ot the departed.
Everywhere the utmost decroum prevailed.
There was no jostling, no tumultuous host to
obtain advantageous positions. hush per
vaded the entire assemblage, and each face
" ore a look of intense sadness. One of the
first men to approach the coffin was General
John A. Dix Mr.. Greeley lay with his left
arm lying by his side, and the right across his
breast. His face was emaciated and worn,
and utterly unlike that which his daily com
panions have been accustomed to see. His
appearance was that of man who had, after
terrible sulerings, succnmbed in prolonged
fight with the combined forces of mental and
bodily anguish. Tie coffin was black, with
heavy silver handles. The lid bore the fol-
lowing inscription, "IIGrace Greeley, born
February Sd, 1911, died Nov. 10Th, 1892"
and was ornamented with festoons of natural
fern leaves. At the head was another inscrip-
ton, Il know that my Redeemer liveth, and
yet another at the foot worked in violets,
The city mourns our loss
The multitude was formed in Il line and
passed into the room where the body was ~
ing, with uncovered heads. Each was allow
ed sufficient time TO view the dead. Many
ladies showed signs of motion, some Stopping
to kiss the forehead of the deceased. As the
tl'lileI muir vi tlic W vi AiiiS SiaosSS "IfiOdbh
ed, the crowd awaiting admttauce became
enormous. Laborers came down town in
their working clothes to get last look at the
face of their CHEEKY old friend, and working
girls of all ages came from their Histories and
were properly allowed to pass in before the
men, a passage was made for all persons ac-
companied by ladies. Families, evidently
from the country, came together, and the ''old
folks could not restrain their tears as they
looked on the face Of the man who had, as it
were, lived in their hearts for halt lifetime
Negroes, both men and women, were in the
line.
Among the many distinguished gentlemen
in the room was Thurlow Weed, the old man
sat near the head of the body and seemed
pleased to be questioned concerning the life
and character of the deceased. lie could not
remember that Mr.. Greeley ever referred to
any youthful amusement. They had been
Youths together, and as such were in each
others company. Everybody, said Mr.
Weed, have their hours of relaxation
but Mr.. Greeley never played. l was as
poor as he and had the battle of life 10 fight
as he had, and vet always took IelAXltin.
You see we were Of different temperaments.
Looking back over Mr. Greeley's life think
that he showed as much unseltiSh ambition as
any man that ever lived. His whole life was
given to opposing injustice and oppression
His character was perfectly pure, for he had
no vices that | knew of, and was n4st init
mate with him i'll all matters. He was tear
less in the expression of his belief in what
was right. His whole aim was to Do good.
The stream of people anxious TO gre upon
the features of the dead has continued undi-
minshed until 10 o'clock to hight, when the
governors room and City Hall were closed.
Probably fifty thousand persons viewed the
body during the day and evening. Many
thousands were unable even to reach the
steps OF the City Hall.
hIessrs. j. b. Stuart and Edward l., Car
penter were present AS representatives OF the
family Of the deceased, and at their request
IT is understood that these gentlemen intend
70 request Mr. Sinclair to allow the body To
rest in the vestbule of the church to morrow,
so that ladies and others who have not heon
able to yisit the City Hall to-day may have
nm opportunity of seeing the tlre of him
, whose name is on every lip,
The remains will be private, y removed from
the City Hall on "Wednesday to the house OF
Samuel Sinclair, ana will thence be privately
removed by friends and the Tribune staff and
enuloyees, to the Church Of Divine Paternity
| (Dr. Chspin's) on 9Th avenue, corner Of 45th
street. The funeral services will occur in
the church at ii o'clock.
The city council request that all citizens
close their respective places of business and
refrain from any secular employment; that
owners and masters of vessels i'll the harbor,
and owners or occupants of dwellings in the
city, be requested to display flags at half
| mast from sunrise till sunset. The flags on