Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-03-20
Funeral of MIR, Sumner
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES GREAT AT.
TENDANCE.

/
IMPRESSIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT All.
TENDANCE.
The funeral of the late Senator Sum.
ner was attended at the Senate Chamber
on Friday. 1t was filled to its utmost
capacity, and thousands of people assem-
bled at the capitol, of course could not
gain admission.
At the house of the deceased artists of
the illustrated papers were present,
sketching the rooms as they appeared
and as they were left and arranged by
the Senator.
THE REMAINS.
The body had been placed in walnut
casket, covered with black cloth and
heavily trimmed and mounted with Ger
man silver. The casket was entirely
open at the top and covered with glass
The body had been clothed in a fresh
suit of black, and the left hand had been
gracefully placed within the vest where
1t was so often wont to rest in his life
time. The face had changed since yes
terday, and had more nearly regained
its familiar form. There was slight
discoloration, but the lines of suffering
we're deeply marked. One might look
upon the corpse and imagine the great
statesman of the Commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts lying there in painful, strong
sleep. There was placed upon the glass
coffin lid white funeral cross, sent by
the ladies of the Massachusetts delega-
ton, and besides two branches of palm
placed there by Charles Summers faith
full colored friend, Mr.. Wormley.
THE PROCESSION.
A procession was formed and moved
toward the capitol. In the procession
were a great number of colored people.
AT THE CAPITOL.
AT quarter past ten the mounted 20
llcemen who headed the procession
wheeled around the north approach to
the east front of the Capitol, and soon
the hearse, drawn by four white horses,
stopped before the main entrances. The
committee of arrangements and the pail
bearers, leaving their carrisges, formed
on the steps, and then preceded the cof-
fin, which was borne by eight stalwart
Capitol policemen into the rotunda. The
Massachusetts, delegation with their fam
lilies and the personal friends of the de.
ceased followed.
A HISTORICAL SPOT.
Through the same portal have been
borne the remains of deceased Presidents,
statesmen and warriors, and it was there
that the Massachusetts Sixth, after hav-
ing been attacked in Baltimore, entered
the Capitol, which was thus saved to the
Union. After the remains had been de-
posted on the plain, low black catafalque
beneath the centre of the dome, the pal
| bearers and mourners repaired to the
Marble Room of the Senate.
CROWDS AT THE CAPITOL.
The Capitol, so long the scene Of the
public labors of the illustrious deceased,
was crowded at an early hour. The in
terror of the rotunda was draped with
black, as was the Senate Chamber and
the adjacent corridors. Additional chairs
had been placed between the desks and
chairs of the Senators aud outside of the
bar for the many invited guests and for
the members of the House.
THE VACANT DESK.
Ga the desk of the departed Senator,
at which he sat when he received the
blows which, after years of suffering,
caused his death, was large bouquet of
rare white flowers, while the chair was
draped in black.
VIEWING THE REMAINS.
The outer lid of the casket was re.
moved, and as the living tide of human
ity passed slowly by, each one cast a last
sad look upon the mortal remains of the
deceased statesma,. Alas they are but
mortal, and since the spirit has departed
decay is invading the tabernacle of the
flesh; but the features were recognizable
as those of the champion of freedom and
equal rights, and the colored men, We
men and children were evidently i'm
pressed with gratitude as they gazed on
one who has really been sacrificed that
they may be free.
CEREMONIES.
The House of Representatives pro
ceeded to the Senate Chamber, also the
President and Cabinet, and Supreme
Court. The remains we're then brought