National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-24
THE LATE JEFFERSON RIHRs
A LARGE ATTENDANCE AT HIS FU-
NERAL=AN ERRESSIVE SERVICE

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT HIS FU-
NERAL-AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
The funeral orsequies Of the late Jefferson
Riyes took plsSe from the family residence, No.
3l4 street northwest, yesterday at noon, and was
largely attended. The bright, warm day was
taken advantage ofby many person, who otherwise
might have been unable to be present and to pay a
final tribute Of respect to his memory. Some time
before the hour fixed upon for the funeral arrived
visitors began assembling at the house, and by
midday the mansion was filled, the street with
out thrOnged, and people continuing to come.
The assemblRge was composed Of the Oldest and
most prominent citizens Of the District and It
universally commented upon as an uncommon &C.
currence for SO young a man to become an estab-
lished favOIite with the old and young. Still the
fact vas undisputed that the deceased, both by
promptness and honesty In his business transac-
tiOns, had won for himself position Of love and
respect among all classes Of the community:
Corcoran, Hon. F. 7. Blair, DR.. ]. B. Blake, ex-
Governor A. R. Shepherd, VIM. Gunton, Mr..
nee; Mr.. s. Masi n. B. FGgtt' John O. Evans IS,
VIM. MatttnglyI esq, and many others. Early
in the morning the handsome casket, fully de-
seribed in yesterdays REPUBLICAN, was brought
to the house and the remains attired in a suit Of
tne black broadclOth, placed therein, after
which they laid in state In the north parlor At
the head Of the coffin was q beautiful floral mon
ument Of white lapOnacas and roses, and on the
foot was laid large maltese cross Of tho same
Kind Of flowers, and Ereaths were laid on the
coffin, with the lamb-skin apron and the Knight
Templar's sword, belt and helmet, which be-
longed to the deceased.
There was a constant throng in the parlors of
his numerous friends up to the hour for the CON-
mencement, all anxious to take parting look at
that face SO beloved in life. Many tears were
shed, and expressions made Of his nobleness Of
heart and generosity, as they took a farewell
view Of the face that was to be seen no more on
earth. His deeds Of charity were many Of them
unknown while he lived, but now that he has de-
parted one after another comes to light, and
shows the true nobility Of his heart and soul.
At u O'Clock Bishop Pinekney and Rev. DR..
John Elliot arrived and soon after the family
among whom we noticed Ex-Governor Vickers, of
Maryland, Gather of Mrs. RiVes, )-descended the
stairway and took seats around the coffin. Bishop
Pinckney, assisted by DR.. Elliot, then recited
Church.
house the Masonic bodies, consisting Of Federal
Lodge, No. l; Eureka Chapter, No. 4; Washing
ton tor, ComTnSndery, no: l; Columbia, No. 2;
eepted Scottish rite; and Evangelist Chapter, No.
l; Rose CrOiX Knights, A. A. s. R., which were
the escort arrived and formed in line on the north
side Of the street, Washington COmmandery be-
ing directly in front OF the residence. At the
ciUson Of the religious exercises the relatives fol-
lowed by his friends-and that included all within
the pOrtals-steppedltOthe casket and took a final
adieu Of the beloved dead. The features were as
natural as in life, and many, who could not real
iZe his sudden demise, when gazing into his face
were still incredulOus, and intimsted that life
might not even yet be extinct; but even that
hope could be allowed no fOOthOld, for death had
could not be effaced.
When all that desired had viewed the body the
lid of the casket was closed, additional flowers
put on, and the coffin removed to the hearse by
the following pRll-bearers: From Washington
COmmanderY, K. T.-ThOmas L. Hume, E. q.
Davis, W. G. Brock, James p. Willett From
Eureka Chapter-Wm. b. Reed, E. B. Grotley.
From Federal LOdge-JOhn Bartlett and John
Crowley. The Templars in line presented swords
SIS the remains came in sight. and stood in this
position until the casket had been secured in the
hearse, when they changed to a reverse and pro-
ceeded TO the head Of the procession, led by the
full Marine band.
The chimes on the Metropolitan church played
Solemn dirSes as the procession moved on towards
the Congressional eeI.etRrV:
Lieut.. Kelley, with his force of resc-Ves, pre-;
prevented any unseemly pressure from the crowd.
On arriving at the burial ground the PROCESSION
moved On to the general receiving vault, where
the Templar service was conducted by q. W.
Parks, prelate Of Washington COmmandery, and
Blue Lodge service by Mr.. Anthony BuchIy,
Worshipiul master of Federal Lodge. At their
conclusion the remains were inclosed in the tomb,
there to remain until they shall be removed to the
family vault on the homestead.
The Masonic choir was in attendance, and at
the tomb rendered excellent music. But espe-
cially fine was the playing of the hymn, Nearer,
my God, to Thee" by the Marine band as the
procession proceeded from the main avenue up
the side pathway. following the corpse to the
vault, The exquisite manner in which it was per-
formed by the band 1t would be diticult to excel,
and it was very appropriate to the solemn occa-
sion.