Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-06
brigham YOung's Funeral.

SALT LAKE, Sept. 2.-Yesterdsy the body of
Brigham Young lay in state in the big Taberna
Gle, and many persons visited it to take last look
of the face of the departed prophet. The same
was to be seen to-day until IL NJ, and a stream of
people poured steadily. through the building for
hours. The house holding 10000, was full by 10
o'clock. The organ pulpit and galleries were
draped appropriately. On the stand were Brigham
Young's councillors and ten Of the twelve Apos-
ties, two being abroad, the band and the Taocr-
nacle choirs, the Mayor and Council of Salt Lake,
four to five hundred Ecclesiastics, Presidents,
Bishops and their councillors. and some reporters.
In the front, filling eight long slips of the left
tire, were the sons and daughters by blood and
marriage of the deceased, and their children.
Opposite them, in the right centre, a similar
group OF his wife and their relatives, headed by
his first wife and his last favorite, Amelia, his
brothers and other connections, distinguished by
mourning colors. Back of these were the high
priests and the seventies 10 q body.
At noon the coffin was closed and placed on a
high bier at the head Of the centre aisle covered
with wreaths of flowers. The band PLAYED the
Dead March in Saul. The services then began
with singing prayer, and brief eulogistic speeches
by Councillor Wells and several of the Apostles.
Nothing extraordinary took place. There was
less allusion than usual to their wrongs; i'm
precautions on their enemies; nothing becose.
The speaking was commonplace, aud all in the
same groove. Their leader WAS dead, In an earth
their leader, who never dies. If prayers could
have kept him alive longer he would have been
saved, but his work done he had fallen
asleep like like an infant, surro,lnded by his
friends. He has gone home. His mind was of
unequalled grasp. Nothing was too large or too
| small fol- 1t. His impress was upon all that con.
cerned them. lie had seen the darling wish OF
his heart grated in the completion of the Tenn
pie al ST. George, and the proper ordering of the
sacred rites therein. Let US finish other temples
lis q nhpy ia
and meet him in the morning of the resurrection,
when and where his spirit and body will be again
Joined together
-Four years ago Brigham Young wrote directions
as to his interment which Elder Cannon read.
They were to keep his body three or four DAYS, or
longer If possible; the coffin and one uarter
inch redwood boards, with ample room for him to
turn TO the right or the left If he chose pillow to
be placed under his head, and to be buried in his
temple clothing. His family are instructed not to
buy Grape for the occasion; the ladies might wear
| mourning If they had II; the services to be sim
pie. II any one wanted to speak briefly, all well.
The body to be placed on bier and carried to his
private burying lot, where stone vault was to be
prepared. The coffin was to be placed in q box Of
| the same MATERIAL and the vault covered with fiat
stones, and nice, dry, fine earth put them,
There let it rest in peace, and have agood sleep
until the morning Of the resurrection. There
to be no crying at the grave. Ii before he died,
his people should return to Jackson county, Mis-
souii, he wanted to be buried there.
After hymn composed for the occasion and the
benedcton, the people quickly left the house and
grounds and ranged themselves against the ropes
along the route to the cemetery. Perhaps one in
fifty were in tears. The procession consisted of
the band and tabernacle choir the Mayor and City
Council, Brigham Young's four brothers; the
body, borne surrounded by the apostles; the fam-
ly and relatives: the priests and til ee thousand
every bodies. The cotfia case was lowered by
derrick.
A song was sung, prayer was offered, and the
people dispersed. The ceremonies we've marked
by extreme simplicity, and the impartial spectator
must have felt the want of impressiveness, not
wihstanding the number present. The mourning
was spread over too much surface TO seem deep
at least to o non Mormon.