Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-28


the Winooski Avenue Congregational
Church. The different organizations then
marched to the Winooski Avenue Congre-
gational Church. the Sherman Military
Band leading and playing an appropriate
selection. The galleries of the church had
long before been filed up with specta-
tors, scores upon scores OF whom
were unable to obtain seats, and
stood against the walls and wherever space
could be found The different organizations
present almost completely filled the body of
the church; and then, admission being
given the general public, the few remaining
seats were filled and the sisles were crowded
half way up to the chancel. Mrs. Foster
was supported by Con. Fosters brother,
Mr.. Curtis Foster; and his venerable
mother was present, together with quite
number of relatives of the family,
The psll-bearers were: His Excellency
Governor Redfeld Proctor. Gen. W. Y. W.
Ripley. Col. W G. Veszey, Of Rat
land Gen. P. p. Pitkin, and Gsneral
Stephen Thomas, of Montpelier Or. S. j.
Allen, of White Riyor junction lex sur
geon Of the old FOURTH: General George
j. S,annard and General William Wells.
The cofin (Which was placed directly in
front of the pulpit) was covered with a
Uaited States flag, and across it was laid
the sword (shesthed) presented to Gen.
Foster by his old regiment. On it, too,
was u beautiful cross of h)wers and ever
green. The h,ral tributes were Numerous
and elegant including a broken column
and harp, very largo and beautiful
cross of white flowers, a basket Of flowers.
q small cross, from Volunteer Hose Com
pauy, b. B. Smalley, Ethan Allen Engine
Company, and the wife of Deputy Marshal
Thomas Failey, respectively and other
aJral tributes from Col. I. 5. Peck. the
members of Post Ssannard, G. A. R.,( q
cross of white flowers, with the letters
sc. A R." in violets,, and others.
The services open ed with a prayer by the
Rev 7. A Griffin, pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Tho Rev. Mr.. Brastow
then read some appropriate selections from
the Scriptures. and the hymn Jesus, Lover
Of My Soul was rendered by a quartstte,
consisting of Misses Lane and Pierson AMI
Messrs Hopkins and Toby. The Rev.
Mr.. Brsstow then offered prfyer, and
the services closed with the hymn
ABIDE with me-" The various or
CARNATIONS then marched out Of
church and the procession was formed in
the following order: The Sherman Military
band the Capitol Guards of Montpelier,
twcnty-ons strong. in full uniform and with
their muskets; the Green Mountain Boys
of this city, also uniformed and armed-the
two companies forming battalion under
the command of the ranking officer, Capt.
R. j. Coffey. Of the Capitol Guards (whO
is, We may mention, q veteran Of the old
Fourth; large delegations from al the
companies OF the city fire department; VOL
colt Lodge of Mssons (ot which Gen. FO.ter
was Past Master), some fifteen in number
Washington and Burlington Masonic
Lodges, in charge of Lieutenant Albert
5. Cummins. U. 5. A, as marshal
the remains. in hearse drawn by four
white horses the mourners veterans of the
old Fourth regiment (of whom large num-
bers were presently members of the e.. \.
R., with full ranks; and long line of
carriages. The funeral procession was one Of
immense size, being nearly if not quite mile
in length, and was one of the most imposing
ever witnessed in Vermont, and was q
splendid tribute Of the wide respect and
affection in which Gen. Foster was held.
An unfortunate thing was severe snow
storm which set in at the close of the ser
vices at the church and continued through
out the remaining exercises.
The line of march was from the church
through Pearl and Battery streets and North
Avenue to Lake View Cemetery. at the
street corners great crowds were gathered
and through the central parts of the
city the sidewalks were thronged
with spectators all alcng the line.
Arriving at the cemetery. the services
were conducted by the Masonic fraternity,
c. W. Wingste, Master of Washington
Lodge, reciting in an impressive manner
the beautiful ritual, and W. Ii. Root,
chaplain, reading the prayer. The benedic-
ton was then pronounced BY the Rev. Mr..
Brastow, the military fired three volleys
over the grave, and the remains Of Gen
George p. Foster were lett in their last
resting -plac,. A touching incident took
place just previously and reached the hearts
Of all who saw it. When the stricken
widow and her fatherless children we're
looking into the grave for the las. time
before it was closed forever, the heart
broken little daughter dropped upon the
coffin tiny handful Of fowers-her last
tribute to the kindest and most indulgent of |
fathers,
The return march was then made, and.
the late residence being again reached, the |
various organizations marched to their |
quarters, and the Montpelier company was
escorted to the depot by the Green Noun
tain Boys, headed BY the Sherman Military |
Band
All the arrangements were carefully |
planned and most admirably carried out. 10 |
unpleasant delays or any awkward mi>hapl |
occurring throughout the ceremonies--lor
which great credit is due Gen. William
W. Henry, who bad charge of erything,
down to the smallest details. In the marsh
alling the organizations he was ably assisted |
by Capt. George o. Tayler.
tically suspended to a great extent through
out the city. and hosts Of our people were
present at the services. Large number OF
prominent men from out of town were also
In attendance. among whom We nottd Col.
Mason s. CJlburn, of Manchester Col.
Albert Clarke. Capt. John W Newton.
Capt. j n, Culver, Albert p. Gross. and
III. W. Hatch. of St. Adams Fred Smith.
OF Montpelier Col j W. Clarke, post
master Of Montpelier p 8. Benz amin.
OF WOlcott; A. o. Gates, of Norris
wills; Z. ). Palmer, of Jericho Henry
N. Newell. Of Shelhurn; Hon. Rich
ard r. Parker. OF Wolcott George L.
Waterman, Of Hydepsrk 1. P. Dana, S
c. Shurtleif and Theron o. Bailey, of Mont
pelcr ICol A S. Tracy, of Middlebury
and many other.
Senator Eimunds was. Of course, not able
to atteni the funeral. but sent Mrs Foster a
most kindly and sympathetic letter; and
similar ones were received from number Of
prominent gentlemen, friends Of Gen.