Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-24

WASHINGTON, Sept. 90. At twenty min
utes past eleven. two closed carriages drove
up to the east lower end of the Senate wing
and the occupants passed up the private
stairway to the Vice Presidents room. All
the corridors and passage ways upon the
main floor of the Senate wing were quickly
barred to all corners and instructions given
by the sergeant-at arms to the employees Of the
capitol and police to keep themselves hidden
in the recess of the doors and windows, while
Mrs. Garfield passed through to the rotunda.
The guard of honor went from view for the
time being. In a few minutes the little pro-
cession emerged from the Vice Presidents
room and passed around through the east cor
rider, proceeding in the following order
through the silent and main passageway Of
the building: The sergeant-at-arms. Bright.
leading, then followed Mrs. Garfield, lean
ing on the arm of Gen. Swaim Harry Gar
field, MolIie Garfield and Miss Rockwell.
Col and Mrs. Rockwell and Attorney Gen
eral MacVeagh and Mrs. Swain. Not
sound was heard save the soft pattering OF
feet on the marble floor, and the little COM
panv rObed in sombre garments of the deep
est mourning, passed silently on to mingle
their tears and pay the last earthly tribute
over the xasket which sealed from view the
form and features of the dearly loved hus-
band, father and friend. After remaining
about twenty minutes in the rOtunda they re-
turned quietly, and in the same privacy en-
tered the garages and returned to the resi-
dence of the Attorney General.
At Las z. NJ, the crowd around the Capt.
tol numbered many thousands, aud was con-
.tantly receiving fresh accessions. Every
entrance of the building was closed and
crowded, and none are admitted without
special tickets. Arrangements for the fun
eral in the rotunda are completed, and the
chairs and sofas are labelled to designate for
whom they are intended. The position of
the floral offerings have been changed. and
now nothing remains upon the casket, save
few branches Of palm. At the head of the
catafalque. stands a broken wreath of white
and purple flowers, surrounded by a white
dove.
On either side of this, are tastefully ar
ranged . pyramid of white roses. At the
foot and resting against tina black drapery, is
the wreath, which, by order of the Queen, was
placed upon the casket yesterday. Ar
ranged upon either side of this offering from
the Queen, are handsome crosses, while at
their base is placed magnificent floral pill
low, on which is inscribed in violets, ''Our
Martyred President" Next to this is placed
The Gates Ajar," which attracted SO much
admiration yesterday.
The Knights of Malta have contrib uted
large Maltese cross, and the Union Veteran
Corps. Of which Garfield was a member,
pillow of white fow-rs. bearing in violets
the letters L. v. C. The whole appearance
of the catafalque is beautiful.
The chairs which have been placed on the
south side of the casket are arranged, and
sofas for the accommodation of Mrs. Gar
field and family directly opposite, and on the
north side of the catafalque are the seats re-
| served for members of the cabinet and dis
tinguished guests. The front row of chairs
in the northwest section of the rotunda will
be placed at the disposal of the Justices Of
tie Supreme Court, while in the rear of
these, several rows have been selected for
the accommodation of the Secretaries.
The Representatives will occupy seats on
the uth-eastern and southwestern section.
BESIDES these a row of chairs have been re-
served for the representatives of the Press,
and the remainder of the seats in that sec
ton will be given to the public generally.
Soon the members Of the Diplomatic Corps
arrived and were ushered to their seats. The
military portion of the procession, which will
escort the remains to the depot, formed right
in front, facing the east front of the Capitol,
at quarter past two, with the district military
holding the right of the line.
At Las the doors of the rotunda were
opened. The first society to arrive was the
knight Templars, Beausant COmmandery of
Baltimore. They entered in full regalia, but
did not remain in the hall, simply passing
around the catafalque in double file. Four
of the number bore floral offering in the
shape of an immense Malta cross. which vas
reverently placed at the head of the door at
the head Of the dais.
At ten minutes past two the Army Of the
Cumberland filed in by the door leading from
the Senate chamber, and took their seats in
the space reserved for them. Immediately
the doors were thrown open to all holders of
tickets. In ten minutes the chairs set apart
for the general public were completely