The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-06-13
John Howard Payne's Funeral.

/
WASHINGTON, June 9.-After 81
years burial in the land of his exile
| the remains of the author of "Home
Sweet Home" were to-day laid tt
rest i'll the soil of his native land
| The pageantry of the funeral cortege
and the ceremony of the occasion
were tribute to the genius of John
Howard Payne and in keeping with
the place which he holds in the
homes and hearts of the American
people. With the solemn strains ol
funeral dirges, the measured tramp Of
the funeral column. and the distin.
guished following of notable men,
representing all the honorable walks
in life. The funeral procession was
formed at the Gallery of Art, where
the military and civilians began to
gather some time before four o'clock.
The remains were enclosed in q
handsome casket and were placed in
a hearse especially built for the
occasion. 1t was a square
finished vehicle, with plate glass
walls, surmounted by six urns, and
drawn by four white horses. The
procession moved in the following
order on Pennsylvania avenue to the
cemetery: Regular troops under the
command of Major General Ayres;
high school cadets; battalion Of the
second artillery; officiating clergy;
pail bearers; hearse bearing the re-
mains of the illustrious poet; fifty
carriages containing relatives of
Payne, and the orator of the day.
All the pomp and circum-
stances of human grandeur were con-
tributed to this final honor paid by
the living to the dead. The govern
ment was represented by its chief
executive; his council; constitutional
advisers; by occupants of the bench;
by members of both houses of Con-
gress; by numerous representatives
of the army and navy; by members
of the diplomatic corps; by promi-
nent government officials; by repre-
sentatives of foreign powers, and by
thrOngs of citizens, which gave the
demonstration a national character
that marked it as tribute of the en-
tire nation. Distinguished persons
were all along the whole course to
witness the splendid and imposing
funeral pageant. The sidewalks were
thronged and the windows filled
with eager spectators. The relatives
of Payne in the procession were Rev.
Ligner and wife, the latter being a
niece of Payne; o. N. Payne, of
Brooklyn, who was accompanied by
Gabriel Harrison, an intimate friend
of Payne's and author of the "Book
of "reminiscences" At Oakhill
Cemetery is erected the monument
a shaft of white marble, surmOunted
by bust one half larger than life
size, supported on base of solid
grey granite six feet square. The
height of the monument is fourteen
feet. Its general design is Roman of
pure classical type. The inscriptions
and designs on the shaft are simple.
On the front is the following immor-
tai epitaph: "John Howard Payne,
author of "Home, Sweet Home"
born June 9, 1912; died April 10,
1852" On the back is the inscrip-
ton which was on the tombstone
that marked his grave at Tunis, as
follows:
sure when thy gentle spirit fled
TO realms abOve-the azure dome,
With arms outstretched Gods angel said
Welcome to Heavens Home, Sweet Home
The monument was shrouded in
folds of white, and was unveiled dur
ing the exercises. Ample platforms
were built around three sides, leav-
ing the south side open. On the
north side was a platform occupied
by the speakers and distinguished
guests; on the left side We're seated
The sin gers and marine band; on the
east side was large platform, where
the general public were accommo-
lated. The front of the speakers
platform was covered with ever
greens and flowers, and the folds of,
)ur national flag and Tunis' colors
on either side. When the
coffin reached the cemetery it
was carried by the pail bearers inside
he grounds and laid upon bier at
;he side of the monument. 1t rested
IN bed of evergreens and flowers.
The order of exercises was as fol-
Ows:
Music by the Marine Band.
Reading the scriptures.
Poem by Robert s. Chiffon. After
he reading of which the monument
vas unveiled, and Payne's Home
Sweet Home sung by fall chorus
With organ accompaniment, the
whole assemblage joining in the last
verse.
Grafton by Leigh Robinson.
Interment ceremonies.
Music, grand hallelujah, rose
chorus, Messiah. handled by the
Society and Marine
Band, (audience rising).
BenedictiOn.
Music by the Marine Band, "Safe
Il the arms of Jesus.
The coffin was placed directly be
leath the monument.
II