Morning journal and courier., 1883-07-20
The Tom Thumb obsequies.

The Funeral Exercises and Procession
 A private funeral service over the remains of Charles s. Stratton, 'tGeneral Tom Thumb" was held at the residence of his mother in-law, Mrs. Bump, in Warrentown. near Middleboro, Mass, on Tuesday. The vulgar curiosity of many of those who at tended the funeral of Minnie Warren. who died short time ago, induced the relatives to make this occasion as private as possible. Only personal friends and acquaintances were invited to attend, as, when Minnie War ren was buried, over 8 thousand people hocked to the house, elbowed their way about, crowded through the house and grounds, and entering Tom Thumbs private cottage across the way, explored the house from top to bottom. Many of the towns people were present. From 9 to 10 o'clock in the morning crowd of friends were con- stantly around the open casket. The services were brief. A quartette furnished the music. Rev. Mir. Fairbanks, of the Baptist church, made short address and the Lords prayer was chanted by quRrtette. The bereaved wife sobbed bitter ly throughout the exercises. The clergyman prayed for the mother whose comfort and reliance had been this son. and for the grief stricken wife. Then thirty Freemasons formed in procession and escorted the re- mains to the train for Bridgeport. To the few who saw Mrs. Stratton enter the carri- age it was 8 pitiful sight to witness the heavy crape drapery about the figure of this little lady quiver with the great sobs that she strove hatd to repress. Mrs. Southworth, her sister, who has taken the most sympa thetic care of her, entered and soothed her grief in a measure before the procession started. Major Newell has been at Middle boro during the past week but he did not at tend the exercises in Bridgeport. Accompa- nying the remains were Mrs. Charles s. Strat- ton and her mother, Mrs. James s. Bump, MT. and Mrs. Southworth and daughter and Mir. Sylvester Blocker.
 The arrival of the remains at Bridgeport Tuesday evening and the Masonic honors given were detailed yesterday. The remains lay in state at the church yesterday morning from 10 to 12 8. m., and an immense mum ber of people, about 1000 it is estimated viewed them there. At 12 o'clock the doors were closed to allow the intimate friends of the deceased to view the remains. The casket stood at the foot of the church in front of the font, where all could easily view 1t and pass on without interference The face of the corpse had a perfectly natural appearance The General lay in a broad cloth dress suit, his arms crossed upon his breast, upon which rested the decora- ton of the thirty-second degree of the Masonic order, of which he had been an en- thnsiastic member. The casket was lined with white satin. Near by stood the floral oferings-Rn anchor and cross combined, from Mir. and Mrs P. T. Barnum; square and compass of white blossoms with purple G in the center, from MT. W. R. Higby, and a cross from the Knights Templar. guard of honor under command of Junior Warden W. J. Dorrance and composed of Sir Knights A. H. Doolittle, H. w. Watson, S. D. Beers, F. c. Bennett and E. s. Sumner surrounded the remains. The Generals mother and sis ter, Mrs. Osgood, and the husband of the latter arrived on the 11:13 train and viewed the remains.
 The funeral services at St. Johns church took place at two o'clock, Rev. Eaton W. Maxcy, rector of the parish. officiating. He was assisted by Rev. l.. N. Beach and Rev. Geo. s. Pine of New Canaan. The entire Episcopal service, including the committaI were rendered at the church. The caSket during the services rested at the chancel gates with the feet toward the altar. The floral offerings were profuse and handsome. A large anchor and cross combined. resting on base and composed of carnation pinks and white roses, from MT. P. T. Barnum, ,and square and compass in white flowers with the letter G in purple, standing on a floral base, from w. R. Higby, Esq were among the most noticeable pieces. Tho music by the church choir was deeply impressive, Professor H. Waud presided at the organ. Hamilton commandery No. 5, with the full Howe band, and St. Johns comandery No. 3 attended in body.
 At the close of the services at the church an opportunity was given the Masonic breth- ren present to view the remains after which they were taken in charge by Hamilton commandery, members of the commandery acting as pail bearers. The procession was formed and the funeral cortege moved to Mountain Grove cemetery where the inter ment took place in the family plot. During the march to the cemetery the Howe band rendered the following appropriate selections by Handel, Funeral March by Rossini, and ''Dead March" by Beethoven. The ser vices at the grave were conducted wholly by Hamilton commandery in accordance to their usual customs. The casket was lowered into grave of solid masonry two feet thick, over which was lowered a massive marble slab weighing several tons. The church was filled to its utmost capacity.
 When MT. Barnum learned the death of his old friend and fellow snowman, Tom Thumb, D he at once sent the following char acteristic and sympathetic telegram to Mrs. Stratton
 MONTREAL. July 16. To Mrs. General Tom Thumb, Middleboro, Plymouth
 County, Mass. warmest gympathies. Death is as much part of the divine plan birth. The Heavenly Father over comes evil with good. His will be done.