National Republican., 1883-07-30
THE LATE MONTGOMERY BLAIR.

Impressive Funeral Services at Rock
Creek church Yesterday.
Under tho tall spreading branches of the
trees at Silver Springs, the residence of the
late Hon. Montgomery Blair was gathered
yesterday large number of people, assem-
bled to get one last glance at the face of their
dead friend. The scene was quiet one, and
after each visitor had looked at the face of
the dead statesman he passed out and went
silently away. There was but short service
at the house, which was conducted by the
Rev. DIR. j. B. Averitt, of Grace church at
Silver Springs, to which service all but
members of the family were excluded. The
coffin, which was in the rear parlor, was
almost hidden by flowers The coffin was of
| black walnut covered by black cloth, with
| silver handles. Upon plate on the
top was inscribed the following: "Mont-
gomery Blair; born May 10, 1873; died
| July 27, 1883" The body was attired in
black dress suit and black cravat. His face,
which so many knew so we'll, was shrunken,
but around the corners Of his mouth traces of
a smile lurked, showing that he had died as
| he had lived, quietly happy.
The floral tributes of which there were
many, were of skillful pattern and artistic
design. Ono piece was large wreath of
| yellow tea roses with a background of green
| leaves. Another was wreath of oak leaves
and tea roses. A large cross of tea roses and
calla lilies; q large piece representing the
rising sun on bed of green; crown of car
nations and Marshal Neil roses surmounting
pillow of roses and lilies, and many other
designs were placed on the coffin.
At 3 p. m. Gawler, the undertaken, arrived
and completed all necessary arrangements. At
4:15 the Rev. j. b. Averitt reached the house
and after the short service the cortege started
| for the church. As the coffin was being
| frnp thn bn
lawn stood reverently with uncovered heads,
while from passing train a bell tolled and
then died away, leaving but the echo. The
| pallbearers were Joseph III. Bradley, S. G.
Watkins, Dr.. Davidson, f. Pilling, j.
Marlow, Parker Jones, and III. Corral.
Ten years ago Mr. Blair named seven
| gentleman whom he wished to ofiiciate as
pallsbearers at his funeral, and yesterday
there was not one of them present, all having
| died since that time. The cortege started
from the house at 4:30. All along the road to
the church and in front of houses stood peo-
pie waiting to SEQ the funeral procession pass.
Rock creek cemetery was reached shortly af-
ter $50. In and about the church were gath
cred large number of prominent people,
among whom were Secretary Lincoln, Post
master General Gresham, Secretary Folger,
| Hon. Joseph Johnston, eN-Secretary Belknap,
Surgeon General Crane, Gen. NJ. G. Meigs,
Maj. Nicholson, Wright Reeves, G. S,
Noyes, Admiral Lee and wife, b. II. War
ner, and many other friends and associates of
the dead publicist. The little old church,
which stands in the center Of the cemetery
and covered with the running vines, was
soon reached, and as the body was lifted from
the hearse and borne within, the organ pealed
forth solemn drge. uu >s,
| Preceding the party into the church was
| Rev. Mr.. Averitt chanting requiem, with
Rev. DIR. Leonard, pastor of st. Johns
church, and Rev. Mr.. Buck, pastor of the
| Rock Creek church, Immediately behind.
| The pallbearers came next bearing the coffin,
while the relatives and friends followed.
The body was placed before the chancel rail-
| ing, and after every one was seated the Rev.
| Mr.. Buck read selections from Timothy i, 27,
and job /, 81. The organist then played a
requiem for the soul. Rev. Mr.. Leonard
read the burial service, after which the con-
gregation repeated the Lords prayer. Prayer
was offered by the Rev. DIR. Averitt, and the
choir sang Jesus, Saviour of My Soul"
The cortege was again formed, and the
| body was conveyed to the family vault u
| short distance from the church. Rev. DR..
Averitt read the funeral service when the
vault was reached to which DIR. Leonard re-
sponded. Rev. DR.. Buck pronounced the
benediction, and while tho remains were
| being conveyed into the vault the Lord 3
prayer was repeated. The assemblage who
had gathered to pay tribute to the remains
| then departed. The ceremonies were very
| impressive, and were listened to by an inter-
ested audience. Six colored servants who
had been with Mr.. Blair for half century
were in attendance, and gave vent to their
grief in wild bursts of wailing and storms of
tears. 1t was estimated that about three
hundred people were present.