National Republican., 1883-06-11
The Remains Of the Author Of "HOme, Sweet
Home" Laid Away in Oak Hill.
The Refinement Ceremonies Attended
BY Vast Multitude.
The President Members Of the Cabinet and Many
Other Prominent People Present
A Vast Chorus Joins i'm Singing the Dead
Authors Famous Ballad.

so many homo and foreign dignitarics, and
of so many eminent citizens from various
parts of the country, gave the occasion a ma
tional significance Tho procession which
was to escort the remains TO the cemetery
formed at the Corcoran art gallery at 4 o'clock.
The military companies were drawn up in
line in front of the gallery and the adjacent
streets were filed by an immense concourse
of citizens At 4:30 tho casket was borne
from the building TO the hearse while
the marine band played the inspirting
air of Homo, Sweet Homo." The following
gentlemen acted rs pallbearers: Gen. j. G..
Parle, u. S. A.; Commodore W. G. Temple
u. S. n. Hon. w. A. Maury, Gabriel Harri-
son, esq, w. Il. Dunlop, esq Maj. A. S. Mich
olson, and Prof. S. +. Baird. A salute was
fired by Maj. Hannemanu's battery, and tho
cortege started in the following order: Con.
II. b. Ayros, U. S. A., accompanied by his
aids; the band of Wilson Post, Grand Army
of tho Republic, of Baltimore; National
Rifles, commanded by Col. j. o. p. Burn
side; tho light battery of the second artil-
lery, led by Capt. John l. Rogers, U. S. A..
marine band; Washington Light Infantry,
commanded by Col. w. q. Moore; tho
High School cadets, under Capt. A. A.
Smith; the artillery battalion, under
Capt. Il. l.. Langdon, U. s. A.; Right
Rev. DIR. Pinkney and Rev. w. A. Leonard in
carriage; the hearse, drawn by two white
and two black horses, followed by carriages
containing tho pallbearors; carriages con-
tanning the relatives of Payne; carriage con-
tanning President Arthur and Rev. J. @.
yelling, ID. D.; carriage containing the orator
of the day, Mr.. Leigh Robinson, and the poet
of the day, Mr.. X. S. Chiffon the Presidents
carriage, containing Mrs. Bolts and his little
daughter; the diplomatic corps in carriages;
the following cabinet officers and officials in
aVpiu T.llA n L.,
coin, Secretary Frelinghuysen, Secretary Fol-
ger, Gen. Hancock, Gen. Sherman, Justice
Matthews, x-Justice Strong, Marshal Nicolay,
Judge Macarthur, Judge Cox, Deputy Mar
shal Fassett, District Attorney Corkhill, Sena-
tors Lapham and Morgan, Architect Clark,
the district commissioners, Judge Edmonds,
Con. West, Maj. Lydecker, DIR. Tindall, and
Mr.. Corcoran.
The procession moved out Pennsylvania
avenue to Georgetown, up Congress and Road
streets to tho cemetery
As early as o'clock people began to gather
at the cemetery, and when the gates opened
at $3.50 quite large crowd of ticket holders
was there inpatient to enter. The best Of
order prevailed from first to last and much
praise is due to the gentlemen who acted as
ushers for their success in maintaining the
decorum fitting to the solemn occasion. All
the vacant space surrounding the marble
shaft under which the bones of the lamented
poet were to find permanent rest had been
platformed, and comfortable chairs placed
thereon for the accommodation of visitors. All
these seats were occupied long before the
arrival of the funeral procession, with the
exception of the spaces reserved for state dig
nitaries and the diplomatic corps.
The site chosen for the monument is one of
great natural beauty. 1t rests on the crest of
the hill near the main entrance, and about
midway on the lawn between the fountain
and the chapel. The shaft of white marble,
surmounted by the bust one half larger than
life size, is supported on base of solid gray
granite six feet square. The height of the
monument is fourteen feet and its general
design is Roman, of the purely classical type
The face of the bust is turned toward the
east, and represents the poet after he had
passed out Of his young manhood and had
been made sad and serious by his long and
hard battle with adversely. The features are
somewhat sharpened, and are marked by lines
of care. A short beard fringes tho face, and
seems to heighten its melancholy expression.
On the front Of the shaft is the inscription /:
"John Howard Payne author of Home, Sweet
Home. Born June 8, 1902. Died April 10,
1852" On the back is this inscription, which
was on the tombstone that marked his grave
in Tunis
"sure, when thy gentle spirit Hed
TO realms above the azure dome,
With arms outstretched Gods angel said:
Welcome to heavens Home, Sweet Home" "
This was written by Mr.. II. S. Chiffon, the
author Of the poem which was read on the
present occasion. On tho sides are medal
lions in relief One bears a Tyre inclosed in
a wreath of laurel, the other an open scroll
crossed by a pen, which is surrounded by q
wreath of palms.
When the procession reached the cemetery
the escort opened ranks, the coffin was taken
from the hearse and borne to the bier at the
4. ....N a s...s 4
during the exercises, and the speakers and
distinguished guests of tho occasion took seats
upon the north platform, which had been re-
served for them, On the left or west side
were seated the singers, about 100 members
of the Philharmonic society, and the marine
band in their snowy uniforms of red, with
white helmets. Upon the front. OF this
platform ample accommodations were
provided for the representatives of the press.
On the east side large platform for the gem
eral public afforded seats for 1000 people. A
large space surrounding tho platforms was
roped in, and probably two or three thousand
people, who were unable to obtain seats,
gained positions inside the ropes. The front
of the speakers platform was covered with
evergreens and flowers, while the folds of our
national flag and tho Tunis standard gave
color to a scene the setting of which combined
some of tue finest effects of national beauty.
A cluster of tall oaks spread their luxuriant
| foliage overhead while here and there through
the network of shade shot glimmering rays of
| the declining sun, falling with weird effect
upon the white shrouded monument. In
front rested tho casket, pillowed in flowers,
and upon it was laid the miniature represen-
tation of wheat field just harvested, with u
sickle resting idly on the ground. Several
singing societies, comprising the best voices
in Washington, sang Home, Sweet Home,"
tho entire audience rising TO their feet and
uniting with tho chorus in singing the last
verse.
! The funeral oration was then delivered by
Mr. Leigh RObinson-a most eloquent effort.
At the conclusion of tho address followed
| the interment ceremonies, Bishop Pinkney
officiating, taking position at the head of the
bier, and Rev. William Leonard at the foot
| The coffin was lowered to its final resting
place in the vault which had been prepared
for it, directly beneath tho monument. The
| floral pieces u crown surmounted by cross
and two exquisite wreaths, which during the
| exercises had rested upon the collin, were
| placed at the foot of the monument.
The grand "Hallelujah Chorus" (HandePs
Messiah), was rendered by the Philharmonic
society and tho marine band, the audience
| rising, after which tho benedction was pro
nounced by Mr.. Leonard, and TO the music by
! the marine band, "Safe in the Arms Of Jesus,
the vast audience slowly made their way from
the cemetery.
/ The inaugural excursion Of the b. & o.
| Special series to Luay Caverns comes of
Wednesday of this week.
Stationery FOR the Interior.
The following is full list of contractors
/