Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-06-14
Home Sweet Home.

PAYNE S REMAINS LAID TO FINAL REST
WASHINGTON, June 9.--Aiter thirty
wears burial in the land Of his exile,
the remains of the author of Home
Sweet Home" were to-day laid to rest
in the soil of his native land. The
pageantry of funeral ceremonies on
the occasion were q tribute to the
genius of John Howard Payne, in
keeping with the peace which he holds
in the homes and hearts of the Ameri-
can people. With solemn strains, fu-
neral dirges, measured tramp,
marshal columns and distinguished
following of notable men, representing
all the honorable walks of life, the fu-
neral procession passed through the
streets of the national capital to the
silent resting place of the dead. All
the pomp and circumstances OF hui
man grandeur contributed to this final
honor paid by the living to the dead.
The government was represented by
the chief executive and his council, the
constitutional advisers by occupants of
the bench, the judiciary, by mem
bers Of both houses Of congress,
by numerous representatives of army
and navy, and by members OF the di-
plomatic corps. When the vast pro-
cession reached Oak Hill the monu-
ment was unveiled. 1t is a shaft of
white marble, surmounted by bust
one, half larger than life size, is support
ed on a base of solid gray granite, six
feet square. The height Of the mOnu-
ment IS sixteen feet, and its general
design is Roman of purely classical
type. The inscriptions and designs on
shaft are simple. La the front is the
following brief but sufficient inscrip-
ton: emo. Howard Payne, author
of "Home Sweet Home" born June
9, 1872; died April 10, 1852" On the
back is an inscription which was on
the tombstone that marked his grave
in Tunis. It is as follows:
Since, when thy gentle spirit fed
TO realms above the azure dome;
With arms outstreatched Gods angels said,
Welcome to heavens home, sweet home,'
The monument was shrouded in folds
of white, and was unveiled during the
exercises. Ample platforms were
built around three sides, leaving the
south side open. Ga the north side
was platform occupied by the speaker
and distinguished guests. On the left
or west side were seated the singers
and marine band, and on the east side
was 81 large platform where the general
public were accommodated. There
were seats provided for about 1900 peo-
pie. The front of the speakers plat
form was crowded with evergreens
and flowers, while the folds of our
national flag and the Tunis colors ap-
peared on either side. When the pro-
cession reached the cemetery the coffin
was carried by the pall-bearers inside
the grounds and laid upon the bier at
the side of the monument. 1t rested
upon bed of evergreens and flowers.
The order of exercises were as follows:
Music, marine band, reading scriptures,
and a poem by Robert S. Chiffon,
after reading which the monument
was unveiled and Payne's "Home
Sweet Home" sung by fall
chorus with organ accompaniment,
the whole assemblage joining in the
last verse. An GRAFTON by Leigh Rob
inson was part of the Intern ent cere-
monies. Music, Grand Hallelujah
charus. Messi&h), Handel, Philhar-
monte society and Marine band, the
audience rising; benediction; music
dnale-Marine band, "Safe IN the arms
ofJesus." The coffin was then placed
in the vault directly beneath the mon
ument.