The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-29
PRESIDENT HARRISON'S DEATH.
Scenes Attending the Last Moments of Old
TippecanOe-Tyler's Inauguration.
Ben: Perley Poore in Boston Budget

Scenes Attending the Last Moments OF Old
Tippecanoe-Tyler's Inauguration.
Ben: Perley Poore, in Boston Budget.
President Harrison's gallant horsemanship,
and the clear tones of his trumpet voice on
the day of his Inauguration, gave assurance that
he possessed health and strength equal to the
arduous duties which lay before him. But the
wild hunt after office, and the jealous wrangling
among the leaders of those who had SO triumph
antly elected him. soon vislbly affected him. Some
three weeks after he occupied the White House
he was overtaken by spring shower, while TAX
ing his early morning walk, and the following
day he felt indisposed. Pneumonia followed,
battling all medical skill, and, although
he was much better on Saturday, April
3, an unfavorable change took place and he
passed over the dark river just after midnight
on April 4, just one month after his Inaugural
ton. The last time that he spoke was about
three hours before he expired, when he cleared
his throat, and, as though ne fancied himself
addressing his successor, he said: 'Sir, l wish
you to understand the true principles of govern
ment wish them carried out. 1 ask nothing
more"
Secretary Webster Immediately sent his son.
Fletcher Webster then a clerk in the Depart
ment of State to notify Vice president Tyler,
who was at his residence at Williamsburg, Va
He at once left for Washington, and, arriving on
the 9th of March, took lodgings at Browns Ho-
tel The heads of departments waited upon him
that day at noon, and in their presence he took
and subscribed the oath of Office.
On Wednesday the remains of President Har
rison were inferred with great pomp and sincere
demonstrations of private sorrow. Minute guns
were fired from sunrise to sunset from the navy
yard, and the buildings each side of the entire
length of Pennsylvania avenue with scarcely an
exception, and many houses on the contiguous
streets were hung with festoons and streamers
of black, not only about the signs and entrances,
but, in many cases. from all the upper stories
Almost every private dwelling had Grape upon
the knocker and bell handle of the door, and
many of the humblest abodes hung out some
spontaneous signal of the general sorrow. The
stores and places of business, even such as were
too frequently seen open on the Sabbath, were
closed.
The military escort was larger than that
which, short month previous, had attracted so
much attention at the Inauguration. One of
the most impressive features was the dis
mounted and mounted officers of the army
navy, militia, and volunteers. Seldom has there
been exhibited within space SO limited so
many distinguished men, the sight of whose
well-known figures led back our thoughts to
many bloody field and many an ensanguined
sea on which the national honor had been well
and nobly maintained. The civic part of the
PROCESSION was not less striking than the mill
tary. 1t embraced the civil and municipal
officials, Congress, with John Quincy Adams
among the representatives, the temperance
eanizations schools, and fire companies of the
District
The funeral car was of large dimensions, in
form an oblong platform, on which was raised
dais, the whole covered with black velvet From
the cornice of the platform fell a black velvet
curtain outside of the wheels to within a few
inches of the ground. From the corners of the
car a black Grape festoon was formed on all sides,
looped in the center by funereal wreath, On
the coffin lay the sword of justice and the sword
of state, surmounted by the scroll of the Con-
stitution, bound together by a funeral
press The car was drawn by six white
horses having at the head of each col
ored groom, dressed in white, with white turban
and sash, and supported by pall-bearers in
black. The effect was very fine The contrast
of this slowly moving body Of white and black
SO opposite to the strong coloIs of the military
around it, struck the eye even from the greatest
distance and gave chilling warning before
hand that the corpse was drawing nigh.
The entire procession occupied two full miles
in length, and was marshaled on its way by off
GERS on horseback, carrying white batons with
black tassels The utmost order prevailed
throughout, and, considering the very great
concourse of people collected, the silence pre-
served during the whole course of the march
was very impressive.
When the right of the procession had reached
tho Congressional cemetery the military halted,
and, wheeling into line, presented arms as the
funeral-car passed by. At the entrance to the
cemetery the coffin was taken from the car and
placed on the shoulders of the bearers. who car
ried it to the receiving vault, preceded by the
Rev. Mr. Hawley, reciting the solemn funeral
service of the Episcopal liturgy. The procession
advanced down the principal avenue of the ceme-
terry until it reached the receiving vault where
space had been keptopen by sentries under arms,
and where, hollow square being formed, the
coffin was lowered into the vault. A signal be-
ing given to the troops outside, the battalion of
light artillery. who were placed on an adjoining
eminence, fired a salute, which was Immediately
followed by the several military bodies in line,
who commenced firing from the left to the right,
and continued the salute until it had thrice gone
up the whole line. The procession then re-
sumed its march, and returned by the same
route to the city, where the troops were dis
missed, and the citizens retired to their several
abodes.