National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-02-20
AN IMPOSING FUNERAL.
The Last Rites over the Mortal Remains
OF the Late DIR. Charles NJ. Ford.

The Last Rites over the Mortal Remains
or the Late DIR. Charles NJ. Ford.
The funeral of the late DIR. G. NJ Ford took
place at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon from
the Church of the Reformation on Capital
hill. By noon business had been practically
suspended and East Washington wore a
holiday appearance. Merchants left their
stores, and old citizens stood about in groups
reciting anecdotes and "reminiscences of the
dead physician, whose genial disposition and
blunt kindness left an army of friends and
not one enemy. The large number of
school children, boys and girls, who
congregated in the vicinity of DIR.
Fords late residence attracted much
attention. One little fellow, with his school
bag across his back, remarked to crowd of
boys: 81 played truants to day, caz wanted
ter see DIR. Ford buried The doctor was os-
peeially fond Of children, and during the
sleighing season it was frequent occurrence
to see his sleigh blowing along the avenue
frcightcd with laughing, gleeful little ones
while his jolly laughter sounded above all.
Tho sidewalks along Pennsylvania avenue,
between Second and Third streets, where the
family residence is situated was lined by at
least 1000 people. The large number of
private carriages and hacks that attended tho
funeral rendered it necessary to form them
in double tilc, and even then the cortege was
one of the longest ever seen in East Washing
ton. Hundreds Of people viewed the remains
between and 2 o'clock, including prominent
physicians and military representatives.
The funeral was attended by Columbia
commandery, No. Q, Knights Templar ST.
Johns lodge. No. IL, +. A. A. NJ; Lafayette
chapter No. s. Royal Arch Mnsons and rep
resentatives of the District Medical society
The arrangements were in the hands Of Mr..
Joseph @. Lee, and the remains were incased
in handsome black cloth caslSet, containing
Masonic emblems and handsomely inscribed
plate.
The church was densely crowded long
before o'clock, and vast crowd surrounded
the building. After an opening prayer by
Rev. w. 4. Parson, the Masonic choir sang,
with solemn effect, HE Sleepeth." Eulogies
were then delivered by Rev. DIR. Parson and
Rev. w. NJ. Ingersol, of tho Metropolitan Bap-
fist church. They spoke Of DR.. Ford's many
noble and sterling qualities which made him
sunbeam in the sick chamber. This vast
concourse of people paying their last tribute
to the deceased" said one of the reverend
gentlemen, lis an evidence how the man was
appreciated among his fellow beings" After
several renditions by the Masonic choir, the
solemn burial service of the knights Tempar
was performed. Eight sir knights, with
swords crossed above tho casket, repeated
their impressive service accompanied by sub
dued music. Rev. A. Floridus Steele, prelate
of Columbia commandcry, of which deceased
was member, closed the service with few
eloquent remarks.
The floral tributes were beautiful and
varied. Pure white lilies and purple i'm
mortelles blended, with pale tea roses in "the
gates ajar," crosses, wreaths, pillows, and
other designs. So numerous were these per-
fumed and beautiful offerings that n wagon
was summoned to convey them to the ceme-
terry.
At the grave in Congressional Burying
ground the blue lodge" performed its last
rites over the departed brother, and all that
is mortal of one of natures true noblemen
was laid away to rest.