The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-19
OBSEQUIES OF Mr.. COLFAX.
The Extraordinarily Severe Storm Some
what Interfered with the Ceremony,
But an Immense COncourse of People Present
General Manifestations of Sorrow 81
The Funeral Discourse
Special to the indianapolis. Journal.

ooo0qUtoS over the remains or the late hon.
Schuyler Colfax this afternoon. But for the Sc
verify of the storm that had prevailed for TWEEN
ty-tour or thirty hours, the funeral would have
oeen the largest ever seen in northern Indiana.
AS it was. the entire city of South Bend sus-
pended all business, and was draped in the ha.
bliments OF mourning, all the people participating
in the expression of respect and love for the
honored dead, in which they were Joined by
large numbers from abroad who were able to
pillow their way through the snow drifts that
practically laid an embargo upon travel. The
drifts piled high on streets and sidewalks, max
ing an almost impossible barrier for pedestrians
and vehicles All efforts to subdue these drifts
were but moderately successful At least two
feet of snow fell, and the mercury, which was
eleven degrees above zero in the morning, fell to
three degrees below in the afternoon,
The train from the south bearing the Indian
apolis delegation embracing -president-elect
Hendricks, Ex-Governor Porter, Governor Gray,
General Manson, Hon. w. III. Calkins, and
others, to the number of thirteen, was expected
to arrive at about 3 o'clock, at which hour the
Chicago train did pull into the depot with Judge
Gresham, Hon. VIM. Bross, and others of Mr..
Colfax's old friends, and the services were post
poned until quarter past 3, the conclusion
not being reached until half past 5 o'clock. 1t
was in the dusk of the fading day, with the earth
deeply covered with its wintry mantle and the
winter winds blowing keenly, when the remains
of the dead statesman were committed to the vault
in the family lot in the cemetery, about three
quarters of mile from the city.
At o'clock in the morEing the doors of the
family residence were thrown open to give all
who wished an opportunity to look upon the face
of the distinguished dead The casket contain
ing the remains rested near the bay window Of
the east paror, with the head toward the library,
the room in which Mr. Colfax usually sat, where
he did all his work and wrote his voluminous
correspondence. His desk, with its accumula-
ton of papers, arranged with the system for
which he was distinguished remained just as twas
when he left it in the seeming flush of health the
previous Monday morning The folding doors
between the parlor and library were thrown
open. The spectators coming into the hall en-
tered the parlor door, and passing by the casket,
went into the library, thence into the hall again.
and made their exit by the same door they en-
tered. From o'clock till noon an immense con-
course of people of both sexes and all ages
thronged the streets and the house, at which
hour the residence was closed to all but the
family aud Mr.. Colfaxs intimate friends.
At 3 o'clock the casket was borne from the
house to the Dutch Reformed Church, by the
pail bearers Messrs James Oliver, Glenn Ssude-
baker and Joshua d. Miller, of this city; Hon.
Mark McClelland, of Valparaiso; Mr.. 7. P.
Haughey of Indianapolis and Thomas Under
wood, of Chicago. 1t had been arranged that
Hons. Thomas A. Hendricks, A. G. Porter,
Isaac P. Gray, w. Q. Gresham, J. E. Mcdonald
and w. Fl. Calkns should precede the body as
honorary pail -bearers, but this was rendered inn
possible by the non arrival of the Indianapolis
train, which was painfully laboring its way
through the immense snow-drifts in almost the
imm ediate vicinity of South Bend. In the
audience-room of the church the emblems Of
mourning were many and appropriate. The
walls and gallery were hung with Grape in grace
full disposition but not 80 profuse as to mar the
effect. Other parts of the interior of the build
ing were festooned in black. A conspic-
uous object was the Colfax pow, which
he and his family had occupied for so
many years. 1t was vacant now, and sombre
with Grape along front and back rails, and q
draped arch kept guard at its entrance. at the
Presbyterian Church, whore memorial service
was held at the same hour of the service in the
Reformed Church, there was an abundance Of
black draping appropriately displayed. AS has
been stated, the business of the city entirely
suspended, and all business houses the public
offices and postofice closed during the hours Of
the service Along the route of procession from
the church to the cemetery, and on the public
buildings, there was heavy drapery. The Hall
of South Bend Lodge No. 90, /. o. o. F., showed
profusion of black. From the center of the CELL
ing above the huge chandelier, four wide
lengths of black cloth swept in grace
full curves to the four corners OF the
ball The canopy over the chair of the noble
grand was hung with pleatngs of black Grape and
hung with black cloth. In the center Of the
canopy was large picture of Mr.. Colfax, seated
in a chair The frame was wrapped in black.
The space on the wall above the chairs of the
different officers was draped, and frieze of wide
black cloth ran entirely around the room. The
chandelier and the candelabra were trimmed with
Grape, and the displayed emblems of the order
placed in mourning. All the local lodges of Odd
fellows united in the service.
The body had been changed from the casket In
which it was brought from Mankato and laid in
one covered with black broadcloth, with black
satin panel divisions and ornaments. There were
eight handles Of oxidized silver and black satin,
exact duplicates Of those used on Presi-
dent Garfeld's casket. There were three Of
these on each side and one at each end. There
was no name, plate or other ornament Every
thing was simple but elegant The interior was
lined with white satin, laid in pleats and puffs,
and the head reclned on white satin pillow
The body was dressed in black and the we'll
known grayish chin beard almost hid the neat
turn-down collar and black tie. On the casket
laid the regalia and equipments of the deceased
aud an American flag fell from it in graceful
folds. Following the hearse was long line OF
carriages and the sidewalks between the house