The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-03
THE PACIFIC COAST AsroNIsHED.
The Extraordinary Display Over the Death
of Young Leland Stanford.

OF Young Leland Stanford.
San Francisco Letter.
The magnifcence of the Stanfords' grief over
the death of their son Leland, jr., has never
been equaled on this coast The performances
of the family and their friends are the theme Of
talk in every circle. The great wealth of the
Stanfords has attracted to them in this hour of
affection all the toadies west OF the Rocky
Mountains and some from the East Their grief
has not been permitted to slumber for an in
slant Somebody who has had an ak to grind
has been ever at hand with sonnet, an ode, a
dirge, song, sermon, or an Grafton. Silly
women who never saw the lad, have written and
called TO testify to the family the esteem in
which they held the boy and to dilate upon his
qualities. Portrait painters monument builders
dealers in memorial windows writers and poets
preachers and politicians, photographers, boys
who hypocrltlcaly pretend to have been I'M
pressed by young Stanford's life, and scores OF
others, have made money out OF the family Woe
Leland Stanford jr., was an amiable boy, not
particularly smart or handsome, whose death
was noticeable because of his prospective earthly
riches and the natural sorrow of his parents
The boy was never strong, and during the
greater part of his life was under the tutorshlp
of a maid. While in Rome last March he died,
and as soon as his parents could get to him.
elaborate public services we're held in that city
Enormous crowds attended, because it became
noised about that an American Cresus was IN
affilctlon. Proceeding across the continent and
Channel to England, further services were held
in Liverpool before sailing for America, and
once In New York the remains were laid IT a
vault for several months, until preparations were
complete for their interment here. While tarry-
ing in the metropolis monthly services were held
over the remains. On the journey across the
continent special train was used, and the cars
and locomotive were almost buried in Grape.
AS soon after their arrival here AS possible,
the train was sent on to SanfordS country seat
at Menlo Park, where magnificent vault had
been erected, into which the remains were put
80 10
entirely of stone and IRON It's interior is as
magnificent Oriental palace. The walls
are entirely covered with purple velvet en-
bossed with god and the draperies are rich be-
yond description, consisting of the costliest
fabrics and the heaviest bullion. The vault is
connected with the mansion and the servants
quarters by electric wires, and one or more armed
watchmen are continually on guard in front Of
its ponderous gates
But the performance which has made the most
talk and subjected the afflicted family to the
most criticism is that which took place in Grace
Episcopal Church under the guise of funeral
services. at which the Rev. j. p. Newman. re-
Gently of New York was the principal speaker
The services were thoroughly advertised all
through the city, and naturally enough the
crowd that assembled at the church was much
larger than could get within the ediice. The
floral decorations We're of the most gorgeous
description. The chancel was converted into
q floral chapel, and all through the church
there were elaborate pieces made of the costliest
flowers to be had in America. Not less than
$4,000 was expended for flowers for this occa-
sion alone.
Dr. Newman made long address, intended
principally to fatter the parents, which sounded
like the rhapsodies of court chaplain over the
remains of departed prince. Newman COM
pared young Stanford to all the great of the
earth, and then, as if weary of the effort to find
a fitting prototype for him among human beings,
he boldly declared that the boy was some sort of
reproduction of Jesus Christ The Pacific
coasters stood all the other things connected with
this extraordinary funeral. but Newmans fiat
blasphemy has caused their gorge to rise, and
he is receiving sharp criticism and vehement
denunciation all sides. His address is now
in circulation here as curiosity. and it is
everywhere pronounced the most fulsome
ever delivered in the Western hemishere. No
funeral Grafton over Washington. Jefferson,
Adams or Lincoln contains a 1.-THE of the
praise lavished upon this poor boy, whose
only achievement was to die. Newman found
that he had the wisdom and philosophy of a
Bacon. the keen foresight and penetration of a
Richelieu, the beauty of Apollo Belvidere, the
artistic taste of Michael Angelo, the eye of an
angel, the forehead of god, the mental promise
of a Hamilton, the eloquence of Pitt, the
philanthropy of Peabody, the tenderness of %
Pascal and the studiousnesS of a Gibbon: and
he predicted that for generations to come the
youth of the country, recognizing in Leland
Stanford jr., savior would visit his tomb for
inspiration, and that his example would be as a
U6dCOu ll1QU TO all the UaIlOnS. Inc suggestion
that young Stanford had been a savior to the
young manhood of the world was not explained
by Mr.. Newman, but it seemed to remind him of
another point of similarity between the dead
Californian and the victim of Calvary Like
our dear Leland" said the impious Newman
''the Savior also died young" 1t is said around
town that General Grants old pastor received
$l0 900 for this precious discourse
A discussion growing out of the funeral serv-
ice, aud which promises to be heard from again,
is that caused by the Episcopal clergymen in
other parts Of the coast over the fact that New
man. a Methodist preacher, occupied the pulpit
of Grace Church i'll violation of the rubric The
bishop of the diocese was present at the service,
thus giving countenance to the proceeding, and
the rector of the church, of which Stanford is
one of the wardens, says no objection can be
found to Newmans presence as he took no part
in the services of the church. He was present
simply as a friend of the family, and made his
remarks as any layman might have done. The
rector says he does not expect to hear any
further objection. Among the conservative
members of the church. however, there is dis
position to find fault with Newman's invasion of
the Epscopalian pulpit
The services just held here were the fifth cele-
brated over the remains. 1t is the intention of
the family to have a grand memorial service
next March, on the anniversary of the lads
death, and thereafter the day will be commem-
Grated each year. Mr.. Stanford already has sew
eral benevolent projects foot which will be
carried out in the name of his son, and Mrs
Stanford has given literally to many charitable
institutions in bis name.