Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-02

organizations, including fre companies with
their steamers heavily draped.
The column took up its line of march st
~ ~ r. M, but its progress was retarded in
the business district, owing to the blockadinp
crowds, which outnum6ered the moving col.
umn. 1t proceeded slowly through the great
masses of people in Washington street. The
military organizations attempted to march
win their company front, but we're repeated
y compelled to break into column of
fours. and move by the flank. Carriages
were driven three abreast.
The movement was very slow. the hand.
PLAYING dirges, making progress at times
almost impercepdble, until the column
emerged on Meridian street-s handsome
street leading to the entrance to Crown Hill
cemetery. The cortege moved on by hand
some houses Of the wealthy, whose windows
were niied with great throngs. The broad
thoroughfare stretched out into the country
beyond the limit of the city, and when the
head Of the column came within sight of the
cemetery. a mile distant, the indianapolis
Light Artillery began to fire minute guns.
which was continued till the hearse reached
the grave. The
Scene at the Grave
was impressive. There was no specisl 70.
straint upon admittance to the cemetery, and
several hundred persons had gathered about
the grave before the funeral party arrived.
The body Of the procession had disbanded
after passing beyond the city limits and only
the military with mounted escort ente-ed the
cemetery. just before the head of the col
umn came up the crowd was pushed back to
give ample room to the friends who were
assigned to the side of the grave from whence
the column approached.
Mrs. Hendricks, leaning upon the arm Of
Mr.. Morgan. stepped upon the mating placed
alongside the grave, and before the casket
was removed from the hearse she paused TO
look down into the last resting place of her
dead, only TO see picture of loveliness in its
inning OF green leaves and flowers. Then she
turned to the grave Of her child, which had
been made glorious with the covering of
smilax and flowers. Her glance next fell up-
on the monument, with the drapery of the
national flag enveloping the lite-like portrait
OF her husband facing the grave, and she
turned with the bravery of heroism to witness
the last rites.
There had been no rainfall for brief
period, but the sky was lowering. Just AZ
the coffin was placed beside the grave there
was slight sprinkling of rain. The Colum-
bus barracks band at this point PLAYED the
American hymn, and reading of the service
followed. The Congressional committee.
members of the cabinet, and other distin-
guished visitors stood upon the other side of
the grave. The words of the clergy were
now and then drowned by the sound of min
ute guns which kept firing till after the in
terment was oyer. When the coffin had been
lowered into the vault by four colored assist
ants OF the undertaken, and there was nothing
remaining to be done, for the placing of the
stone and filling of the grave were to be at
tended to by the cemetery force, there was
moments pause which was broken only by
the minute gun. Then Mrs. Hendricks and
friends OF the family passed by the open grave
and took their carriages. People who had
waited so respectfully then flocked to the
grave to get nearer view. The military
order forward aIch," started the soldiers
homeward. The carriages rapidly rolled
away and the distinguished dead was left
alone.
Members of the Cabinet left on their spec
ial train over the Boston & Ohio road to re-
turn to Washington at 6 o'clock, departing
almost Immediately upon their return from
the cemetery. The Senate and House com
mittees, accompanied by the supreme court
justices, left at the same hour over the Penn
sylvania road. Special trains left this city
over all the roads early in the evening, car
rying away greater portion Of the visitors.
Close railway estimates show that 30, 900 ar
rived in the city within II hours preceding
the funeral. The fear of President Cleve-
land to attend the obsequies, was the subject
of comment among those attending from
abroad, and the impression appears to have
gained ground that he might possibly attend,
Notwithstanding the published announcement
that ne would not be able to do SO. There
was a rumor that he had actually accompa-
MED the cabinet ministers, which found its
way into print, but it was found to be with
no possible foundation.
In the line of the procession, decorum was
one of the striking features of the days hap
penings. When the arrangements for inter-
ment were being effected it was suggested
that military guard should be placed over
the tomb, at least for time. The directors
of the cemetery declared that this would be
needless as their watchmen were efficient
against possible vandalism. This view was
taken by the family and
especial Guard
was placed over the grave.
The death of Vice President Hendricks
leaves his widow in one sense entirely alone,
so far as the possession and keeping up of
their homestead in this city is involved. 1t
is presumed. however, that she will for
time make her home with the family of s.
M. Morgan, her brother, who is a resident
here and who has been close to her in her
present bereavement.
Col. Jno. NJ. Wilson, who had charge of
the United States senatorial party, brought
with him from Washington not only gift of
flowers from Miss Cleveland, but also an au-
tograph letter from the President to Mrs.
Hendricks. This letter, Mrs. Hendricks says,
was one purely of personal coincidence and
sympathy and not one that she would care to
give out for publication.