The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-30

scene In the corridors is one Of real grandeur.
1t was ten minutes after IL o'clock when the
casket was placed in position in the catafalque
by the escort, and tie floral decorations, which
were already prepared. were quickly arranged,
under the supervision of Mrs. John A. Holman
and Mrs j. w. Dodd. The Indianapolis Light
Infantry, detailed for guard duty about the
catafalque until o'clock in the evening took
up position, and sentinels were stationed at the
head and foot of the casket, while others paced,
with measured tread, at their posts in the cor
ridor.
The friends and citizens who composed the
escort were permitted to view the mortal re-
mains of the Vice president, as they appeared
while lying in state, before the doors Of the
building were thrown open to the throng
gathered outside.
Only the head and bust of the dead statesman
were visible. The body was attired in
evening dress, and gold studs were in
was natural, and the only discoloration
noticeable was slight tinge below the eyes,
The right arm rested gracefully across his breast
with the left lying by his side resting his
body. The deathly palor alone gave to the re-
mains the appearance of lifelessness.
The doors of the east entrance of the court
house were opened to the crowd waiting in the
street for an opportunity to view the dead
statesmans remains at fifteen minutes before IL
o'clock. AS the two columns of people began to
file through the United States military band rem
dered Breyes mournful Reverence" An un-
broken stream of humanity flowed through
tha xuho nf fha
afternoon, hastily viewing the face of the
dead statesman as they passed In this endless
procession were persons of all ages and both
sexes-fathers leading their children, whom they
lifted in their arms to allow them to view the
face OF the great man. still in DEATH None were
allowed to linger for more than hurried glance
If any hesitated for an instant the column was
brought to a stand still. The crowd that hung
about the east entrance did not seem to diminish
by the continual flow from the ranks, and from
the west entrance there poured a
stream of people that appeared to
be inexhaustible in numbers. All the
streets in the central part of the city were
crowded with moving mass during the whole
of the afternoon and until long after dark. Dur
ing the first five minutes after the doors of the
there were, by actual count, 331 persons
who passed through the catafalque Within
half an hour the number was increased to $50,
and it is estimated that the average number who
viewed the remains between l and o'clock was
seventy minute. There were doubtless no less
than 10000 persons in the two col
umns that passed through the catafalque during
the day and night. At 2 o'clock the Manner
chor Society were admitted to the corridor and
sang number Of selections appropriate to the
solemnity of the occasion.
A message was sent to Mrs Hendricks dur
ing the afternoon informing her that if
she Nessred to view the remains of
her husband as they appeared lying in
State she could be afforded an opportunity of
doing 80 without any spectators being present.
She avaled herself of this offer, and, accom-
panied by Judge and Mrs. Holman, Mrs Victor
Hendricks, Harry Morgan, her nephew,
and State Auditor Rice, was driven to
the court house last night at fifteen
minutes before o'clock The doors were closed
against the public, and all persons inside the
building, including the sentinels and officers in
charge of the remains, withdrew for the pur
pose of giving the widow an opportunity to view
her husbands remains alone. She re-
mained for several minutes, and upon
retiring expressed herself as we'll pleased
with the arrangements which had been made,
and the manner in which they had been exc
cuted After her departure the doors of the
building were again opened to the public,
and visitors continued passing through
the building until IL o'clock, although the
number began to diminish considerably after
o'clock The doors were closed at III o'clock for
the night and the sentnels alone were left at
the catafalque The remains will lie in state
until this evening a o'clock, when they will be
removed to the residence