Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-08
LYING IN STATE.
a Last Act of Affection-The Route TO the
City Hall--The Casket

City Hall--The Casket.
fBy telegraph to tho Dispatch.l
NEW ORLEANS. December Three weeks
ago, in the midst Of cold rain-storm. on
one of the drearlest mornings OF the year.
jefferson Davis was carried from the
steamer feathers to the Payne mansion.
Last night about Ills o'clock all that was
mortal of jefferson Davis was carried from
the Payne mansion to the City Hall IN
hearse.
IL was q weird and solemn scene at 1876,
hearing the low rumbling of the wheels in
the street. The afflicted widow Of the
great statesman took the last farewell OF
his ashes. One kiss was imprinted on the
pale cold lips, and then she turned sorrow
fully away TO the solitude OF her own apart
ment.
The door had scarcely closed behind her
when the undertaken entered the main hall.
The hearse and two carriages were waiting
at the door. First the magnificent floral
offerings were transferred to the carriages,
and then the casket WAS carried to the
hearse bv the following friends of the eX-
President: T.. r.. Farrar. Judge {. II. Fen
ner, i. B. kruttschmltt, j. II: Payne Ii.
W. Foster, and James Richards. Officers
John Teen and l.. ). Seblsa served as police
escort.
The gentlemen named entered the car
riares and the hearsc moved slowly out
First street. the carriages dropping INTO
If. wake. Tho full moon, standing almost
directly to the zenith shed a soft, yellow
ish light through the vale OF mystic clouds
that were sweeping up the river ana
drenchiug the foliage OF the spreading
magnolas on either side Of the street.
Great drops of water hung like crystals
| from the points of the dropping leaves and
now and then dropped upon the damp
pavement, az though the trees "grlevlng,
| II aught inanimate e'er grleyes," We're
dropping tears of sympathy as the sad lit
| tie cOrt6Ge passed.
! The route taken was out First street TO
| st. Charles and down st. Charles 10 the
/ CITY Hall. where the remains OF Mr.. DAVIS
/ will lie in state until next Wednesday. BY
I the time the hearse reached the City Hall
/ the Council chamber and lObbieS and cOru-
/ doris of the building were crowded with
/ citizens. The Council chamber was
quickly cleared and the way opened for the
/ admission Of the body. The hall was
| heavily drnped in black, which was re-
/ lieyed with the red, white, and blue OF the
| Stars and Stripes. There were also rich
| floral decorations everywhere beside the
crossed swords and other military devices.
At the head Of the hall hung q portrait OF
the dead chieftain richly festOOned with
crane, through which spnrkled mean
descent sparks like tiny stIs. The cata-
falque was drapod in plain black. The
! coffin was covered with black plush. edged
with broad black braid. The handles along
! the sides consisted of n single square bar
of silver on either side and across each was
a short bar OF gold. The top of the casket
| is covered with one sheet of heavy French
plate-glass, which extends its entire length
and rests on q thick copper lining. The
interior of the casket Is lined with white
! satin. and beneath it upon the catatalque
D 10 81. u AT black
The body was carried to the catatalque by
the same gentlemen who placed 1t III the
hearse.
The remains OF Jefferson Davis are living
in state in the Council chamber at the City
| Hall. The coffin rests upon cataialque,
and is devoid of much commentator.
The casket has a silver plate upon which
is the simple inscription:
JEFFERSOy DAVIS
1t Rest,
with the date of his death added.
Badges of Confederate associations. the
fac the Washington Artillery carried
through the war, and a bunch OF wheat
and pair of crossed Spanish daggers, as
the plant is termed, fastened together with
purple ribbon, are the only other orna-
ments. The desks of the Mayor and clerks
have been covered over and turned into a
!
floral offerings. The room IS darkened
and lit up by clusters Of electric lights, the
brllliancy being dimmed BY the sable dra-
Dery. Soldiers in uniform stand guard
stacks of arms and cannon fill the corners
of the chamber. and all around the walls
are rows of plants and shrubbery, forming
"a beautiful contrast.
Since early morning the people have been
, pouring IN TO obtain last look mt the
4 4 70 oil
visitors are filed through the room IN regu'
lar column. All classes are represented II
the procession by the bier. The number
of colore1 people Is marked. The mourning
/ il general and every place or prominence
in the city has put on black. A noteworthy
event this morning was telegram sent 10y
Mayor Shakespeare TO Secretary-of- VA
Proctor officially notifying nm OF the dea az
Of ex-Seeretary Davis and the date OF the
funeral.
Governor Ross and Ex-Governor Lub
book. of Texas, and many other southern
Executives will be here TO attend th'
funeral. The Houston Light Guards, Mo
bile military, and other southern compa
MES will participate. A number OF lodge
of Uniformed Rank Knights OF Pythia'
have also asked for places in the parade;
The column of people by the bier to-day
numbered over 1900 an hour.
TEMPORARY RBsTISG-PLAcE.
The Army Of Northern Virginia tomb il
Metaire cemetery was chosen as the tempo
rary resting-place by lot. The tomb IS sur
mounted by statue Of Stonewall Jack
son which Mr.. Davis assisted IN dedicatlng
THE RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
Bishop Gallagher, of the Protestan
Episcopal Church, has been placed II
charge of the religious services of the fu
neral. Bishop Hugh Miller Thompson, o
Mississippi, will assist him, and Rev. Ebe
nezer Thompson, of Biloxi. Miss. who wa
Mr.. Davis's pastor, will also take promi
nent part.
orrEss TO RREcr MONUMENTS.
, vickshurg and Montgomery hare ofure'