The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-06
Followed to the Cemetery by a Long Procession
of Mourning Friends-The Caskets Almost
Hidden by Emblematic Flowers.
Efforts of President and Mrs. Harrison
to Console the Stricken Secretary.
Favorable Report on q Bill to Regulate Tele-
graph Companies-The Colorado Senator
ship-Proceedings of Congress.
CENEs
Incidents Connected with the Death OF Secrs
tary Tracy's Wife and Daughter.

incidents Connected with the Dentn OK Secro-
tary Tracy's Wife and Daughter.
Special to the Indianapolis Journs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-President and Mrs.
Harrison rave won the admiration of every
man, woman and child in Washington by
their loving attentions and sympathies for
Secretaries Blaine and Tracy in the latters
Affections Of late-a brother and sister to
these grief-stricken families nave the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harrison been. Among the
very first persons to call upon Secretary
Blaine when his son Walker died was the
President. He extended all of that
solace which a brother would ex-
tend 10 q brother OF a father
would have for a grief-stricken SOD. The
moment the President heard of the horror
at the residence of Secretary Tracy. on
Monday morning. he was almost overcome
with grief, and Immediately went to the
side of the Secretary of the Navy. A
stranger seeing the President take General
Tracy in his arms. as it were. and, after ad-
ministering to physical need offer him
mental consolation, he would have re-
garded him a brother, not a superior ex-
ecutive officer. The President wept
like a child at times; but he is
a strong nal in every way.
and he summoned all the courage
he possessed for the trial. With unusual
tact and geutleness the President broke the
news to Secretary Tracy of the awful death
of Mrs. Tracy and the daughter.
Mrs. Harrison. during all these trying
scenes. was contriving to do her part to
have the burdens fall as lightly as possible
unon tho affiliated Sha diraarad sarvonto
and messages where death was, and with
her gentleness made many suggestions, and
did many things which an affectionate and
sympathetic woman can Go as no one can.
She went wherever it was proper.
and when General Tracy began to
recover from his shock, she insisted,
with the President, that he be removed to
the White House, where he would receive
the same care that would be given to one
of her immediate family.
The doors of the White House opened for
the reception OF the remains of the dead
from the Tracy fire, the same as did the
heart of the Presidents family to sympa-
thize and help. For two days and nights
public business at the executive mansion
has been practically suspended. The mis-
AOltuuC VI LILO 1duully VI GCClCtdll lIdCl
has been made that of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harrison. At the funeral
services to-day the distress which death
has wrought upon two of the administra
tons families could be discerned in thu
lines of the Presidents face. 1t has been 81
thorough test of the manhood and woman
hood OF the White House family, such as
has never been made of any who rave oc-
cupied that mansion before. But it has
only served to bring out the good qualities
which were within. President Harrison
has evinced a vein OF sympathetic manhood
and fellowship which has won to him all
who have given his position and actions
even a slight consideration.
Since the funeral the Secretary has
9nieted down a great deal. His son
the sH White "j House se"' for ana a daY I IonSer at
least. The doctors fear that the next
day or two may prove bad ones for the Sec
rotary, for within three days bronchitis
will develop, If it comes and they fear the
exposed will cause some such trouble. His
lungs are still weak. but the careful nurs-
ing he is now having may prevent any ILL
ness. The doctors did not think 10 advis.
able for the Secretary to leave his room to-
funeral services, and claims that he is all
right again. Secretary Tracy will remain
at the White House for some days yet.
Burial of Mrs. and Miss Tracy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The beautiful his
toric East Room of the executive mansion.
the scene of so many varied spectacles of
brilliant ceremony or social gayety. wa to-
day devoted TO the sadly contrasted and
solemnly impressive purpose of a funeral.
Very seldom has any similar scene been
witnessed at the White House. and never,
since 1866, when the remains of the lamented
Lincoln reposed amid the same surround.
ings.
The services over the remains of the wife
and daughter of the Secretary of the Navy
were appointed for ii o'clock, but long be-
fore that hour the East Room was crowded
with people, DESTROYS of paying their last
tribute to their departed riends. 1t was a
most distinguished gathering and included
nearly everybody OF prominence in WASH
ington. Arrangements had been made for
seating $50 persons, but over five hundred
managed to gain an entrance. All
the doorways leading TO the East
Room were also thrOnged with peo-
pie. and it is estimated that there
were nearly a thousand persons in the
house. As far as possible admission was
confined to the personal and official friends
of Secretary Tracy, and consequently very
few strangers were present.. a great crowd
gathered outside, however. and watched
the carriages as they droveinto the grounds.
1t was found necessary to station police
men at the gates 10 keep out the crowd.
The caskets containing the dead were
placed side by side under the central chan
delier and directly opposite the main cor
ridOr. They were distinguished only by
the greater size of the one containing tho
body of Mrs. Tracy. A large sage palm,
with graceful spreading branches, was
placed between them at the foot. The SOM
Der drapings of the caskets were almost
entirely concealed by beautiful designs of
. emblematic fiowers-white roses, camellias,
hyacInths and lilies of the valley. Gar
lands and wreaths were also banked against
the sides of each casket. These floral trib-
butes were sent by Secretary aud Mrs.
Blaine. the German minister. Senator STAN
ford. Senator Hale. Vice-president and Mrs.
Morton. Secretary aud Mrs. Window.
Mr.. James c.. Bergen. Mr.. John
X. McCue. Admiral Porter. Mrs.
John Lee Carroll. Mrs. II. G.. White, the
British minister. Representative Hit,
Judge Bancroft Davis. Paymaster-generai
Fulton, Representative Lodge aud Mr..
Henry w. Raymond. One particularly
beautiful one was placed on Miss Tracyis
casket by her young friends. the Misses
Proctor. Miller. Wanamaker and Rusk, and
the Misses Window.
The seats were arranged on three sides
II H.