The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-20
FUNERAL OF WALKER BLAINE.
The Services Simple But Effective
The Attendance Very Large.

me SERVICES simple But Effective
The Attendance Very Large.
WASHINGTON, January 1s.-The funeral
of the late Walker Blaine took place this
| morning and was more largely attended by
distinguished people than any that has been
held in Washington for a long time. A
private ceremony was held at Secretary
Blaine's residence on Lafayette Spare at
1880. The entire family was present.
Among others who were there were Presi-
dent Harrison and Mrs. Harrison, members
of the diplomatic corps and intimate friends
of the family, among whom were many well
known Maine people. The services at the
house were conducted by ReY. DR.. Hamlin,
pastor of the Church Of the Covenant. At
the conclusion Of the private ceremony the
remains were AIKEN to the Church of the
Covenant, followed by the family and
friends in carriages. The pail bearers we're:
Hon VIM. F. Wharton, Assistant Secretary
of State, Judge John Davis, Llewellyn A.
Brown. Marcellus Bailey, NJ l.. Ruth, A. p.
jerks, T. B. Loring and William Haywood.
The Secretary and Mrs Blaine appeared
deeply bereaved during the services. Mr..
Blaine though suffering terribly on account
OF the loss OF his son, does not appear to
have broken down physically. At the church
DIR. Hamlin also oificiated aud Prof. Wal
ter Damroscb, who Is engaged to Miss
Margaret Blaine, presided at the or. an. The
attendance was very large and many persons
were unable to gain an entrance.
The services were simple and brief, after
which the body was taken to Oak Hill ceme-
terry, followed by long line of carriages.
Here the services were brief but impressive.
were buried. was literally covered with
flowers piled up in the greatest profusion
around the open grave. The sun was shin
Ing brightly and the air had almost the mild
ness OF spring day as the long funeral
cortege approached. Long before the car
and others, unable to attend the services at
the church, had gathered at the eastern end
OF the cemetery and awaited the arrival of
the funeral procession. Soon the mourners
coffin was placed beside the open grave in
the presence of the family and friends. DR..
Hamlin stood at the grave and beside him
stood Secretary Blaine, who, although him.
self deeply prostrated, was able to support
was evident that It was with the greatest
difficulty that Mr. Blaine was able to control
his emotion while the children, who stood
close around, showed signs of deepest grief.
When the casket was lowered into the
ground and all that was mortal of the bright
and promising young man was laid to rest,
many gave way to tears. DR.. Hamlin read
the impressive burial services and when he
came to the words "dust to DUST" Secretary
and Mrs. Blaine turned away, unable to wit
ness the conclusion of the sad scene. The
other members Of the family remained, how
ever and when the first shovelful of earth
was thrown into the grave they all gave way
to their feelings.
The House Of Representatives did not meet
till O'Clock in order to allow the members
to attend the funeral, and the department
of justice, with which the deceased was
officially connected, was closed during the
time OF the funeral. While the departm ent
of state was not formally closed all officers
and employees who desired to attend the
funeral were permitted to do so.
Robert Blaine, brother Of Secretary
Blaine. is quite Ill with pneumonia and un-
able to attend the funeral of Walker Blaine
today.
When last year Mr.. Blaine took a lease of
the old Seward house on Lafayette Square,
the stories were revived that this was an i'll
fated dwelling, and people began to wonder
whether the reputation of the house would
be maintained after Mr., Blaine moved into
1t. 1t had been used for some years previ-
GUS as the Office of the subsistence depart
ment of the army, for no one wanted to
move intoit after Mr.. Seward left it, 1t was
there that Seward was attacked by the AS
sassin Payne and this was the last of a long
chapter of evil incidents which were chroni-
cled In the history of the house. Mr.. Blaine
moved in late ia the autumn, and had just
when his eldest son fell sick and died there.
This severest sorrow of his life must natur-
ally make the old house very sorry dwell
ling place for the Secretary of State, and it
would not be strange If he were to leave it
before great while.