Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-10
THE LAST OF EARTH
FRR FUNERAL SERVICES OVER TIE REMAINS
OF DR. GgO. BAIRD.
Hundreds Take Las, Look at the Deesased-fhs
Action Of the City COuncil-Vsrdict Of
the COronsrs Jury.


Action Of the City COuncil-Verdict Of
the COrOnsr's Jury.
II any evidence had been needed to
attest the high standing OF the late DIR.
George Baird in this community and
the deep feeling OF regret aroused over
his untimely death, the omission was
abundantly supplied yesterday after
noon when, despite the extreme inclem-
ency of the day, hundreds Of people
not men alone, but women and children
a. well-StoOd for hours in the snow
and slush along Fourteenth street,
watching other hundreds a. they slowly
filed through the front door OF the
family residence 10 take last
look az the features of the departed.
All classes and conditions OF people
were,in that crOwd-the merchant, the
manufacturer, the professional man,
the mechanic and the labOrer-all
alike drawn to the spot out
of pure regard for the victim of Satur-
days tragedy. Among those paying the
silent tribute OF respect 10 the deceased,
il was common remark that, had the
day beeu fair, thousands would have
cougregated in the vicinity, while If
public funeral had been decided upon,
il would have been easily the largest in
Wheeling'S history.
The weather was as bad as IL could
well be. Rain and sleet alternated
with heavy flurrieS Of SOggy, wet snow;
\ 49, - altrlh and mIlQ
land d cold, raw wind made the long
wait most trying 10 the spectators, out
still the crowd steadily grew IN mum
beers from half past one on, until at
half past four, when the funeral cortege
set out for Mt Wood, there were about
/ 900 persons on the street between
/ Chapline and the corner OF Byron.
The doors OF the residence were
thrown open to the public shortly alter
moon. and for nearly four hours an al
most unbroken line of people MED
/ through the parlOr>. The remains, en-
closed ia a black caSket, heavily
trimmed with silver, lay in the large
I front parlor. the foot OF the comm TO
the north. Upon the caSket were q pro-
/ fusion OF flowers, while every available
spot. not only near the remains, out All
about the apartment. held floral trio-
uteS OF exquisite design, the perfume
making the air heavy. Just at the
head OF the caSket stood broken col
lumn OF white flowers. near thu foot was
Ian exquisite wreath, and other offerings
of appropriate designs were close by.
As the seemingly intermlnable line OF
people filed through the room, they
manifested, ina many instances, their
great regret, and in some cases leai
or Il flower would be quietly detached
from the mass upon the caSket ana re-
moved as memcnto of the deceased.
The dead mans features were remark
ably life-like, ShOTing no outward sign
Of the work of the bullet or OF the sur
geon's knife. and many who paused
momentarily beside the colin remarked
the absence Of any change In the iaml-
liar cOuntenahce.
About half-past three o'clock the
front door OF the residence was closed
shutting out. Of necessity, hundreds
who were still waiting 10 gain admit
lance. aud those who filled every avail
able bit of room within the edlhce were
'thus notified of the fact that the ser
vice. were about 10 commence.
Rev. DR.. y. i. Cunningham, pastor
'of the First Presbyterian Church, ac-
.companied by Rev DR., BrOwnS0n, oi
Washington, Pa, descended the stair
way and took position near the rear
.of the hall, and Or. Cunningham an
uouuced that, in compliance with tue
wishes OF the family, the services Would
Ibe very brief. being concluded with
PRAYER bv Rev. DR.. BrownSon. Rev.
Dr. Cunningham then read selection
from the Scriptures, aud the usual ser
vices for the dead. and this concluded
he said: 49,
nv words are 10 be but few. In the
first place the physicians who are brothers
i'm Che medical profession with the departed
have held a meeting and appolnted com
.mittee. which committee presented reS0lu'
lions expressive of the feelings of the med
lical profession in regard 10 him who mas
gone from US. and they also expressed theli
estimation of him as man and as puoh'
iritlLel aud in the particular OF his services
10 this community, and, therefore, 1t IS mol
necessary here 10 refer 10 these matters, a.
the details have all been published, ana
have been read
MY second remark Is this There are
rreat many hearts in this city today anu
n this community which have been Sorell
smitteu aud grieved because OF tins lates'
|,,roy-ideure of God. / have seen what dc
mot very often see: strong men weeplns
like chiidren-men who could 20 back loi
wears and recall what DIR. Baird did iol
them I'M their homes Ia days when they
were poor: when Or. Baird was called and
h, came These men are now mere 70 al
test their good will and friendship. There
lisa strong and close friendship between
the family and the physician there are ie"
to-day who have stronger friendship. ~
the medical profession, than DR.. Bard. ne
has stood in the front rank OF that probes
sion for years.
sWhv should J speak further The oo
.casion is sermon. and who could preach
such sermon as this occasion breaches
10 is not for any man or minister to preach
Lad such o time-it is for you 10 gather ou'
the lesson. and leave il FOR your consider
alton.
NV last thought is.this: We gather here
to-day. As ueighbOrs and citizens ano
friends. 10 commend this dear family and
this host Of relatives and trlends 10 INT
God OF Comfort Who can comfort them
a. he can, He has left record IN TINS
blessed Book Of his for such needs, and
isasion like this Therefore, we commend
the wife a2d children TO the God OF al
needs. To minister TO ther great grlef and
sive them such consolation Us tie alone car
render
"Our hearts are smitten, and human
hearts ALWAYS respond on such an occasion
mo- matter how great the calamity.
"Niv last word is this, TO all men aud L
AN of US here Be We also ready, Tor IL
such au hour as We know not the son OF
Man cometh None Of US know the time
when we NAV be called from here to eter
nty"
AT the conclusion Of DR.. Cunning
hams remarks, Rev, DR.. BrownSon Of
fered up a fervent prayer and then Dr.
Cunningham said the services would be
lconcluded at the cemetery, the fun
ieral being private, at the request OF the
family. nr. RroWnSon pronounced the
benediction, and then Whilc the friend:
INSIDE the residence slowly iled ont, the
family and relatives took a last look at
the features OF the deceased and the
coffin was closed and born Il
the waiting hearse by the pall-bearerS,
IDrs. j. A. Campbell, ". j, Bates, T.. 4.
Hildreth. l.. ID. Wilson, A. +. stifel ;.
3D. Reed. J. Z. Burnie and c. NJ. FriS.
well. Among those who tllled the
space i'm front of the residence nj the
time were a dozen or more physicians,
as many attorneys, six or seven minis
ters of various denominations, aud a
number Of strangers brought TO the city
.by the sad event among them being:
In A. Acheson. Alex. Wilson. j. w.
Waugh. j. k Mitchell Alex. Hast. \.
Todd. c. r. AcheSou and !. G. Jones, OF
Washington, Pa. and d. l.. Watson, ci