The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-28


Yesterday Morning Many Beautiful
Floral Tributes.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81 [Spcciall-
The funeral services over tho remains
OF Mrs. Harrison took place at the
White House this morning. They wero
beautiful and impressive, but wero
chiefly characterized by the simplicity
which was so dear to her heart. Except
sable rosetto Of crepe at the doorway
thore was no sign of mourning about
tho exterior of tho mansion. Police
guards were stationed at the gates to
keep back the throng Of people who
gathered to tho number Of several thou
sand on the sidewalk bordering the
northern lawn. In addition about
score of blue coated watchmen were
scattered along the walks leading to
the mansion to direct tho movement OF
carriages.
These were the only visible signs OF
official formality. Inside the house all of
the doors connecting tho halls and ad-
thrown open. Near tho centre of the
East Room was the casket supported by
two pedestals, with the head to the
nor,h, and it was covered with beautiful
flowers. The great room was nearly
filed with chairs and sofas, arranged in
semi circles. It's usual aspect was
otherwise unchane cd except by the
special abundance OF It's floral decor
atoms. These consisted almost entirely
of several varieties OF palm. Beautiful
varieties filled the manitoba and the win
dow rccesses and others had been placed
at intervals along the walls of the
room, and on each side Of tho great mir
rOrS
At the head and foot,of the caskat stood
tall palms, reaching nearly half way
To the ceiling Care was eviG emily taken
to avoid every appearance OF display in
decorations, and the effect was charm
ing in its simplicity. Floral decorations
to the m emory of the dead were very
numerous and of rare beauty. Among
them wero 4 wreath of roses, orchids
and hrysanthomu ms, presented by the
British charge d. affairs in behalf of
Queen Victoria. One Of the most elab-
crate floral pieces was sent by the Society
of Daughters of the American revolution
at Washington. 1t was large wheel,
the insignia of the society, in white and
colored roses.
beginning OF tho services personal
friends OF the family began to arrive
and were shown TO seats by the ushers.
Commander Cowles and Lieutenant
Glover, of the Navy; Lieutenant Dap
ray, of tho Army, and s. D. Miller, son
of the Attorney General. 1t had been
arranged that the first row of seats at
the foot OF the oasket should be occu-
pied by the family, the next by the
most intimate friends, and the remain
der by employees and servants of the
house. The first row on the north was
assigned to the Cabinet and Private
Secretary Halford, the second to tho
Supreme Court, and the re- naming rows
to other friends without specification.
The justices of the supreme court
were all present except Justice Lamar,
who was not q BILE to attend on account
OF i'll health. just before ten o'clock
Mr.. Blaine entered, accompanied by
Mrs. Blaine and his daughter, Harriet,
and tho ex Secretary WAS seated beside
Senator Proctor, his old colleague in
the Cabinet Mr.. anI Mrs. Whitelaw
Reid entered about the Same time and
were seated in the same row. Most OF
the members Of tho diplomatic corps
were also noticed among the early ar
rivals.
At 10 o'clock tho seats were all occu-
pied and the East Room was completely
filled, many persons standing along the
walls in tho adjacent rooms and cor
ridors. In the green room adjoini ing
and opening into the East Room, were
stationed the boys of the choir of st.
Johns Episcopal Church, looking like
cherubs disguised in their white robes.
Tho re were fifteen sopranos, including
Miss Louise Moellor; five altos, includ
ing Miss Ruth Thompson four tenors,
five bass, the prcceptor, William IL.
Daniel; organist, John Theophic, and
assistant, D. b. Macleod.
Tho reason for the inclusion of this
Episcopal choral music in the simple
Presbyterian service is touching 1t
neral Of Mrs. Tracy (held in the east
room about two years ago. and Mrs.
Harrison was so much impressed by it
and SO struck by the beautiful hymn,
Lead Kindly Light" that she caused
this hymn to be sung and played at the
| White House AZ leas t once nearly every
| Sabbath. Because it was so dear to her
| the hymn WAS chosen for her funeral
service to be sung by the same sweet
| youthful voices that had first attrac ted
her attention to it.
AS the bell in the hall clock struck
the hour of ten tho honorary pail
bearers quietly entered tho east room
and were seated. They walked slowly
| Ii the following order: Vico- President
Morton and Secretary j. W. Foster,
Secretary Elkins and Attorney General
| Miller, Postmaster. General W4namaler