The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1892-10-28
Funeral Services Held Over the Re.
mains Of Nrs. Harrison at the
White House.
They We're Of the Simplest Character,
and Lasted Only Forty
Minutes.
Beautiful Floral Offerings -- Funeral
Train Immediately Starts for
Indianapolis.


ices over the remains of Mrs. Harrison
previous to their removal to Indian
apclis for interrnent, were held in the
East room OF the White House at IN
\ o'clock. They were brief and simple, in
accordance with the wishes of the presi-
dent and family, often expressed, that
there be no ATTEMPT at display. An
hour before the services began the
: caskei was brought down staiis from
the room in which Mrs. Harrison died
and placed in the center of the room.
directly underneath the middle chande-
iier. The body lay with the head to the
south. AT the other end of the casket
stood an in,medse sago palm, whose
branches reached nearly to the ceiling
OF the magnificent apartment. When
the decrs were thrown open to admit
the first arrivals the scsns was
strikingly beautiful. The chandeliers
cast a food of mellow light,
the windows having been dark
ened. The several mantlepieces
were banked with ferns, and fianked at
each end by larger palm. Around the
caaket were grouped the great wealth of
floral offerings, through which friends
of Mrs. Harrison, present and absent,
testified to their appreciation of her
worth while living and their sorrow at
her death. They filled all the space on
each side of the casket almost 10 the
windows on the east and the door into
the corridor on the west, connecting the
apartment with the private portion of
the house AT the head stood the cross
presented by the Republican central
committee, made of white chrysanthen-
ums. From the angle of the cross was
suspended wreath of yellow chrysan-
thenums, and against the base
rested another of red roses and
palms. Opposite, at the foot, was
q massive crown, the gift of the New
York City chapter of the Daughters Of
the Revolution. 1t was composed OF
chrysauthenums and white roses and
rested upon base of violets. Broad
streamers of white silk bore or their
ends the insignia of the order and the
name of the chapter.
On the head of the casket rested a
wreath, prepared at the White House
conservatory by direction of the presi-
dent. 1t was made of white roses and
orchids, of which Mrs. Harrison was
very fond Another wreath of carna-
tions and chrysanthenums, also Mrs.
Harrison's fayorites, will be placed upon
the casket at Indianapolis.
1t is practically impossible to give
more than mention of the more note
worthy of the emblems that surrounded
the casket They comprised every
known device appropriate for such an
occasion. and the profusion was un-
equalled in the experience of all who
witnessed it.
After the services the flowers, or as
many of them as could be carried in two
large wagons, were taken to the main
station and placed with the casket in
the observation car of the funeral train.
1t wanted few minutes only of 10
o'clock when ex-Secretary Blaine, fol-
lowing close behind Mrs. Blaine and
Miss Alice Blaine, entered the White
House. 1t WAS his first visit since just
before that memorial day when he sent
his resignation as secretary of state to
the president. The Blaines We're seated
in the second row of seats, just behind
the row reserved for the supreme court.
Singly and in gronps of two and three,
the people came to pay their last tribute
to the first lady Of the land. There were
many persons OF distinction there, and
many who had no other claim on the
dead wcman than love for the remem-
brance of some kindly act done by her.
The tall clock over the rsher's desk in
the public hallway, just outside the
East room. tolled out ten strokes, when
the first sign OF the beginning OF the
ceremonial appeared.
Down the long, carpeted private COR
ridor came the honorary pallbearers in
double file, each dressed in somber
black. Vice President Morton and
Secretary John w. Foster headed the
line which was following them in the
order named, Secretary Elkins and At
torney General Miller, Postmaster Gen.
eral Wanamaker and Secretary Tracy.
Secretary Noble and Secretary Rusk.
They were assigned to seats in the first
row, nearest to the catafalque. AT the
end and to one side of the private corri-
dor that enters the East room. il \
broad stair case, and down this came
4 the mourners. AT the head was Presi-
dent Harrison his official position for
cotton for the time being being by the
assembled friends in thesympathy which
went ont from the hearts of all those
present. Leaning on his arm was Mrs.
Mckee, the tender and loving daughter,
whose devotion 10 her mother knew no
fatigue. Tie face of the president was
of 4 deathly pallor. Traces Of mental
suffering we're deeply marked. Mr..