Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-11-03
mrs. nARRlsoN,s FUNERAL.
The Services Took Place In the VIII
House and Lasted Three Quarters of Il


House and Lasted Three Quarters of an
Hour.
WAsuINGToS, Oct. 21.-The funeral
services over the remains of Mrs. llarri-
son We're conducted at the White House
at 10 o'clock this morning, in the east
room, in the presence of the family and
immediate friends and MANY celebrated
persons. The services lasted about three
quarters of an hour,
The funeral services were beautiful
and Impressive, but were chiefly charac-
terized by the simplicity which was so
dear TO her heart. Except the sable
rosette of crepe at the doorway, there
was no sign Of mourning about the OK
terror of the mansion. Police guards
were stationed at the gates to keep back
the throng of people who gathered to
the number of several thousand on the
sidewalks bordering the northern lawn.
In addition about score of the blue
coated watchmen were scattered along
the walks leading to the mansion and at
the portico to direct the movement of
the carriages. These were the only
visible signs Of official fOrmality.
The floral tributes to the memory Of
the dead were very numerous and of
rare beauty. At the head of the casket
was large and most beautiful floral
crown made Of white carnations, yiolets
and roses resting upon base covered
with ivy. At the foot had been placed
a large wreath crowned cross OF purple
velvet. There was also at the head II
large wreath Of white and pink roses
and palm leaves, the tribute of the
clerks in the executive office, and at the
foot another wreath made up of chrys-
anthemums, orchids and scarlet roses.
Wreaths aud garlaEds of beautiful and
fragrant flowers surrounded the casket
on every side in such quantities that it
had the appearance of lightly resting
upon a mount of blossoms.
Just before 10 o'clock Mr.. Blaine
entered accompanied by Mrs. Blaine
and his daughter Harriet, and the ex-
secretary was seated beside General
Proctor, his old colleague in the cabinet
Mr.. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid entered
| about the same time and were seated in
the same row. Most Of the members Of
the diplomatic corps were also noticed
among the early arrivals.
At 10 O'Clock the seats were all occu-
pied and the East Room was COM
pletely filled, many persons standing
along the walls and in the adjacent
rooms and corridors. In the Green
Room adjoining and opening into the
Fast Room were stationed the boys of
the choir Of Christ Church.
The reason for the inclusion of this
| Episcopal choral music in this impor-
tant Presbyterian service is touching. 1t
was feature in the service at the fun
eral of Mrs. Tracy, held in the cast
| room about two years ago, and Mrs.
| Harrison was so much impressed by it
and so struck by the beautiful hymn,
LEAD, Kindly Fight that she caused
this hymn to be sung and played ut the
| White House at least once nearly every
Sabbath. Because il was so dear to her
the hymn was chosen for her funeral
services to be sung by the same sweet,
youthful voices that had first attracted
her attention to it,
As the bell in the hall struck the hour
of 10 o'clock, the honorary pall-bearers
4 quietly entered the East Room and were
seated. The members of the afflicted
household followed soon afterwards.
The President escorted Mrs. Mckee, his
only daughter. His son, Russell, came
next with his wife,
The active pal bearers comprising
eight Of the White House ushers and
messengers ranged themselves in tho
main hallway just outside the open
doors Of the East Room.
When the family were seated the Rev
DIR, Hamil, the Presidents pastor, ad.
vanced and in low Voice repeated q
few passages from the scriptures, begin.
ming "ln my fathers house arc many
mansions" concluding with the Lords
Prayer and with him repeated by almost
every person III the room.
Then the Rev. DR.. Barnett, who was
formerly Mrs lIarrison's pastor at In.
dianapolis, took up the scriptures and
read u number of passages from the Old
and New rGstaments and the Psalms
AS he came 10 the end the low prelude
of the organ was heard and the swelling
voices of the choir chanted the hymn
81 heard the voice of Jesus"
"Let us pray" said DR.. llammil, ant
all heads were bowed as the pastor lifted
up his voice in ycneration to the Lord
Once more the choir was heard, thi
time singing Cardinal Newman's beau
tiful hymn, Lead, Kindly Light Tho
solemn hush that fell was broken by
the undertaken and his assistants, wht
+ removed the floral tributes from thu
casket, and everybody rose, the body
bearers advanced and took their places
The caskct was conveyed through tn,
portals Of the Presidents home, and tn,
cortego proceeded to the station.
Inside the house all Of the doors con
Meeting the halls and adjoining room
with the east room were thrown open
Near the center Of the east room tn
casket, supported by two pedestels, wa
covered with beautiful flowers. Til
great room was nearly filled with chair
and sofas, arranged in semi-Circes. II
usual aspect was otherwise unchange,
except by the special abundance of it
floral decorations. These consiste
almost entirely Of the several varietie
of the palm, beautiful varieties film
the mantels and tue window recesses.
Some time before the hour set for tn
beginning Of the services the persona
friends of the family began to arriv
; and were shown to seats by the usher,
: The justices Of the Supreme Court wer
all present except Justice Lamar, VIII
! was not able to attend on account of IL
health.
] it came into view the throngs on Penn
! sylvania avenue opposite the manso
stood in mute silence and with VI
T. covered heads as the remains wer
+ carried over and placed in tho hoarsC
which, drawn by two black horses, wa
!. then driven out into the sem
!, circle leading to the street IN
j the carriages Of the ministers, Pres
dent and family and cabinet wei
: quickly moved Mp and as each one re
' ccived its load it took up position in lin
hnnind the lnarsn ILeLn Nns litLn Il.