Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-27
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
PRESS DISPATCHES.
Mrs. Harrison's Remains.

IlSOu WeIc COluuNtSN ~ 'ii
at the White House at 10 o'clock this
morning in the presence OF the family
Immediate friends and many notable
persons. Rev. Drs. Ramlin and Bart
lett officiated and the service lasted
about three-quarters ofan hour.
Except the sable rosette of crepe at
the doorway there was no sign OF
mourning about the exterior of the
mansion. Police guards were station
ed 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 adj
dition about score of the blue-coated
watclmen were scattered along the
walks leading to the mansion at the
porte-cochere to direct the movements
of the carriages. These were the only
visible signs ofollicial formality.
Inside the house all of the doors con-
Meeting the halls and adjoining rooms
with the East Room were thrown open.
Near the centre OF the East Room was
the casket, supported by two pedestals,
with the head to inc north, and it was
covered with beautiful flowers. The
great room was nearly filled with chairs
and sofas, arranged in semi-circles. Its
usual aspect was otherwise unchanged,
except by the special abundance of its
loliaged decorations. These consisted
almost entirely of the several varieties
of the palm, which filled the mantels
and the window rcceses, and others had
been placed at intervals along the walls
OF the room and on each side of the
great mirrors.
At the head and foot of the casket
stood tall palms reaching nearly haf-
way to the ceiling. 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, violets and roses,
resting upon a base covered with ivy.
At the foot had been placed large
wreath-covercd cross of purple violets.
There were also at the head a 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 chrysanthe-
NUNS. orchids and scarlet roses.
Wreaths and garlands of beautiful and
fragrant flowers surrounded the casket
on every side in such quantities that it
had the appearance of lightly resting
upon mound of blossoms.
Some time before the hour set for the
beginning of the service the personal
friends of the family began to arrive.
The Justices of the Supreme Court
were all present except Justice Lamar,
who was not able to attend on account
of ill-health Mr.. Blaine entered, ac-
companied by Mrs. Blaine and his
daughter Harriet, also Mr.. and Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid. Most of the members
of the Diplomatic Corps were also pres
ent. At 10 o'clock the seats were all
occupied and the East Room was COM
pletely filled, many persons standing
along the walls in the adjacent rooms
and corridors In the Green Room ad-
joining and opening into the East Room
were stationed the boys of the choir of
st. Johns Episcopal Church, look
ing like cherubs disguised in their white
robes. There were Is sopranos, 5 altos,
4 tenors, 5 bassos and , organists. Tho
reason for the inclusion of this Episco-
pal choral music in the simple Presby-
terrain service is touching. 1t was
feature in the service at the funeral of
Mrs. Tracy (held in the East Room
about two years ago. and Mrs. Harri-
son 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, at least 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 at
tracted her attention to it. As the bell
in the hall clock struck the hour of ten
o'clock the honory pall-bearers quietly
entered the East Room and were seat
ed. The walked slowly in the follow
ing order: Vice-President Morton, and
Secretary ]. w. Foster, Secretary Ell
kins and Attorney General Miller, Post
master General Wanamakcr, and Sec
rotary Tracy, and Secretary Noble, and
Secretary Rusk. The members of the
afflicted household followed soon after
wards, their approach being awaited
by the assemblage with bowed heads.
They were preceded by the undertaken.
The President escorted Mrs. Mckee,
his only daughter his son Russell came
next, with his wife, and the others
came in as follows Rev. DR.. Scott, Mrs.
Harrison's venerable father, with Mrs.