The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-11-25
Remains of General Rusk Laid at
Rest in the Cemetery at
VirOqua.
Hundreds of Distinguished People
Including Elk President
Harrison
Were Present to Do Him Honor.
Three Special Train We're
Run.

a brisk, cold wind that blew steadily
from the west while the last earthly
tribute was paid to jeremiah M. Rusk,
ex-governor, ex-congressman and late
secretary of agriculture in President
Harrison's cabinet. The ex-president,
who was very fond of General Ruslr,
journeyed all the way from Indianapolis
to this little village in Western Wiscon-
sin and followed the remains to their last
resting place, walking with the family
as one of the chief mourners. The obse-
quies welo
Fitting Finale
of the simple life of Wisconsin's COM
moner. the most picturesque character
the state has ever produced. The bit
terly cold weather did not prevent the
people from the entire surrounding
country from attending the funeral, and
many thousands of strangers were pres
emit, large delegations coming from the
most distant parts of the Northwest.
Three heavy special trains arrived
during the day, the first arriving from
La Crosse. The second, from Madison,
brought Governor Peck, the most Of the
state officers, judges of the supreme
conrt, and large number of other
prominent people from Madison, where
General Rusk spent seven years as gov
ernor, and great deal of his time in
other capacities before and since.
Brought President Harrison.
The third and largest special came
from Chicago and Milwaukee, bringing
roo notable people, including ex-Presi-
dent Harrison, ex-Attorney General
Miller, Captain Meredith, ex-publc
printer; Edward Willetts, assistant Sec
retary of agriculture; Senators Philetus
Sawyer and John G. Spooner; ex-Gov-
ernor w. ID. Hoard; General Lucius
Fairchild; Henry C.. Payne and large
delegation of the Loyal Legion
and Masonic fraternities. This spe-
cial train left Milwaukee at z
o'clock in the morning, making rapid
and uneventful run to Viroqua. AS
early as Thursday morning people began
coming to town in every imaginable
conveyance, and long before noon the
largest concourse ever seen in this part
of the state had gathered.
The Funeral Arrangements
were in accordance with the wishes of
General Rusk. A private and impress
sive ceremony was held late Thursday
afternoon at the residence, a mile from
> the town, Rev. George Nuzum of the
Methodist church officiating. The
widow, four children and large num-
ber of sorrowing relatives and close
friends being present. The remains,
resting in handsome, but plain, cedar
casket, draped with an American flag
and fairly buried under floral emblems,
was conveyed to the little Methodist
church in town, members of the Masonic
fraternity in which General Rusk stood
very high acting as an escort of honor. Al
the church. a delegation from Alexander
Lowrie Post, G.. A. r., all associates oi
the dead soldier, stood guard, while the
remains were lying in state all night
4 and the whole of the day. until the time
n of the burial. The little church holds
only about $50 people, and continuous
stream passed by the bier up to the las
moment. There were
Many Affecting Scenes
as old veterans hmped by to get fare
well look at the familiar face and il
many instances weeping and audibly ex
pressing their grief and sorrow. Gen
eral Rusk was man of wonderful pop
ularity with the masses and evidences o
the most genuine grief were to be seel
on all sides. He looked very giant II
his coffin, with his long white hair ant
flowing, snowy beard, the fac
ushowing Ettle or no e1naciatiO1
from his long and painful illness. Tn
. casket was encased in q burglar proc
!. Isteel case, which was sealed shortly be
fore the burial. The little town showe
every evidence Of the great loss. it
Hpeople had sustained in General Rusk'
, vdeath.
Flags Were at Half Mast
ION the public buildings and factories an
lnearly all the stores Were draped i
mourning, crep. and black, while buni
hing futtered o.. all sides Business wa
Ientirely suspended and citizens hospits
Iblyoffered entertainment to the Thousand
of strangers who had come 10 join wit
them i'm the last honors. lmmediatel
EpoH tuc aiIisnA VI lHc picciucitinl Sp'
Hial, Mr.. Harrison and party weI
hriven to the Rusk home, where the
personally offered coincidence to ii
last members os fhe stricken household.
Dor Then they visited the church, occupy
md ing the seats reserved for the family an
ear. distinguished strangers. An immens
ana crowd gathered around the little churcl
hany Of them standing in the deep sno
= nth barred heads duringthe service, q
pite the intensely cold weather. I'll
oral offerings were very numerous Al
beautiful, and came from all parts
ne the country. number of large desiri