Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-18
AN OFFICERS FUNERAL,
Simple Ceremonies Over the Remains Of
Gen. Kelton.
The Soldiers at the Home Testify Their
Love for the Late Governor-Distin-
guished Persons Present.

The Soldiers at the Home Testify Their
Love for the Late Governor-Distin-
guished Persons Present.
never told OF soldier who had q greater per-
sonal interest in the welfare Of the enlisted men
under him than had Brig. Gen. John C. Kelton,
Tor many years adiutant general Of the army,
and since his retirement from that Office gov
ernor Of the Soldiers Home of the District Tho
betterment of their condition was the aim and
ambition Of his msturer years, and he accom-
pltshed many reforms in the service for their
especial benefit. He respected the private SOL
der and asked no greater honor than to be re-
garded as one Of them. He had given the best
energies Of his years of power to their comfort
and advancement, and asked nothing more at
his death than to be treated like them.
His Request ~ to His Funeral.
few months ago, when his condition became
30 serious as to indicate tine approach OF the
end. he wrote tender letter to his faithful
wife, expressing his wishes with respect to his
funeral Briefly stated, he requested there be
such as are provided by the regulations In the
case Of enlisted men.
In this letter he said:
"Having lived longer than the average lifetime
OF men. and having wrought hard for many
years in the interest Of public good and for the
benefit OF the army, and for which the army and
the public have both shown appreciation, / feel
that my work and usefulness must soon como to
an end. therefore express the wish that, if
die on duty at the home. be buried at the ma
tional cemetery near the home in a common
coffin, such as are made for the inmates, COW
vod vuith k~xx h.
home hearse be used
81 do not desire q military funeral, nor any
pail bearers. have been permitted to walk
alone, self reliant, all my life. I prefer to 60
alone to the cemetery without the escort Of pail
bearers or military band.
~ have commenced many improvements at
the home for the advantage Of it's admiuistra-
ton and its material good, which am sure
have been appreciated by the inmates, and
invite them to my funeral service and inter-
ment"
The Last Sad Tribute.
He was buried yesterday afternoon in the
beautiful cemetery attached to the Soldiers
Home, and the only difference between his
funeral and that of the plain soldier Of the
| ranks was in the large aud distinguished char
acter OF the assemblsge that gathered about
his grave. That he had won the love and re-
spect of the gray-haired inmates Of the home
was shown by the fact that all who were able
attended his funeral, and by the further fact
| that the principal floral tribute to his memory
was contributed by them. This consisted Of
an immense representation Of "The Gates
Ajar," surmounted with q star composed OF
white roses and bearing in purple immortelles
the legend ITO Our Governor" There were
not many floral offerings. The Loyal Legion
sent beautiful wreath and Mrs. Parker and
Mrs. Kuhn sent large bouquets Of white flowers.
The Religious Services.
Religious services were held in the small
uncovered chapel in the home grounds at
o'clock. They were conducted by the vener-
able Rev. DR.. Buck, rector Of the Rock Greek
rector Of the Ascension Church, and the Rev.
Mr.. Mott Of the Rock Greek Church. The
regular burial service Of the Episcopal Church
was observed. The opening antlem was sung
by DIR. Mott, assisted by the choir. Special
prayers were said by DR.. Elliot, who also made
tribute to the deceased as a man, soldier and
Christian, and the service was closed with .
benediction by Dr. Buck. During the services
| the choir sang the hymns, THY Will Be Done, ="
Jesus, Lover Of Ny Soul" and I'm the Hour
Of ;s Lord" The music S was selected
deceased. The chapel was entirely too
small to accommodate the crowd in at
tendance. This included Henry Wilson
Post, No. II, Department. Of the Potomac
G. A. R.. Commander W. Y. Deere and most
Of the veterans Of the home. They clustered
around the church and listened to the service,
a. the words Of prayer and hymn came through
the open windows. Among those who occupied
seats inside were Adiutant General Williams,
ex-Surgeon General Sutherland, Col. Lieber
Maj. Schwan and Mai. Macarthur. represent
ing the Loyal Legion; Maj. X. C. Parker Capt.
Irwin and Surgeon Forward, representing the
Soldiers Home; Gen. Ruggles, Gen. Vincent
Col. Gilmore, Col. Corbin, Col. J. NJ. Wilson,
Judge McCammon, Maj. J. P. Sanger, Col
Morrison, Surgeon General Sternberg. Capt.
Bell, Capt. Hughes, Lieuts. Landers, Benton,
Perry, Sewall and Meriliat.
The March to the Cemetery.
The march was then taken up for the grave
in the following order: The home band play
ing dirge, eight soldiers from the home, in
command Of . sergeant. all with arms reversed;
Henry Wilson Post, G. A. r., inmates of the
home; clergy, hearse, attended by eight non
commissioned officers; the family and other
mourners. No carriages were used except
those furnished by Major Parker and Capt
Irwin.
The hearse used on this occasion was the
same one used in the case Of all funerals Of in
mates of the home. Gen. Kelton's remains
we're inclosed in plain pine coffin. differing
from those used for enlisted men only In being
drsped with black serge. 1t was covered with
an American flag and bore on its top the
cn0peou, SWORD ana Delt OF the deceased, VINO
was also dressed in the full uniform Of his rank
His wife, her mother and his sister were dressed
in full mourning, but his four daughters were
dressed simply In white, with black hats, sashes
and gloves. The explanation Of these costumes
10 that Gen. Kelton had interdicted heavy
mourning He did not wish to add to the dis
tress Of his family.
Earth to Earth, Dust to Dust.
The place selected for the interment was Just
inside the cemetery gates. near the white
marble tomb Of Gen. Logan and beside the
graves Of other army officers marked with i'm
posing shafts Of granite and marble. When
the procession stopped at the open grave, the
religious services, beginning Earth to earth.
dust to dust, ashes to ashes, !" were concluded.
The detachment OF eight soldiers then fred
three volleys over the grave the band played
The Star Spangled Banner" and stalwart
bugler, advancing to the head of the grave and
standing like q statue, sounded "taps." the
signal for flights OUT or crest" and the cere-
monies we're over. and while the crowd moved
away the grave diggers began covering ND the
mortal remains of a gallant soldier. His grave
will be marked by bowlder rough on all sides
except a small smooth space on the top, which
will besr the simple inscription. John c. Kel-
ton" All the arrangements for the funeral
were carried out In accordance with the last