The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-09-12
HE HAS GONE HOME.
Impressive Funeral Services Over the
Body of Lieut.. Sydenham.

| Body of Lieut.. Sydenham.
Lieutenant Alvin H. Sydenham of the
Fifth Artillery, died at Fort Candy on
Sunday morning at l o'clock, after a
brief illness. The news of the sad af-
fair was a severe shock to the many
friends the popular young officer had
made in this city and was received
with feelings of the most profound re-
gret. Uutll Friday last. it was not sup
posed that his illness would prove OF
a serious, much less fatal character
About ten days ago an eruption of a
carbunculous nature appeared on his
nose, but he attached no significance to
1t at the time. On Sunday, the Sd, he
went to the beach, accompanied by
Mrs. Sydenham, and dined with Mr..
Knapp. The following day he COM
planned of feeling unwell and was re-
ported as "sick in quarters" by Post
Surgeon DR.. Raymond. The disease did
not develop until Friday, when it was
seen to be erysipelas. For the last
twelve hours before death ensued, he
was unconscious almost constantly, and
at intervals for the forty-eight hours
preceding his death. 1t was not till
Friday that DR.. Raymond became UNI
easy, and on Saturday he concluded to
telegraph DIR. Walker to come over and
consult with him. DIR. Walker went to
the Fort on the Ocean Wave, arriving
there at p. M, but the end had al
most come, and at 1 o'clock on Sunday
morning, the bright younng officer
passed away.
Lieutenant Sydenham's heart was
never in good condition physically, and
his sudden death was due, in a large
measure to that fact
The funeral services were conducted
yesterday afternoon at his late resi-
dence by Rev. w. S. Short of the Epis-
copal church of this city. Mr.. Short
read the service for the burial of the
dead in a most impressive manner mad
with deep feeling, for he as much as
anybody present had known and loved
| the young officer. Ae the conclusion of
the prayers quartette consisting of
Mr.. Short, Mrs. C. II. Page, Mrs ]. e.
Thomas, and Mr.. S. Elmore all of
whom had been asked to assist sang
"Asleep in Jesus" and then the mourn
full procession was formed under COM
mand OF Captain Thorpe. Slowly, and
with heartfelt grief twelve non-com-
missioned officers shouldered the cof-
I'm, and, preceded by the minister, car
RED it towards the Fort burial ground.
Behind them came two squads of the
dead lieutenants regiment, followed by
Mrs. Sydenham and Major Brinkle,
commandant, and followed in turn by
large number of friends and soldiers.
| Near Ocean Beach, jlst in the center
of the little graveyard, the cortege
stopped and the body was lowered into
the grave. The day was glorious. Be
yond the knot of mourners lay the
ocean, calm and beautiful, and the
sound of the waves FLASHING against
1
the shore came up from below throwing
a auieting and soothing influence over
the hearts of the afflicted group. The
minister in a clear voice, breathing
hope and resignation, read the last
prayers, pronounced the last benedic-
ton, and then the beautiful "Art Thou
| Weary" was sung sweetly over the
dead. The firing squad ranged up be-
side the heaped-up mound, fired three
quick, ringing volleys, and. as their
echoes died away, the bugles rang out
clear and strong "taps"-the soldiers
last farewell over the soldiers grave.
Then dozens Of hands deposited beau
| tiful wreaths over the coffin and the
procession wended its way back to the
Fort, leaving its dead with God. No
body who was present at the scene will
ever be able to forget its deep peace
and solemnity-lesst Of all will they
forget the remembrance of him to
whose memory they paid the last sor-
rowful tribute of respect.
Lieutenant Sydenham was born in
Iowa twenty-six years ago, and was
appointed to West Point Military Acad-
emy from Nebraska, in September,
1885. He graduated in June. 1859; was
assigned to the Eighth Cavalry, and in
May, 1891, was transferred to the Fifth
Artillery. He was with the Eighth Cav
airy in the field in the Pine Ridge Ag-
ency during the winter Of 1901. and
served at Fort Keogh, Montana, Alca-
traz Island. Cal. before coming to Fort
Candy, to which post he was assigned
in June, 1892. Immediately after his as
signment to Fort Candy, he spent six
months on recruiting service at Salem.
Lieutenant Sydenham was possessed
of fine military attainments. and had
also achieved some fame In the literary
field, rs a writer for magazines. several
Of his stories having been published In
Lippincott's and other magazines
Three years ago he married Miss Gas
tcn OF Philadelphia. then young lady
Of eighteen. and with her leaves two
children. the youngest Of whom is but
Two months old.