The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-03
ELOQUENT FLOWERS.
Their Prodigal Beauty SymboIized the
Love of Host of Friends.


The floral display at the funeral exceeded
! in beauty, appropriate selection of designs,
variety and quantity any similar spontane-
Gus tribute ever made to the memory OF a
public officer in this city.
The whole city seemed to have proved
the truth Of the priests words in the burial
eulOgy: Everyone respected him and the
poor trusted ana loved him. Those who
knew him best knew that within a strong
nature he had a tender heart"
Everyone was glad TO see the really Won
deriul aggregation OF flowers. The idea Of
ostentation entered no ones mind. The
flowers, infinite in their variety, matchless
in their natural bloom, were fashioned lhtO
untold numbers of designs betOkenng the
record of the man who lay dead-mute and
tender tributes to his life work and eloquent
prayers to heaven for his SOULS eternal rest.
No one counted the floral pieces. but
there were hundreds of them, large aud
small. The resources Of the local florists
were taxed to fill the orders that came pour
in from the companions, friends and
acduaintances of the old chief. All the
companies sent floral testimonials of their
feeling at the death of their chief. Mem
bers Of the various municipal departments
were profusey represented among the
cards attached 10 the pieces. Many bust
ness men who owe much of their property
10 the lOng-contlnued protective vigilance
OF the man the city now mourns did not
neglect 10 forward some flowers in memory
OF the chief. The nearer friends aud official
associates of course did not fail in til cir
part in this last respectful duty and the
consequence was that the flowers us they ar
rived in an incessant stream at the Fire
Commissioners rooms filled all the availa-
bic space in the front and back apartments,
and 1t was necessary 10 remove them 10 the
wagons which carried them In the funeral
procession in order to make room for the
formation of the ranks OF the leaders who
marched in the cortege.
The cost of the flowers probably amounted
into the thousands of dollars, and as they
came from such a variety of sources it was
truly conspicuous feature of yesterdays
universal demonstration of esteem and
honor.
II took six wagons to carry them. and as
they passed through the streets masses of
wonderful bloom and beautiful color, the
large pieces towering alOft as if to especially
emphasize their solemn Office, the crowds
that thronged the streets gazed and won
dered.
The spectacle told the onlookers what
was otherwise uuutterable. IL told them
indeed how the whole community honored
the man.
Every species of'blossom now obtaiuRble
in San Francisco was utilized at one point
or another in the designs. Carte blanche
was given TO the florists in many Instances.
The usual devices appropriate to funeral
ceremonies were in great profusion.
There was a wreath of smilax, ferns,
holly, lilies, camelias, fuschas, roses, i'm
mOrtelIes, azaleas, violets, forget-me-nots.
tube roses and myrtle festoOned and com.
bined in a confusing but luxurious variety
of pillows. arches, broken columns, wreaths.
stars, etc, and some exquisite small pieces
from personal friends, TO describe all of
men would require page OF a newspaper
and which would fall short of making their
true impression unless they are seen in
reality.
Their pristine splendor, their penetrating