Huntsville gazette., 1893-02-04
REST IN THE GRAVE.

| Blaine Lad to Rest with Simple but
Imposing Ceremonies In Oak Hill Ceme-
| terry on Georgetown Heights-Mrs.
Blaine was Too Much Overcome to
| Follow the Remains to the Grave.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3l.-At the fu-
| neral of the late James G. Blaine yes
terday the ceremonies inside the house
were grand in their simplicity. Before
the hour of 10 the invited guests began
to arrive and take their seats in the
fragrant and floral bedecked front par
lor of the mansion. There We're no
chairs reserved except for the president
and for the immediate family of the de-
| ceased. Eleven o'clock was the hour
named for the simple service of prayer
which was to precede the removal OF
the body to the church. 1t was only
few minutes after that hour when the
mourners entered, and the president
and all the distinguished concourse
arose to pay fitting honor and SYM
pathy to the sorrow of the deceased
statesman's relatives
The family was followed by Rev.
DR.. Hamlin, of the Church of the Gov
enant. who, standing beside the casket,
in low tone, delivered the Presby
terian prayer for she departed soul
AS he did SO Mr.. Walter Damrosch
touched the keys of the piano to a slow
dirge and the scene was an impressive
one.
This completed the brief and impress
sive services and the casket was closed
and tenderly borne to the hearse.
Solemnly and in silence the family and
the mourning guests left the house
which has been SO frequently invaded
by the angel of death and the sad pro-
cession wended its way slowly to the
church.
1t was exactly noon when the slow
and solemn organ music announced
the arrival of the funeral party at the
door of the church. AS the sad pro-
cession moved up the aisle Mr.. Walter
Damrosch, who was at the organ,
played an improvisation made up OF
several themes of hymns which Mr..
Blaine loved. All present rose and re-
manned standing as the funeral party
moved down the aisle. DR.. Hamlin,
the pastor, walked at the head of the
mourners, and holding in his hand an
open book containing the ritual of the
Presby terian worship, as he advanced
read selections from the Scriptures.
After an eloquent prayer by DR.. Ham
lin the Lords Prayer was repeated by
the pastor and part OF the congrega-
ton, the benediction was invoked upon
all present, and at 1915 o'clock the
Il, 4, Ill I,nr1
noted that Mrs Blaine was not
among the mourners, as had been
supposed. Among SO many deeply
yelled figures her form had
not heretofore been missed, but it was
soon whispered that she was overcome
by grief, and had remained at the
house. Prior to the starting Of the
funeral from Lafayette square Mrs.
Blaine had requested to be left alone
for few minutes with her honored
dead The parlor was cleared for this
purpose, and when Mrs. Blaine emerged,
after from five to ten minutes silent
communion with her grief, she made
her way, supported on the arms of her
son and daughter, to the room where
her husband had died, and there gave
way to her grief.
Mrs. Hale and other sympathizing
friends followed her to the death cham
Der but their friendly administrations
were of o avail and Mrs. Blaine was
com peeled to remain behind. At the
grave DR. Hamlin read the simple
burial service of the Presbyterian
church and this was followed by an ex-
temporaneous prayer. Then came the
benediction, land all tlat was mortal
Of James Gillespie Blaine was con-
signed to the earth.
Oak Hill cemetery is one of the most
picturesque burial grounds in all the
United States 1t is situated at the
summit of Georgetown Heights, over
looking the natural beauties of the val
lev Of Rock Creek and almost under the
shadow of historic Georgetown college.
The mansion of ex-Gov. Cook is in the
immediate vicinity. and all the sur
roundings. including the magnificent
trees, are stately and beautiful, and
most of them date back to the colonial
period.
Mr.. Blaine's last resting place was
| chosen by himself after the death OF MS
| beloved son Walker, who, as well as
his daughter, Mrs. Coppinger, lies
| buried near him. 1t is in the eastern
part of the cemetery, halfway down
| the terrace on the bank of the creek.
According to the will of Mr.. Blaine,
| everything is left unreservedly to Mrs.
Blaine. She is to be the sole eXecutrix
of the instrument, and is not to be re-
quired to give any bond. Mr.. Blaine's
| estate, according to the estimate OF a
gentleman whose relations with him
enable him to speak with correctness.
| will amount to about SS00,000. 1t is
composed of improved real estate in
| Washington and in Maine. and, OF
| course, lands in West Virginia and
| other states and small holdings OF per-
sonal property The coal and
| timber lands are likely to in
crease in value as the resources
are developed, SO that when the
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