The record-union., 1893-11-25
Friends Pay the Last Tribute to a
Former Cabinet Officer.
FITTING FINALE TO THE SIMPLE LIFE
OF WISCONSIN'S COMMONER
The Friends of Silver Entertain the
Belief That There VIII be an Effort
Next Year to Bring About Another
International Conference for the
Purpose of Securing Some Recogni-
ton of the White NJ etaI.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
VIRoQUA (Wis.), Nov. a. A great
gathering of people this afternoon barred
their heads to brisk, cold wind from the
west, while the last earthly tribute was
paid to jeremiah Rusk, Ex-Governor, ex-
Congressman and late Secretary of Agri-
culture.
Ex-President Harrison, who was very
fond of the sturdy old statesman, jour
neyed all the way from Indianapolis to
be present at the interment and follow the
remains to their last resting place. walk
ing with members of the family as one of
the chief mourners.
The obsequies were a fitting finale to
the simple life of Wisconsin's great COM
moner, the most picturesque character
the State ever produced.
The bitterly cold weather did not pre-
vent the people from the entIre surround
ing country from being present and tes
tifying their affection for the deceased,
and a large number of strangers were
present. Delegations have come from the
most distant parts of the Northwest.
Three heavy special trains arrived dur
ing the day. The first was from La Crosse
at noon; the second from Madison, bring
ing Governor Peck and most of the State
officers, and the third from Chicago and
Milwaukee, bringing eX-President Har-
riSon, X-AttOrney-General Hytler and
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Will
etts, and delegation of Loyal Legion
and Masonic fraternities.
Under guard OF honor from Lowrie
Post, G. A. r., all the associates of the
dead soldier, the remains lay all night in
state in the little Methodist Church, con-
-. . al o.nI- kh1 - tI,o
funeral, and a continuous stream of peO-
pie passed the bier as it rested, sur
rounded by floral tributes from all parts
of the country. There were many affect
ing scenes as griZzled veterans limped by
to get last look at the familiar features,
many Of them giving vent to sorrow in
audible weeping.
The face showed little emaciation, des-
pite the long illness, and as if asleep, the
features being framed in snowy hair and
beard. Everywhere about the little town
were evidences, in the mourning en-
blems with which the houses were draped,
and in the closed and silent factories, of
the deep esteem in which the deceased
was held by his neighbors.
Immediately on the arrival of Mr.. Har-
rison and party they were driven to the
Rusk mansion, where personal condOl-
ences were offered to the stricken rela-
tives. Thence the party proceeded to the
church, and were shown to seats reserved
tor them.
A great crowd assembled about the edi-
flee and stood in the snow with barred
heads while the services proceeded, de-
spite the intensely cold weather.
The simple services were conducted by
Rev. Nuzum of the Methodist Church,
assisted by the venerable Professor But
ler, who delivered feeling and eloquent
address from the standpoint of longtime
personal friendship. His participation
was at General Rusk's request, shortly
before death.
The choir sang number of Rusk's
favorite hymns.
The religious services were followed by
reading the beautiful burial service of the
Masonic Blue Lodge by e. n. Benzen-
berg, Commander of the Wisconsin Con-
sistory. The little church was effectively
draped.
A large portrait of the deceased was
hung al the back of the altar, framed in
Grape. and large silk flag draped the
altar itself.
At the conclusion of the services pro-
cession was formed of over a mile in
length and proceeded to the cemetery,
where the Masonic services we're held
committing the body to dust, and the ex-
ercises concluded with firing salute
over the grave.