The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-11
Universal Sorrow at the Funeral Of An-
drew G. Curtin.
THOUSANDS Weep At The BIER
Despite the Threatening Weather a
Great Throng of People Turn Out
to Pay the Last Tribute-A Citi-
zens' Meeting Held Prior to the
Funeral Services - Veterans and
State Troops Escort the Body to
the Tomb - Prominent Persons
Present.
BELLEFoNTE. Pa. Oct. 10

jA\ day, even the heavens opened and
IN shed tears of sorrow in copious
II u showers of rain, which fell since
early in the night, and the gloom with
overshadowed Bsllefonte was thus made
even more affecting. And yet notwith-
standing the inclemency of the weather
the crowds that assembled in this beau
tiful mountain town to pay the last
tribute of respect and honor to the
memory of one so dear TO every patriot
heart, Ex-Governor Andrew Curtin,
was numbered by thousands. Prom
inent men from all over the
state and adjoining states were
here, among the number being
Governor Pattisou, General John
r. Brooke. Colonel A, K. Mcclure,
Colonel William B. Mann. Judge Craig
Biddle, Morton McMichael, Judge
lands, Jerome B. Niles and hundreds
of others
The first part of the funeral services
held was citizens meeting in the court
house at 10 o'clock, when that building
was packed to overhowing with friends
Of the deceased. Judge Furst opened
the meeting in brief and very appro.
pirate speech. and General Beaver read
the minutes and resolutions of the
Center county bar association, which
were adopted. Brief tributes were
then paid TO the life and memory
Of the deceased in most fitting terms
by several gentleman. Colonel Will
lam B. Mann, of Philadelphia, was
hn Hrct TOlA
has been lifelong friend of Governor
Curtin and the tribute paid by him
was one of the most affecting of the
day. II was the outpouring of the sor-
rowful heart of a brother and was
tempered with tears which rolled down
his cheeks. Speaking of Curtin's love
for the soldiers, Mr.. Mann said that he
had said to the men when enlisting,
"Go forward boys and fight for your
country, and when you come back our
baskets and storerooms shall be open to
you" And everybody knows how we'll
that promise was kept.
TRIBUTES TO THE DEAD.
Governor Pattison was introduced
and paid touching and glowing tri-
butte to the memory of Curtin, saying
that he had always regarded him as
the man next greatest to Lincoln. Sen
ator John Scott, OF Philadelphia, also
spoke very feelingly and touchingly,
but it was left for Colonel A, X Nc
Clure to pay the most touching fare
we'll tribute. Iu part, Colonel Nc.
Clure said:
Governor Curtin laid down the policy
OF this govern ment. In his first inaugural
address he laid down the policy that gov
erned nation through all that disastrous
war and every line he then said was full
filled in blood and crystallized with the
saving and prosperity of this nation.
Governor Curtin, we tell You is dead. He
has passed from among us, but he is not
dead. There will be perpetual spring
time, perpetual renewal of life. God
has created nothing that dies, and here
over the bier OF our loved one is the place
to declare it. The soul will live immortal
forever. The sun may sink behind the
hill tops, and we call it night, And so the
night has come. We carry the body Of
Governor Curtin to the tomb today, but
from generation to generation his memory
and his example will be as bright stars Of
light to every lover and worshipper of a
free government.
Senator Wallace paid glowing trib-
ute, and in closing said: IF you would
behold HE monument look around you,
it is here among these people" Tho
meeting was closed by brief addresses
by Hon. John ]. Bailey. of Hunting.
don. who served as a member of the
constitutional convention with Gov.
ernor Curtin and General J, P. S.
Goblin, of London. AT the close of the
citizens meeting the remains, under
escort of guard Of honor, composed of
Company P, National Guards Penn
sylvania, of Bellefonte. and twenty
members of Gregg post No. 95. Grand
Army Republic, Of this place. in charge
OF Captain John G. Miller, were taken
to the court house, where they lay in
state until nearly 2 o'clock. During
this time they were visited by thou.
sands Of the ex-governor's fellow. citi-
zen's and many friends from abroad
PATHETIC INCIDENTS.
One Of tho pathetic incidents Of this
hour was the march of the 1000 school
children of Bellefonte past the casket
to take parting farewell. and very
few of them indeed there were who
failed to drop silent tear. In death,
as the cold. silent form reposed in the
handsome oasket. Governor Curtin
looked very natural, even lifelike. His
features were composed as If in sleep
and one almost expected to see the
magnetic eyes again open and hear
words of wisdom flow from the lips
now cold In death.
AT 10:45 the body was taken back to
the Curtin residence and the religious
services commenced promptly al 2
o'clock. They were opened with the
reading of an appropriate selection and
prayer by DR.. Robinson, of Allegh eny.
after which Rev. DR.. Laurie, the pas
tor in charge, delivered beautiful
and affecting sermon touching on the
many noble qualities of the deceased.
Following Dr. Laurie, DR.. Robinson
made brief address, bearing particu-
larly on the life of Mr.. Curtin when
he knew him in Harrisburg as COVER
nor of this commonwealth.
THE FUNERAL PROCESSION.
Itwas just ten minutes OF 8 o'clock
when the procession, headed by the
Second Brigade band, of Pittsburg,
playing 1.-THE Dead March, moved on
Its way to the cemetery about half