The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-14
funeral OF alexander
Impressive Ceremonies on Arrival of
Remains at st. Petersburg.
VISITORS THRONG THE CITY
Car Nicholas and the Prince of Wales
Walk in the Procession-Un United States
Represented by Minister Brcekin.
ridge Emblems from America.
By the United Press.

By the United Press.
st. Petersburg, Nov. 49,
The preparations for the reception of
the body Of Alexander III in this city,
today, We're hardly equal to those in
Moscow and in consequence of thaw,
followed by fog and snow fall, the pro-
cessiOn had to march through deep
slush and mud. The heralds yesterday
announced that the body would arrive
at 10 o'clock this morning. The hotels
were crowded to their full capacity
with visitors from all parts of Russia
and the continent, and windows along
the route of the procession had been
readily rented days ago at 100 roubles.
Preceding the ceremony of removing
the body from the Nicholas station to
the fortress three guns were fired. Az
ter the third gun the church bells were
tolled and throughout the day minute
guns We're fired. When the funeral
train arrived at the Nicholas station at
500 a. M, the station was crowded with
the nobility of Russia and represeta-
tives from every other European coun-
try. The hearse stood ready to receive
around 1t was ranged the guard of hon
or, all representatives of the navy. In
addition To these there We're a large
number of clergymen, choristers and
others awaiting the arrival of the train
and beyond the limits prescribed by the
police and military was an immense
crowd of people.
IAN Impressive Spectacle.
Amid the solemn music of the band.
and the chanting Of priests and singers.
the long funeral train slowly stole into
the station, until the mortuary car was
opposite the steps leading to the hearse.
when ii came to u full stop. With
candles and incense the priests stood in
a group lining the steps, the metropoli-
tan OF st. Petersburg and the higher
clergy at the top, and the roll of the
drums of the grenadiers mingled with
their chanting, showing the harmony
of the tributes of the church and army
to their former head. 4 boy choir began
a chorus, in which the men Joined and
the volume of vocal music swelled high
upon the frosty air. The procession
moved at 1880 o'clock. The coffin was
covered with golden pail lined with
heavy ermine.
The prince of Wales walked with the
Car Nicholas, each wearing uniform
similar to the one he wore in Moscow
only more elaborate. This characteri-
cation is true of the whole procession.
1t was conducted upon the same plan
as that In Moscow, only mor4 elaborate
ly. The floor of the cathedral of st.
lsaac's was covered with black cloth,
the edihce, built of massive stone and
full of dignity, was in sharp contrast
TO the gem-like cathedral of st. Michael
the Archangel in Moscow.
Entering the Cathedral.
The procession arrived at the cathe- |
dral at 1.3O p. m. The coffin was at !
once placed ut the catafalque and a
requiem service followed lasting an
hour. The body was then exposed to
public view, and Immediately long lines |.
of people, anxious to see the dead czar's /
face, began passing through the cathe- |
dral. The lying in state will contir le
until the day of the funeral. Const; int .
masses will be celebrated
President Cleveland and the Uni led /
States We're represented in today's cere-
monies by Minister Breckenridge and |
the entire staff of the United States
legation, and by Lieutenant Rogers,
naval attache at Paris. The American /
colony sent seventy wreaths to be ,
plaCed on the car S coffin.