Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-09
A SOLEMN OCCASION
Sad Scenes at the Funeral Of Little Eddie
Russell.
St. AIOysius Church Was Crowded
Impressive Remarks Made by
Rev. Father Gillespie.

The familiar tones of the bell In the tower
of St.Aloysius Church. which quarter hourly
during the day and night announces the
time. this morning tollei mournful funeral
knell. 1t was Just a few minutes after D
o'clock that the remains of Eddie Russell.
the popular lad who met an untimely death
on Monday evening last at the garden party
in progress on the grounds of Gonzaga Col
lege, were brought to the church, but every
pew in the edifice was crowded with sad
looking and sympathetic men, women and
children long before The surprisingly large
attendance at the services fully attested the
general interest wrought up by the sad
event.
From the House to the Church.
After prayers at the residence of the par
ents Of the deceased the immaculate white
casket containilg the little body and covered
with beautiful floral designs, also Of white,
was borne by six acolytes, or sanctuary boys
clad In purple robes, to 4 white hearse,
while another walked ahead carrying a bed
of roses, surmounted by a pure white dove,
with wings outstretched. Mr. Russell, the
father of the dead boy, accompanied by
Eddie's sister and grandmother, followed
Whiie scores of relatives and immediate
friends took possession of a long line of
carriages. Mrs. Russell was too i'll to leave
her bed.
III
outer doors of the church prayers were
again uttered, but they could not be heard.
owing to the loud and pathetic sobs of the
ladies' with MIR. Russell. Father Gillespie,
with three altar boys, was in waiting at
the entrance, and the organist rendered
Nearer, My God, to Thee" headed the sor-
rowful procession down the center aisle to
the altar rail- Nearer. NV God to Thee -
was then sung by the choir, after which
Father Gillespie read in Latin and English
the impressive Catholic burial service and
burned incense about the remains.
Father Giliespie's Remarks.
The utmost silence reigned, troken at in
tervals by the crying of the jnourne-s. as
rather Gillespie announced as the text of
his remarks. "He was taken before sin and
iniquity could darken his understanding; be-
lore malice could beguile his soul"
Death is always Unexpected, and always
Panl'ut whep It comes" began the priest.
Dut there is nothing more certain in the
world We See it all around us daily-still
IL Is always unexpected. However, the cir
eunstances under which this death occur
req were unusually pathetic and painful
and we all extend to the relatives and
broken hearted parents Of the deceased our
heartfelt sympathy
But the event having taken place" CON-
tinued Father Gillespie, we Should try 10
see IN connection with Ii the hand of
Almighty God, and should accept IL i'm that
Xsn.. Ihe parents have already done so.
tIic uCuDIy dIIllCtSG mother
for me and begged me to see that tho narN
son charged with the offense does not suffer
az tne hands Of the law. That was a bean
tiful sentiment "~ !" oe"u-
Although his body is dead, his soul Is
ivIhs In heaven. the priest went on to saw
ne went up before the throne of God as
an anger 10 pray for that father and mother
isrt behind. We shall see him again. But
II Almighty God allows these things to han
pen 10 the Innocent. is it not a lesson To ms
VINO are living? Every death nv accidan,
warns US that we should watch and nrov
io LOT we Know not the day or the hour when
sne same may occur to us. Therefore. /
ist az aecept inns death with resignation and
let the event teach US all a lesson
Interment ut GlenwoOd
Inc body was again carried to the hearse.
amid the hushed -tofing of the bell. ard
then the funeral procession slowly wended
us way out North Capitol street to Glen.
W. Moou cemetery, where interrnent was male
as prayers were said, and amid the sohS ~
'he iather, sister and grandmother,