Evening star., 1895-05-28
A WHITE HOUSE FUNERAL.
Some of the Details of the Service to
BE Held There.

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Some of the Details of the Service to
Be Held There.
The east room of the White House is
being rapidly put in readiness for tomor-
rows obsequies. The decorations will be
similar to those used at the funerals of
Mrs. Harrison and DR.. Scott, which were
the last events of the kind in the historic
apartment. The walls will be draped with
fiegs. palms. and tropical plants will be
distributed about the room and potted
plants will be placed on the mantels. A
catafalque will be arranged near the GEN.
ter of the room in front of the main cor:
ridor. Owing to the limited capacity of
the apartment no one will be admitted to
the services except those specially invited.
Chairs for the guests will be arranged in
a semi-crcle behind the catafalque upon
which the remains will rest. Col. Wilson,
corps of engineers, is in charge of the ar
rangements at the White House.
1t is said that this will be the first time
that the funeral of a cabinet officer has
ever taken place from the White House.
Services were held in the east room at the
funerals Of Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy,
Mrs. Harrison and DR.. Scott.
There was some question as to who
should conduct the services Secretary
Gresham was not a member of any church,
while Mrs. Gresham although not con-
nected with any of the local congregations,
usually attended one of the Presbyterian
churches. 1t was ascertaned during the
morning that Bishop Hurst Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church was a warm per-
s0nai friend OF the late Secretary, and at
Mrs. Greshan's suggestion he was invited
to conduct the services, which will be
simple In character. 1t is not certain vet
whether or not there will be any music
beyond the singing of a hymn or two.
The abiLet officers will be the honorary
pallbeale lers. These are now only seven in
number, as follows: Secretaries Lamont,
Herbert, Carlisle. Morton and Smith. At
torney General Olney and Postmaster Cen
eral Wilson. Mr.. Uhl, first assistant secre-
tary of state, who was early today desg-
mated acting secretary, was asked to serve
as The eighth pallbearer, thus completing
the cabinet representation. Secretary Car
Isle has wired that he will arrive this
evening to attend the funeral He and Sec
tetary Gresham were particularly warm
friends. The body bearers will be eight
marines from the barracks.
p. 1t is probable that the funeral train will
reach Chicago Thursday evening, and pre-
liminary arrangements are being made
now for tn final services, which will be
held Friday. Nothing very definite has vet
been decided upon as to that part of the
program, however.
Sculptor Dunbar was summoned to the
Arlington this morning and requested to
make a cast of the Secretary's face He
began this task soon as possible and
completed 1t successfully shortly after
noon.
The Caskct.
The body was then prepared for the
casket, which was ordered early in the
morning. 1t is a very heavy casket and
handsome A silver plate will be fastened
to the lid, with this simple inscription:
WALTER QUINTON GRESHAM,
March II, 1893.
May %, 1895"
The casket will be taken to the hotel at
about o'clock, and after that hour the
remains can be viewed by those near the
family.
Mrs. Gresham rallied during the day, and
this afternoon she was much better in mind
and body. Several handsome floral gifts
were sent to the hotel during the day
The active work of arranging for the fu-
neral is In the hands of Mr.. Frank JONES'
assistant postmaster general; Col. H. c.
Corbn, assistant adjutant general. and
Mr.. John Seaser, Secretary Lamont's pri-
vate secretary. Secretary Lamont. too,
was very busy this morning at the hotel,
and did much to aid the widow and the son
and daughter of his late colleague
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT.
Public Announcement Made of the