The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-02
LIKE A WARRIOR.
Funeral Of Major Smith sf the Saliva.
tion Army.
Lively Music Marked the step Flsgs
0aiiy Floated Ia the Breeze. o.

A unique sight was seen in the streets
Of New York yesterday. IL was the
funeral of private citizen, with the
body borne In gun carriage and bands
OF muAic In the procession. There were
mounted mon and banners, but the music
was Of a bright and lively character.
II was the burial OF an officer OF the
Salvation Army which occasioned the
remarkable procession.
Major Alexander Smith was being
buried. No one OF like rank In the
volunteer or national army was buried
with more honor. He died In Philadel-
-phia last Friday ana the body was broug hit
here for public funeral, as he was the
Oldest staff "officer'' In the United
States. The big building in Fourteenth
street was jammed with Salvationists
Two thousand persons could not gain ad-
mission. The cssket stood on trestles at
the foot OF the platform, drared with the
stars and stripes and the flag OF the army
On top were laid his heavy cap, bunch
OF roses and his commission spread open.
On each side OF the platform wero i'm
mortelles Ia the colors OF the army. On
the stage were Commander Bsllington
Booth and Mrs. Booth and stan officers
from half q dozen states.
NO MOURNING BADGES
Every man soldier wore q white silk
-prmlet and every woman soldier q big
Across the breast OF each staff officer
was a large white badge with the letters
"Victory."
A trumpet blast opened the services and
Commander Booth asked all TO JOIN in a
eong which their dead comrsde had
written, The prayer OF Hrigadier Will
liam Evarts, of the 'Pecific coast, was
punctusted with earnest "Amens."
Another fsvorite "song" OF the dead
man was sung to the accompaniment OF
military instruments, and then Com
mander Booth asked his comrades to rise
once more. He said he knew Brother
Smith well, and was aware OF his wish
that there should be no formality about
his funeral. 'sNow raise your right
hands, he said, "snd sing his favorite
hymn"
1t was bright happy. strain, in three
fourth time, from the Moody and Sankey
collection. The singers were almost
wildly enthusiastic In their efforts to do
Justice to the theme.
SOME MOVING ADDRESSES.
Mr. Booth began his brief address by
saying that their dead brother was no
"aristocratic church goer." He sketehed
his deeds In the army In simple yet gra-
phic pharses.
After another hymn Mrs. Maud Booth
entered upon a glowing eulogy. Her
picture of the death scene, when she
spoke OF Comrade smiths "natural cour-
tesy and gallantry'' in spologizing for
his inability to stand before a woman
when addressed by her beside the couch
could scarcely be surpassed by mas
ter of orstory. She had said, "Msjor,
heaven will be more like the true head
quarters" and he replied, ~ believe
you. -
THE PROCESSION.
Comrades OF his own grade bore his
body 10 the street and placed ii on the
caisson. Fourteenth street was packed
with people. Horsemen headed the pro-
cession, and then came twelve stands of
colors. American and Salvation Army
and the stan brass band. Commander
snd Mrs. Booth ana the headquarter staff
officers followed. Behind the picture of
the deceased came the gun carriage,
drawn by four white horses. Four horse
n-bore each white banner, respectively
inscribed, Faith" Victory" "Tri-
umph," Hope" Behind the caisson
was q saddled but riderless black horse,
led by two captains. Then in order was
the "slum" contingent of women with
banners, more bands, more banners, more
lengthy files OF men and women, and the
Swedish aud German companies. The pro-
cession was through Fourteenth street TO
Union Square, TO Seventeenth street, TO
Fifth avenue, to Forty-Sixth street, to
Broadway, to the Forty-seventh street
barracks, when IL was dismissed, and then
the staff officers, with the body, continued
on TO the Grand Central station, where a
train was taken for Woodlawn cemetery.
New York Sunday Herald