The herald., 1896-04-06
IN EASTER-SUNDAY FUNERAL
OBSEQUiES OF G. W. R FORD AT UNITY
CHURCH YESTERDAY
An Immense Attendance and Many Beautiful
Floral Tributes The Church Packed
With Sorrewing Frisads-A Large Dele.
cation Prom the Chamber Of Commerce

| Unity church was crowded to its utmos
! capacity yesterday afternoon at the funera
| services over the remains OF G. w. X. Ford
and hundreds were turned away unable te
gain admittance. 1t was one OF the larges
funerals ever seen in the city and the flora
offerings were of every description in shape
and enormous in quantity. The cortegt
left the residence on Bellevue avenue
shortly after 2 80 and proceeded direct tc
the church, into which the casket was car
ried and deposited in front of the pulpit
the top being buried under mass of bios
SONS.
The interior of the edifice was elabor,
ateiy decorated with Easter lilies and palm
leaves. which were turned around the pill.
lars and affixed to the walls in various
forms. Across the front of the rostrum
and pulpit three arches had been erected
fianked by floral pillars. Before these
were placed tho numerous offerings oi
friends. One of the most beautiful was a
broken shaft of white carnations twined
with a rope of smiiax and roses, around
the base four white doves just poisinR their
wings for flight. This was sent in by the
Boston store employees. A huge broken
wheel of white roses and carnations. with
the hub OF violets. was the offering OF Mr.:
Ford's fellow members of the chamber OF
commerce. Then there was . beautiful
piece representing the gates ajar, from
other of Mr.. Eord's employees. smaller
pieces without number, anchors, wreaths,
pillows, crosses and baskets of the most
exquisite blossoms, piled against and upon
the rostrum, combined to produce a mag
nificent effect.
Rev. DIR. Thomson, after the rendition of
several hymns by the quartet. rose and in
eloquent words delivered q most effective
address. in which he adverted to Mr..
Ford's career in this and other cities, and
the esteem and honor in which he was
held by all who came in contact with him.
During his remarks DR.. Thomson pointed
to huge American flag draped over the
entrance to the Sunday school room, the gift
of the deceased, by which the love of coun-
try and patriotism was inculcated each time
the children came into the church. Mr..
Ford was man of most generous i'm
pulses and q progressive and Christian
citizen. In his death the city loses a man
who had the best interests of his adopted
home at heart, and who by the dispensa-
ton of Providence was cut down in his
prime just as ne seemed about to reap the
results of his labors. Concluding, DR..
Thomson paid last farewell tribute to the
deceased brother and, after prayer, invited
all who wished to look upon the face of the
dead for the last time.
A large number availed themselves of
this privilege, after which the commit
tee of thirty from the chamber of COM
merce, the Boston store employees and
lastly the family gazed a long farewell,
when the coffin was closed. The casket, q
massive and magnificent affair of ebony
with silver handles. was lifted by the pail
bearers, W. c. Patterson, H. Jevne, J. s.
Slauson. J. M. Elliott, Judge Stephens and
]. f. Francis, and carried to the hearse,
the organ meantime playing dirge. Then
the line was taken up to Evergreen ceme-
terJ. All the employees of the Boston
store followed the body to the grave and
hal ina ne< orrSo dead f<r al
blocks. An express wagon was required
to transport the floral pieces, which COM
pletely filled it.
At the grave short services were con-
Quoted by DR.. Thomson and the body was
lowered to its last resting place.