Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-21
THE LAST SAD RITES
Brave Fire Fighters Laid at Rest
Today.
PRAISE FROM The PULPIT
Generous Response to Appeals for
the Living.
CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

Sorrowing throngs of relatives. comrades
and friends today. with bowed heads, moist
eyes and heavy hearts attended religious
services over the remains and followed to
their final resting places the bodies of four
of the five brave firemen who sacrificed
their lives in the discharge of duty Monday
last at the fatal Louisiana avenue confla-
grafton. From the large attendance at
each of the funerals it is apparent that
the mourning is general, the sorrow genu-
Inc and the sympathy for the families of
the dead men sincere. Services over the
remains of two of the unfortunate ire
fighters were held at O'Clock this morn
inS-that of Joseph H. Mulhall at ST.
Peters Church, I'd and G. streets southeast,
and Thomas a. Griffin at st. Stephens
Church, 18th street and Pennsylvania ave
nue. The other two occurred at 3 o'clock
this afternoon-that of George w. Kettler
at Trinity NJ. E. Church. 18th street be-
tween E and G. streets southeast, and Geo.
H. Giles from 1876 18th street northwest
The fifth Victim-Danel Francis Conway
Is to be laid to rest tomorrow morning.
after services at st. Aloysius Church, be-
ginning at o'clock
Honors to MuIhan.
Long before o'clock this morning many
groups of persons had assembled on the
street corners and sidewalks in the vicinity
of st. Peters Church, and at the hour
mentioned the spacious church was well
filled with sad-faced assemblage, gath
cred to do homage to the memory of Fire
man Joseph VI. Mulhall, who. it was plain
from the remarks uttered, upright,
religious man, holding d high place in the
esteem of all win whom he was &C
quainted. Friends of the family of the de-
ceased met at his late home, iDI 9TH street
southeast. and from there mournful pro-
cession slowly wended it's way to the
church The pallbearers who walked be-
side the hearse Were Foreman William
husky of No 10. jeremiah Leary of No. t.
Elmer Hooper of truck Il, Timothy Brown
OF No. 4, Charles kuhns of No. and Geo
IenIey OF No. :. In the lead marched
detail of firemen. including Massrs. Burgh
Harper and Waldron of No. ,. Sauer and
O'Connell of No. /. Creamer, Lanahan and
Davidson of No. u, Lanahan and Sylvester
OF No. ), Goghan- Willig and Sullivan Of
No 10. Henry and Rosseter of truck \ and
Nicholson, Handy and Harper of truck d.
The casket was entirely covered with hand
some floral tributes, while ii was necessary
TO press into service an entire carriage to
carry additional floral offerings.
As the pageant approached the church
the bell in the tower was tolled and the
hremen formed double line and stood
with uncovered heads while the casket was
borne between them into the church. 1t
was followed by the father and mother of
MuIhall, his wife and five young children
all weeping in a heart-rending manner
pitiful sight was presented by the appear
ance of two little daughters of the dead
man. VINO looked to be about three years
OF age. stepping side by side, attired in
spotless white a quartet of Sisters of the
Holy Cross also followed the remains
BY this time the church was filed to
OVERLOOKING Very impressive was the high
mass. which was celebrated by Father M
+ sullivan, assistant rector of St Peters
During the observance the regular choir of
the church rendered appropriate selections
I'D
which was sung amid intense silence At
the conclusion of the mass Father Sullivan
advanced TO the foot of the casket and an
nOunced that those present were called
upon to perform a very sad duty. that of
taking last farewell of one who was
known and loved in life You are here to
show what you thought of him in life,"
SAID Father Sullivan, and to show how
You respect his memory in death and how
You sympathize with his bereaved family.
a few days ago Mr.. NulhalI was strong
anu nearly Inc circumstances surround
Ing his family affairs. young wife and
hye little children. went up as a reason
why he should have been granted long
years Of life, but in the wisdom of AL
twinkling of an eye.
Who is there who can look into that
little household and not syTnpathize with
Its agonizing sorrow? 1t seems cruel to
take away one so necessary to that family
Out the wisdom of God is above our under
standing: His ways are incomprehensible
yet We know from our faith and our teach
lnSS that He is always in the right At
some time We must all obey the summons
of the angel of death, and We must look to
God as our Supreme Father who will deal
with US justly. We have reason to be glad
IN the midst of our sorrow and to be con-
sOled As far as his duties permitted Mr.
Nulhall lived a proper life. There is hope
tnat we shall meet him again in a world
where sorrow is unknown
Let US pray for him." said Father Sulli-
van. in conclusion, land in doing so let us
lock at our own souls. Have we any as
surance that We shall not be taken away
as suddenly? Be ready for the call. Per-
form your duties as faithfully as you can
according to your station in life"
AS the organist softly played Nearer,
My God, to Thee, the casket was carried
down the aisle, once more passing through
the double line of firemen, and, followed by
long line of carriages containing the
mourners, was taken to Mount OIivet GEM
etery, where interment was made accord
ing TO the rites of the Catholic Church.
Griffin mt Rest.
The funeral of Thomas A Griffin, one of
the brave firemen who were killed at the
fire on Louisiana avenue Tuesday night,
took place this morning at 0 o'clock from
st. Stephens Catholic Church, corner of
9th and Pennsylvania avenue northwest.
The edifce was packed to the DOORS
scores of persons standing throughout the
and sang the requiem mass and the music
was IN charge of Mrs. Gillen. crganist and
dire tress. The lighted candles on the
main altar Were heavily draped i'll black
AID the casket which contained the re-
mains Of the dead fireman. and was COM
pIetely covered with beautiful floral Of
1erinSs. rested on a caIafGlque, covered
with black cloth.
At the conclusion of the mass Father
OConnell spoke eloquently of the departed
man. referring to him Christian hero
From time immemorial," said Father
OConnell, 1T has been custom to honor
the dead. Nations have hoEcred them as
far as nations can by the erection of mar
BILE or granite bronze that their men,
cries may be perpetuatad.
God himself has implanted this feeling
In the heart of man and has honorad m N
who have done their duty honorably and
Well. and when We pay honor and respect
TO one of our dear ones we simply use the
attribute belonging to God himself
We have assembled 20 pay respect to
Christian hero. He was prepared to die
He was a noble and generous soul, as all
who knew him can testify. His heart was
as big as the body that contained it, Fore
most in every good and noble movement
he was not capable of doing a moan ~,