The San Francisco call., 1897-01-21
The Remains of Minister
Willis Arrive on the
Australia.
His Widow Requested That the
Ceremonies Be as Simple
as Possible.
Soldiers From the Preside Formed a
Corps of Honor as Soon as the
Steamer Arrived.

The Oceanic Steamship Company's Aus
tralia came into port yesterday with all
her flags at half-mast and her yards cock
billed. On board were the remains of
Albert s. Willis, late Minister Pleni-
potentiary and Envoy Extraordinary from
the United States TO Hawaii. When the
vessel docked at Pacihc-street wharf a
detail of soldiers from the Presidio took
charge Of the casket, and during the day a
soldier stood watch over the remains. In
the evening the casket was removed to the
ferries, and at Oakland was placed on the
Sunset Limited, en- route for Louisville, Ky.
HONOLULU, HAWAII, Jan. 13.-The re-
mains of the late United States Minister
Albert S. Willis are being taken to San
Francisco by the steamer Australia. They
were taken from the vault in Nuuanu
Cemetery this afternoon and placed on
board by the undertaken. There was no
display except an escort from the United
States steamer Alert, but Minister Cooper
of the Foreign Office was present on the
stea mer to receive them and attend TO
their disposition.
Mrs. Willis, her son, and Miss Dulaney,
her sister, accompany the remains 10
Louisville, where the final interment will
the deceased were present at the wharf to
pay the last tribute of respect to the de-
ceased, and the usual band concert at the
wharf on the departure of the steamer was
dispensed with by order OF the Minister of
Foreign Affairs.
Ali the newspapers of the city have
united in saying nice things of the dead
diplomat, the following editorial notice
from the Evening Bulletin being given as
a sample:
Should Hawaii be called upon to mourn
the death of one of its native sons in
highest official life it could give no more
notable or sincere expression OF honor and
respect than the tribute paid TO the late
United States Minister Willis. In offici
detail 1.-The funeral exercises of yesterday
were among the most impressive ever
witnessed in the country; but all this
would be as nothing if it were not every
where apparent that the honest senti-
ment OF the people was being voiced!A Our
citizens have expressed, better than
tongue or pen can portray, their appre-
citation of the estimable character of the
lie American Minister. As the represen-
tative of the American Republic, as the
dean of the diplomatic corps, as a man
among men, a remarkable national tribute
has been offered, beautiful in its unselfish
spontaneity, and shrouded with a grand
eur that comes from universal action in
which the petty affairs of life are forgot
ten in the contemp platlon OF character
built upon high motives.
Mrs Willis has received large nun ber
of letters of coincidence from the Govern
ment, members of the diplomatic and
Consular corps, and the many friends
which she has made during her residence
in Hawaii. An oil portrait OF Minister
Willis. painted by the cele brated artist,
Fred Yates, on an order from Mrs. Irwin,
and presented by her to Mrs. Willis, will
be shipped to Louisville to-day. 1t was
painted from photograph, with suggss-
tions from Mrs. Irwin as to coloring. The
likeness is that OF Mr.. Willis when he first
came TO Hawaii and is excellent.
William G. Irwin has always beer a
close friend of Minister Willis, and an ad-
mirer OF his qualities as statesman, and
W. G. Irwin e. Co., representatives of J.
D. Spreckels & Co., have extended to Mrs.
Willis and her family the courtesies of the
Oceanic Steamship Company, and as
tribute OF the deep respect he holds for the
family and the memory OF the late Min
lister Mr.. Irwin has proffered them the use
OF ommodations for themselves and
the remains to San Francisco.
The officers of the Australia prepared a
special room for the reception OF the re-
mains. 1t was draped with the stars and
SlIlp6S anu bue hdhdtldH nag, anu uaY
and night light was kept burning at the
head OF the casket. One of the crew was
constantly on watch and a chair was
placed near the bier for the accommoda-
lion of Mrs. Willis or q son. Directly
the Australia docked a soldier relieved
the sailor on watch, ana from that on the
military authorities were in COP troll. Ser
geant Walsbury and three privates formed
the guard of honor"
According to military ethics the dead
Minister was entitled to a guard COM
posed of four troops of cavalry, four COM
panies of infantry and four batteries of
artillery, but at the urgent request OF Mrs.
Willis very little display was made. About
$3.50 P. NJ. fifteen non-commissioned Off
GERS came in from the Presidio and re-
lleved the men on watch.
Later on four troops of cavalry arrived
and a start was made for the ferries The
casket, draped in the American flag, was
placed on a gun-carriage and the cortege
was headed for the ferries. There the
cavalry were dismissed. but several of the
infantry accompanied the body and Will
serve as the guard of honor until the
State line is reached. Mrs. Willis is
thoroughly prostrated and has TO be
assisted in all her movements. Her son
and her sister are constantly in attend
ance upon her and do every thing in their
power for the stricken woman.
United States Appraiser Tucker, acting
under instructions from Washington, will
accompany the remains to Louisville. KY,
as the official representative of the Pres-
dent.