The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-29
SERGT. HIGGINS's FUNERAL.
4 Great Concourse of People Pay the
Last Tributes.
Buried With Military Honors-Former
Comrades Attend the Servces-Re-
marks by Rev. DIR. Blanchard.

Comrades Attend the Services-Re-
marks by Rev. DIR. Blanchard.
Another of tho city's heroes in the war
with Spain was reverently laid to rest in
Evergreen cemetery Saturday afternoon,
and the services over the remains of
Sergt. Philip E. Higgins, Co. A. LIST Maine
Regiment, took: place from his late resi-
dence on the corner of Bracket and
Carleton streets at 2 o'clock p. m.
Family, friends, nelghbors crowded the
house. while outside on every street cor
ner and on the steps of adjoining houses
were gathered hundreds of people to pay
their final tributes of respect.
Besides large representation OF COM
rades in arms and delegation from the
Junior Order American Mechanics, Gar
field Council No. Is of which the deceased
was member, were seen Mayor Randall,
Capt. Geo. A. Dow, 1st Maine Regiment,
Thomas Connor, Past Captain B. A.
Norton of the P. L. l., Ex-Sergt. Free
man and Elk .Sergt. Major E. A. Wal
dron.
The escort was made up of fifteen pri-
Yates from Battery E., 7th Artillery,
stationed ut Fcrt Preble under command
of Sergt. G. e. Cooper who upon arriving
in front of he house gave the command
"stack arms and fifteen muskets stood
in line along the street while the services
were going on within the house.
Another notable detachment in line was
that of ex-members of the old Portland
Light Infantry, with ex-Sergt. freeman
in command who formed with the regu-
lars the guard of honor
Rev. DR.. Blanchard conducted the ser.
vices which begun by the singing OF the
hynn, "When the roll is called in Heaven
l will answer to my name" after which
Rev. DR.. Blanchard read selections from
the scriptures appropriate to the death OF
a soldier. He also read the poem, He
who died at Aim" The quartette which
by the way was composed OF John Nor
gan, H. G. Parkman, Miss Hovey and
Miss Wilson then sang $50 bury thy sor-
row. and also at the conclusion OF the
prayer which followed the address, that
impressive hymn, Abide with Me- {"
Rev. DIR. Blanchard recognized the sor-
row of tho occasion and said that he
should rather dwell upon the light which
comes in the darkness to all those who
believe in God.
We are to remember that they who die
young have opportunity in the other
world. There is really no incomplete
life. Ended here, it is continued there.
He had been often panied by the death OF
the young. In Mount Auburn as he had
read the names of graduates the thought
had come that their education was not
lost. 1t was used in the heavenly world.
We think too much of separation on earth
instead of the meeting in Heaven. This
dead boy had joined his mother who left
him so soon, the dead aunt whom as q
mother to him. and mis- father. These
bereaved ones should think of the JOY of
that meeting and not merely Of their sor-
row.
They will have blessed memories of this
beloved grandson. He was conscien-
tious, faithful. earnest. He would never
desecrate the Sunday. He rejoiced to
serve his beloved. Precious, indeed, will
be his dear memory. Above all, they are
to remember that soon they too shall
be summoned to go hence. They too shall
join the beloved who have gone before.
In that union no end shall come.
We are to thank God for memory and
love and Immortality. Pain must come,
but trust in God will enable the sorrow
ing ones to bear their sorrow. They can
hear the beloved child sending from the
heavenly world his. words ofcheer and
love.
In the prayer which followed, DR..
Blanchard referred to the young soldiers
comrades who were present at the service.
Young Higgins commander, Capt. Dow,
spoke to DR.. Blanchard in high praise Of
the young mans desire to do his duty.
He was unwilling to give up to sickness.
He was conscientious in the performance
of every task.
DR.. Blanchard read part of his scrip
ture selections from a New Testament,
containing the name, Philip E. Higgins,
which was found in the young soldiers
knapsack.
The pail bearers were chosen from
Sergt. Higgins "old regiment" and were
Priyates Frank Anderson, Fred Foster,
Co. A., Walter Hatch Co. B. James, A.
Walsh, Co. l., Emery W. Chase, Co. L.,
and B. S. King, Co. L, and as they bore
the remains to the hearse the detachment
of regulars drawn up in front of the
house presented arms while Howes' hand
played "How Gentle God Commands. u
The procession was then formed, headed
by Ex-Sergt. Major T. A. Waldron, who
was followed by the band and escorts,
and proceeded down Brackett, thence to
Deering and Green streets where the
escorts left the line when the cortege
continued to the place of interment at
Evergreen cemetery.
The escort rejoined the funeral party at
the entrance to the Cemetery and arriving
in front of the grave, again presented
arms as the body Was placed in the
ground. Musician Smith, Battery e of
tla r+b Auxiliary then stepped to the