The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-04

burial or one or the Unldsutiasd Dssa frsn
the naatne.

KEY WEST. Fla, March 9.-Flaes have boon
flying ut half-mast ali over the city to-day. The
FIRST body Of any Of the men lost In the Maine
disaster to BIO brought TO American soil for
burial arrived from Havana on tho steamer
Bache this morning ana Yves landed at the naval
station at 1880 o'clock. It was the body Of
an unidentified seaman. On the pier TO re-
ccive it were Capt. McCalla Of the Marblehead,
Fleet Chaplain Alfred Lee Royce. q guard Of hon.
or numbering forty men and two officers under
Lieut.. Anderson from the Marblehead. besides
eight coffin bearers. The body was inclosed in
O hugo copper coffin that was In turn placed In
q Pine box, tho whole Weighing about 1,Ooo
pounds. No hearse In Key West being large
enough to receive the coHin, II was transferred
from the launch to q wagon and drnped in the
American colprs. ENOUGH flowers In wreaths
and anchors to entirely cover tho coffin ba3
been sent by various ladies who are now So
journinR here.
So quietly had tho arrangements been made
for the funeral that none Of the naval officers
not directly connected with the guard Of honor
had been n Quilted that the body had arrived orat
what hour the interment would be made, and
accordingly mono of the officers Of the Maine
was present.
When tho guard of honor was formed they
marched with the flag draped In black and to
the beat of q muiied drum from the naval
depot through about o mile OF streets to tho
Protestant cemetery Of tho city. A half dozen
carriages, one of which contained Capt. No
Gala and the others plain citizens or reporters,
completed the procession, but less than 500
men, women and children followed along tho
sidewalks. The cemetery Is . plot OF six or
eight acres that lies on the east side OF the city,
a picturesque spot because OF the luxuriance Of
the shrubbery and vegetation growing on tho
grounds.
On q clear, pleasant spot in the midst Of the
tropical growth eight graves and q wide pit had
been prepared in anticipation Of tho arrival Of
several bodies. The sailors were drawn up
facing the first Of the graves, while the few
people who were admitted to the cemetery
gathered on one side. With much effort the
heavy coffin was transported to tho grave.
There Chaplain Royce read the Episcopal ser.
vice, while the sailors presented arms and tho
body was lowered to its resting place. At every
interval In the service. when absolute silence
prevailed among the spectators, a couple Of cat
birds in the brush hard by uttered their plain
two cries. The simple service was ended at
IL :45, when q ships bugler sounded the recall
and the guard, with their arms at their shout
ders., marched back to the pier.
Conspicuous among the flags on q main
street to-day was that Of the Spanish Consul, at
half mast, like the others.
The survivors OF the Maine received a months
pay to-day. They arc very much distressed
over an order from the department distribut-
ing all but 1--WE Of tho enlisted men among the
feet now here. They have only three months or
so to serve yet in any event. but are exceeding
ly anxious to go to their friends in the North.
and an effort will be made to induce the Navy
Department to allow them to do 10.
The officers hope to get away on Saturday.
The Board of Inquiry has SO far been enjoy