The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-01
AN UNUSUAL FLORAL DISPLAY
GOVERNOR MOUNT SPOKE THE LAST
WORDS AT THE GRAVE.
Rev. Mr.. SOuders's Sermon at the
HOuse-Expcriences of the Indi-
annapolis Special.
special to the indianapolis Journal.


Clinton remain to tell of Claude Matthews.
Loved by all with whom he acquainted.
and respected and admired by many who
have watched his public career he was
honoredsin death not only by people high in
state, who attended his funeral but by the
plain, honest folk with whom the ex-Gov-
ernor has spent the most active part of his
life. The funeral to-day was marked by ex-
IRENE simplicity, and about the bier were
many of the commoners of Indiana All
was typical of the man in whose honor
these people had gathered. At his request
elaborate show was eliminated.
When the visitors arrived in the little
town near which Hazel Bluffs farm lies.
the sadness which had fallen upon that
small community apparent on every
side. On the road leading to the beautiful
farm of the Ex-Governor vehicles of every
description and bearing people of every
type could be seen. Three miles are COW
cred in the trip from the nearest railroad
station to Hazel Bluffs, but the road is
shortened by the beauty of the surroundT
ings Small sprays of golden rod, premaf
turey making their appearance, catch the
eye, and the knowledge Of the country i'm
parted by the driver adds interest. With fine
farms on every side, ore is told that far
down below men are working in the coal
mines In the foreground cows are grazing
in the pastures ard far away the smoke
from the great mining engine looms up and
again remind one of the huge caves over
which he is moving.
THE GOVERNORS MANOR.
The Matthews farm is distinguished by
the air Of well-kept superiority which it as
Serts over much of the surrounding coun-
try. High fences in the best of condition
border the outer parts # the two thousand
acres which belong to this immense place,
and at the entrance to the grove through
which the road leading to the house passes,
large gate of modern arrangement stands
in the way. After entering, a large fish
pond first attracts attention to the
right of the road, and then the
pale yellow of the body and the
white trimmings of an old-fashioned house
can be dimly seen through the trees. An
expansive lawn, well kept, lies in front of
the house. and the tall pine trees in the
yard offer pleasant relief from the hot sun.
The old house Itself presents a quaint and
homelike picture Two stories in height,
with broad windows fitted with large shut
ters of green, the old mansion sits proudly
on large HILL overlooking much surround
| ing territory. III the rear, an old windmill
shaft adds novelty. Away to the south,
hundreds of acres of land. part cultivated
| and part in the pasture state. charm the
| eye All this was the domain of the farm
loving Ex-Governor.
| In the large grove hundreds of vehicles
| were packed, while the occupants attended
| the services at the residence at half past II
o'clock in the morning. Near the house and
| grouped about the imposing pillars of the
| large porch the people who had gathered
earlier in the day arranged themselves and
| waited for the time for the ceremonies. A
| number of them were tenants of the dead
man, and keen regret was depicted upon
| every face. On seats on the porch the near
est friends of the family were seated, and
within the relatives sought to comfort the
bereaved widow and children. The remains
lay in the front room to the right of the
large hall which divides the house. Here
the grief-stricken wife and children spent
| much of the time just before the services
l. Their sobs and lamentations could be heard
by those of the friends who were nearest
the house and tears of sympathy were seen
in many eyes.
When the carriages which, bore the state
officials and others who had come by special
had arrived. the occupants were directed to
chairs, which had been reserved for them.
Governor Mount led the way and was fol-
lowed by Senator Turpie and the state Off
GERS with several of the indianapolis city
officials. The services were directed by Rev.
E. w. Souders of the Presbyterian Church
of Clinton, where the Ex-Governor was an
attendant and trustee, and where the MEM
n ia ra mo Mr.
Souders has been in Clinton over three
years and conducted the funeral services of
Seymour Matthews, the ex-Governor's only
son, who died about three years ago
From the open doorway of the old house
the minister was able to address those with
in and at the same time face the immense
crowd which was congregated on the lawn
His voice was good and every one of the
five hundred people who attended could
hear all that was said. After the hymn
Jesus, Lover of My Soul" by a mixed
quartet of the best voices in the little town,
Rev. j. E Clearwater. of the Clinton NJ
c. Church, delivered the invocation. He
asked that strength be given the afflicted
family to pass through the ordeal that was
before them.
REV. MR.. SOUDERS'S SERMON.
Then after another hymn by the quartet.
Mr.. Souders stepped forward.
The text was. How are the mighty fall
en-? II samuel, l. 10, and the sermon IN Iull
was as follows
Through the providence of God we are
called together at this hour TO spend few
moments in funeral solemnities. The dis
pensation that here convenes us is of the
most effective character. 1t has cast a
deep and settled gloom, not only upon the
immediate family and this community but
also upon this entire State of Indiana. 1t
fills many hearts with intense sorrow The
ordinary men. Having so faithfully and so
efficiently served our State in the highest
offices she is able to confer. ne belonged TO
us in peculiar manner. He was not sim
ply a private citizen. He belonged to no
town or community, TO no party or family
Indiana-he belonged to us. And although
no longer serving us or our State In an
official capacity. yet his activity in the
State and national affairs still bound him
to us and gave us a claim upon him that
attaches not to men in the more ordinary
affairs of life Hence ii is right on his de-
mise TO honor him ours.
An OF US deem ii right and proper and
debt due TO the bereaved. to remember the
death of a friend or relative one of our
own homestead with suitable solemn re-
ligious rites, as a tribute of respect as a
love to the precious dead. Hard indeed is
the heart that has tears of Sympat thy
no words OF comfort. tribute to offer at
such time as this Hence we come to-day
the church and congregation OF which he
and his family We're members. come. this