The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-17
LAST HONORS ARE PAID
Solemn Tribute to the Late Lieu
tenant French.
THE SERVICE IMPRESSIVE
Three Thousand People Were Present at
the Auditorium - Eloquent Ad-
dresses Made by Governor
Smith and E. D. Weed

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, April 16.-The last tribute
was paid the late Lieutenant French
in a manner that showed how deeply
the sad occasion affected not only the
people of Helena but of the entire
state, for the whole commonwealth ap-
peared to be represented at the sad
event. Stormy and clustering weather
did not interfere with the previously
arranged plans. The people felt that
one who bravely sacrificed his life
fighting for his country in a distant
land was entitled to a great funeral
despite the weather, and they were
equal to the occasion.
The Auditorium, where the princi-
pal part of the services We're conduct
ed, was thronged as never before. SO
great was the crush that fears were
expressed lest the gallery would be un-
equal to the task of supporting such
a human weight. The crowd had to
be held back by officers. so great was
the desire to fill the entire building be-
fore the different societies and others
for whom seats had been reserved
could be seated. The interior of the
structure was draped with mourning
emblems while the stage was banked
with flowers. The remains rested upon
bier in front of the stage, the casket
being almost hidden in a world of flow
ers and floral emblems. Seated upon
the stage We're about 200 members of
the Ell1s of which order the dead man
was exalted ruler at the time he en-
listed, Governor Smith. F.. d. Weed,
Rev. McNamee of the Baptist church, a
lnr oh q
citizens from other cities. IN the body
of the house We're large delegations OF
the G. A. r., l. O. O. f.. X. of P.,Wood-
men of the World and as well as state,
city and county officers, Company d,
24th infantry, Battery A. n. G. M. and
hundreds of the friends of the dead.
large portrait of the dead officer
occupied prominent place in the front
of the stage. Above it was suspended
a large stuffed American eagle with
wings, outstretched, holding in its ta-
Ions two American flags. Above all on
the proscenium arch was the legend
In memoriam,' in heavy black letters.
The services began about O'Clock by
the choir singing Jesus Lover of My
| Soul" This was followed by an eulogy
by A. D. Weed. The speaker paid a
| beautiful patriotic and impressive trib-
| ute to the dead officer who had for
! many years been his bosom friend and
| DfOtnef Elk ATONeluol ioiililil lNii'N w.
| speaking eloquently and impressiVely
| of the dead The Rev. Mr. McNamee
| delivered short sermon, and the ser
vices concluded with Nearer My God
| to Thee by the choir. The Elks We're
the first to leave each depositing a
| floral emblem upon the bier. Then
came the body borne by members of
| Battery A, and escorted by the honor
ary pall-bearers; C. NJ. Webster, f. |.
Zimmerman H. o. Farris, H. A. Yeager,
r. P. Barden. T. B. Miller, William AL
bright, George Murphy, ]. II. Farmer
and F. S. Lang.
The procession was promptly formed
| and the march to the cemetery began
First came the battery escorting the
body, which was upon a draped cais-
SON. Then came a full company from
the oath infantry, d company. under
command of Captain Ducat, one of the
| heroes of San Juan: Governor Smith
and staff, mounted; the Grand Army
a canton of the Odd Fellows. the Elks
| Woodmen X. of p and a long line
of carriages. At the grave short ser
vices were held on account of the dis
agreeable weather. A. the body was
| lowered into the ground Battery \ free
| a salute.
The number of people in attendance
at the Auditorium is estimated to have
! been more than 5000. Not a few claim
that it was larger funeral than thai
of the late Charles A. BroadWater
| Those of the governors staff who Were
present were. Col Thomas McTagut
Of Deer Lodge Col. James r. Stan
ford of Great Falls and Adjutant Gen
| eral FngliSh