The record-union., 1899-09-28
.ELKS BURY CHIEF DWYER.
IMPRESSIVE TRIBUTES TO THE
BELOVED DEAD.
The Hall Crowded and Thousands
Follow the Dead to the
Grave.

The funeral Of the late Thomas
Dwyer, Chief of Police, took place from
Elks' Hall yesterday afternoon. Inc
hall was crowded and thousands were
turned away.
Though the Elks conducted the
funeral there We're many Bohemians oil
America there, and people of all ranks
gathered to pay their last tribute 10
the dead. The ceremony of the Elks
was beautiful and impressive, Illus
trating their notices of charity, justice,
brotherly love and fidelity.
It was one of the largest funerals
ever seen in Sacramento, and in spite
Of the heat and sultriness many thou-
sands followed the beloved dead to the
City Cemetery. 1t was httlns
tribute to a brave and honest man,
whose life had been an example to al
men.
After the floral pieces were in place.
blooming testimonials of love for the
dead, the great throng OF people began
to fill the hall. Early among the ar
rivals were the uniformed police, each
wearing crepe on the left arm. The
family and intimate friends of him
that lay Iifeless soon followed, then men
and women from all walks of life. Those
who had known and admired the young
Chief, those who had played with MIN
as boys or toiled with him as men.
swarmed into the hall until there was
room for no more.
Long after every inch of space was
occupied those eager to have last
look or to offer a parting tribute OF re-
spect to the dead, in vain sought en-
trance to the place of ceremony. The
ante-rooms and stairways were packed
with people, the street was thronged,
and carriages by scores awaited their
loads. Every corner, every doorway
and bit of space for block was be-
sieged by friends of the dead. Even
belated Elks famed themselves in hall
ways or patiently awaited the ending OF
ceremonies in the glare of the hot sun.
Within, people sat and stood, tanning
themselves and perspiring under the
soft glow of electric lights, sweltering
while they awaited the beginning, then
the close, of the impressive ceremonial
of the Elks. The low, solemn notes OF
a little organ finally broke the quiet,
then a human voice full of emotion
rose above the sound of the breathing
audience 1t was Exalted Ruler Jack !.
son, announcing the nature Of the meet
ing
My brothers," said he. "as no cere-
mony of a solemn character should be
commenced without prayer, let us
pray"
There was silence. Even the tanning
ceased and heads were bowed. From
the station of the Chaplain there arose
a brief, intense prayer-the same words.
the same form which Elks use over the
biers Of great and small within their
circle
All joined in feeling "Amen!" and
when the unison of voices had ceased
there was dramatic scene.
THE Secretary will call the name, !"
said the Exalted Ruler.
Thomas Dwyer! Thomas Dwyer,
Thomas Dwyer!" cried Secretary
Holmes, while the eyes of the living
were filled with tears. Beneath the
tempered light, surrounded by flowers
and the sweet influences of friendship
and love, lay the Elks' beloved brother
his lips sealed in the spell of death In
that sleep, so beautiful and calm, the
dead Chief lay at rest, and the silence
that followed the calling of his name
marked the end of all sufferings and
fatigues. But the Secretary listened
for moment, as if the lips Of the un-
replying dead might break into speech.
but the tranquil repose was broken
only by the voice of the Exalted Ruler
in vain we call upon him." said the
Exalted Ruler, for he has passed into
the light beyond the valley Of tn.
shadow of death. Places that have
known him will know him no more,
and once more we are called upon to
realize that in the midst of life we are
in death: that He who watches ovel
all our destinies has the spirit of the
departed under His watchful care, and
on the last day He will unite the chains
OF fraternal bond so recently broken
There were a few brief, dignified re
sponses of various officers Of the Elks
whereupon Frank d. Ryan delivered
the eulogy. A song over the remains
of the absent brother ended every cere-
mony save the viewing Of the dead.
I'VE want to say a word to the
memory Of one with whom we have
been associated for years." began Mr.
Ryan, "and it is a solemn duty which
we perform with loving hearts"
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