Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-29
TRIBUTE TO The Heroic DEAD
Nebraska Pays Last Honors to the Late
Colonel stotsenberg.
EIGHT THOUSAND PEOPLE VIEW REMAINS
body Lies In state In Capitol Build
ing Two Hours, After which serN-
ices Are Held and sad Jour
ncy IL Resumed.

LINCOLN, May 2S.--(S (SpeciaG) Never in
the history Of Lincoln has there been so
much feeling manifested here over the
death or funeral services of a public citizen
as there was this morning, when thousands
Of people turned out to pay their respects TO
the memory Of the late Colonel John NJ.
Stotsenberg of the First regiment OF Ne
braska volunteers.
From early morning until the casket was
removed to the church people filed through
the state capitol building to view the re-
mains of the gallant hero and when the
doors of the state house we're finally closed
a few minutes before the time for the serv-
ices in the chunch, there were nearly
thousand people waiting in line eager to
show in some way their respect for the dead.
All classes were represented. Eminent jur-
lists, distinguished citizens and college pro-
fessors took their chances with the throngs
of people at the entrance to the state house
and passed through the senate chamber,
where the remains lay in state during the
early hours OF the forenoon. 1t is estimated
that between the hours of o'clock and 1890
fully 5000 people passed along the lines and
as many more remained outside the build
ing and along the sidewalks leading to the
church to view the procession.
The doors to the state house were not
opened until o'clock But long before that
time people began to congregate at the var
ious entrances At first the entrance and
exit were at the west door, but this plan was
soon changed to permit the formation Of
continuous line from the north entrance,
upstairs and through the senate chamber
and out of the west door. Guards were sta
toned at all the doors to direct the people
1t is estimated that during the last hour
before the doors were finally closed the re-
mains were viewed by at least 100 every
minute.
1t was a source OF much disappointment
to hundreds of people that arrangements
were not made for holding the services in
some large building. Colonel Stotsenberg
was a member Of the Episcopal church and
for that reason 1t was thought best to hold
the services there.
People began to congregate in front of the
doors to Holy Trinity church at Twelfth and
streets more than hour before the
time for the services and hundreds Of peo-
pie did not even attempt to secure admis-
sion AS soon as the doors were opened
the great crowd at the door began to move
and within few minutes every unreserved
seat in the building filed Space for
about 400 people had been reserved and it
was with much difficulty that the people
were prevented from forcing their way into
this enclosure.
Procession Moves.
At 10 80 the doors leading into the capitol
building were closed and in few minutes
the pallbearers appeared at the west door OF
the building with the casket. Company F OF
the second regiment of the National Guard
was drawn up with the left extending to-
ward the capitol building and facing the
hearse. The four companies Of University
cadets in full dress uniform ordered to Lin
coin from Ashland last night to participate
in the exercises today, formed in line on
Fourteenth street with the left extending to-
ward ] street. Lieutenant Governor Gilbert
and other state officials and employees, the
faculty of the university and distinguished
citizens, assembled in the governors office
and marched out OF the building in the rear
of the guard of honor and the honorary
pallbearers Mrs. Stotsenberg took advan-
tage OF the opportunity offered for a few
hours rest and relief from the severe strain
she has been under for nearly month, and
decided not to attend the services this
morning. While in the city she was the
guest of Charles o. Whedon, who was d
personal friend and supporter of Colonel
Stotsenberg.
On account of the length OF the process
sion the University Cadet band led the way
down Fourteenth street to X, west on X to
Twelfth and south on Twelfth to the church
This line of march extended the distance
of two blocks. Following the University Ca
det band came the four companies of cadets
and next the escort, Company of the Sec
ond regiment. The hearse followed the es-
cort surrounded by the pallbearers, with @
riderless horse with full field trappngs in
the rear. Next came a guard Of honor
composed OF soldiers OF three regiments OF
Nebraska volunteers. Following the guard
came Lieutenant Governor Gilbert and Ad-
jutant General Barry, Secretary and Mrs
Jewell and ex- Governor and Mrs. Holcomb
marching two abreast The honorary pail
bearers were next in line, followed by the
faculty Of the State university and citizens
on foot. 1t was an imposing sight as the
procession filed down the street to the mu
sic of slow funeral dirge.
Services at the Church.
The services at the church were impress
sve and brief. The exercises were more II
the nature OF a burial service than me-
mortal service During the services the
pallbearers and guards retired to seats ano
two choir boys were stationed by the coihn
The chancel and pulpit had been decorated
with flags and flowers and In the process
sion down the aisle the regimental color'
we're carried Immediately in the rear o
the casket. Inc SERVICES Cioseu WIN ~
hymn, America.
Rev. Francis Eason, rector OF Holy Trim
ity parish, paid a glowing tribute to th'
memory of Colonel Stotsenberg. He SAT-
in opening:
1--WE are assembled here today to pay ou
last loving respects to those whose name
have been engraved on the heart OF thi
republic. We are sharers in national sor
row. The sad tdings have been heard witt
a pang of sorrow in every corner OF thi
great land. Among many brave sons n
whom we looked upon as one OF the noblest
has fallen For these America, Christian
America, SORROWS. the more so because ]
had no opportunity of telling them hoy
near to It's heart they all were and hoy
deeply engraven their heroic deeds woui
be upon its memory, how safely enshrine
In its affections forever"
In closing Rev. Eason said: Zone more ex
ample set before us OF work modestly
simply, nobly, grandly done. One more ex
ample OF heroic daring One more exampl
OF that type OF manhood which has mad
this grand republic what II is today. i
the constellation OF Americas glory an
fame there has appeared another star, whic