The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-19
Funeral of Hon. Eli
Thayer in Dread
Castle.
IMPRESSIVE RITES
Final Scene in Career Of
Worcester's Greatest
Citizen.

From the imposing castle that will
forever stand as a monument to his
genius, under the half-masted folds of
his country's emblem, upon the rocky
summit of the rugged hill o'erlooking
the city, the funeral of the late Hon.
Eli Thayer, the Father of Kansas"
was held with impressive ceremonies
yesterday afternoon. Beloved and hon
ored as ne was in life, the hundreds Of
friends who gathered to pay parting
tribute to his memory, attested to the
honor in which his memory will be
held in years to come.
1t was fitting that the last services
over the remains of all that was mortal
of Eli Thayer should be held from the
castle that was his handiwork. Through
the courtesy of Henry D. Perky the
use of the assembly hall on the ground
floor was extended for the occasion.
1t was arranged with the simplicity
that betokened the daily life of the
man. The platform was screened from
the main auditorium and within were
reserved seats for the relatives, where
they might listen to the service.
IN front of the platform, resting on a
simple catafalque of black was the cas-
ket containing the remains of the illus
trious statesman. On either sides were
arranged palms and other tropical
plants. while on tables at the head and
at the foot of the bier were arranged
the floral tokens of esteem sent by low
ing friends. Among the more conspicu-
90 nil % rrrtai re
roses, Gala lilies and maiden-hair ferns
with tho word Brother" in raised i'm
mortelles; an immense pillow of roses
and ferns, a wreath of violets, several
wreaths OF English ivy, several bou-
quets of roses and violets, a bunch of
Easter lilies and basket of violets and
maider-hair ferns.
Among those present We're Col Elijah
B. Stoddard. His Honor Mayor Rufus
B. Dodge, Jr., Henry L. Parker, Frank
lin P. Rice. Samuel Putnam, A. Swan
Brown, Henry D. Perky and Joseph
Jackson. who acted as honorary pail
bearers, all close personal friends OF
the illustrious deceased; Rev. William
7. Sleeper, eX-Mayor Henry A. Marsh,
Col. Levi Barker, Col. W. A. Williams
Ransom c. Taylor Prof. Edmund c.
Sanford, Principal Daniel W. Aber-
crombie of Worcester Academy Viii
liam H. Dexter. Postmaster J. Evarts
Greene Thomas H. Dodge, Alvin T,
Burgess, Alexander c. Munroe, Lieut.
Samuel Hathaway, William E. Starr
Thomas A. Dickinson, John A. Dana
Charles E. Stevens, D. H. Newton, DR.
Henry S. Knight DR.. William H. Rem
ington, Representative Charles r
johnson, Godfrey K. Mellor Eben w
Hoxie w. w. Macomber, James R
Fish, James H. Bancroft, Charles A
Kabley, Charles H. Burleigh, Joseph B
Knox. ]. w. Jordan, Willard Pond, DR.
John o. Marble. Rev. Charles E. Sim
mons, Charles w. Estabrook, Osgooc
Plummer, Col. Edward ]. Russell
Chauncey G.. Harrington, Emory Will
son. William Mecorney, Daniel Downey
and Amos L. Doane.
These gentlemen occupied seats OF
honor to the left of the Casket in the
body of the hall.
The services We're opened with read
ing of the scriptures by Rev. II. B
Washburn, rector of st. Marks Episco-
pal church. AS the closing words, 81
am the resurrection and the life" rose
above the solemn hush, the Schumar
quartet composed of Walter s. Knowles
Harry C. Robinson, John n. Morse and
William F. Little, sang Rock of ages
The service was continued with furth-
err reading from the scriptures, inter-
spersed with selections by the quartet
Jesus, lover of my soul" and abide
with me-" closing with the usual Epis-
copal prayer.
After the service those present were
allowed a last look at their well beloved
friend and in silent concourse the as
semblage filed past the remains of the
illustrious American.
The remains were Immediately taken
to Hope cemetery where private SER
vices for the relatives and friends were
conducted by Rev. Henry b. Wash
burn, the regular Episcopal burial SER
vice being used.