The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-17
HONOR 70 A STATESMAN.
Most Majestic and Impressive State
Funeral Over Remains of
Mr.. Dingley.
HELD lNTHE HOUSE oFREPREsENrATIvEs

Most Distinguished d Assemblage Gath
ers to Pay Last Tribute to the
Noble Life and Splendid Service.
of the Late Representative from,
Maine-Body Lies In State.
Washington, Jan. 16.-A state funer-
al, almost majestic in its impressive
ness, was given the late Repre- senta-
tive Nelson Dingley at noon Monday
In the house of represe natives, where
he has so long been such acommanding
figure. The president, his cabinet, dis
tlnguished members of the diplomatic |
corps, members of the supreme court,
senate and house and distinguished |
men in military and civil life were
ranged about his bier on the floor of
the hall, while the galleries, to which |
admission could be obtained only by
card, were occupied by the families Of |
those who sat upon the floor and prom
lnent persons invited to be present. |
Some Of them, like delegation from
the New York chamber of commerce, |
had come from distance topay their
last tribute of respect to the dead !
statesman. Not since the late William |
ID. Kelly, of Pennsylvania, was given
state funeral in the house during the
Fifty-frst congress, while President
Mckinley was chairman of the ways
and means committee, has such an |
honor been accorded a member of the |
house.
Remains Lie In State.
The remains were taken from the
Hotel Hamilton to the capitol in the |
morning at ten o clock and were borne
into the hall of represen tatives by a |
squad of capitol police unde the direc-
ton of Sergeant-at-Arms Russell. The |
casket was placed on a bier in the area
in front of the marble rostrum of the |
speaker and for an hour the public. |
which would have no opportunity to
witness the official ceremonies later, |
was allowed to view the eremains as they
lay in state.
Thousands of people streamed
through the main door down past the
casket andgazed upon the calm, serene
features of the dead during that hour.
Some could with difficulty be induced
by the police to move away from tile
casket.
Tears in Many Eyes.
The house pages and other employees
of the house entered the line and took
a last view of the revered statesman.
Mr.. Dingley was we'll loved by the
employees of the house and there Were
tears in many eyes. The decorations
of the hall were simple, but strillingly
beautiful. Palms relieved the rigid
corners and palm leaves arranged in
the form of trefoil planted in wreaths
of galaN leaves, tied with long stream
ers of purple, adorned the walls. A
cluster of roses and palm leaves We're
arranged on each section of the brass
railing about the rear of the hall. This
simple scene of decoration eliminated
about the rostrum beneath which the
remains lay.
1mmedia tely in front of the white
marble rostrum the casllet lay banked
on either side with rare and exquisite
flowers which completely con cealed the
most beautiful and appropriate floral
offerings which had been sent to the
family, a great wreath of white roses
from the sons and daughters of Maine,
Il beautiful piece from the ways and
means committee and magnificent
mass of American Beauty roses from
the Canadian high joint commission.
The only floral piece on the casket was
a cluster of orchids, the gift of Mrs.
Blaine. AT the head of the casket, like
halo above the calm brow of the great
man, was magnificent wreath of or
chids and lilies of the valley, tied with
deep purple ribbon, which had been
sent by the president. Out in the waste
of seats while the body lay in state
single desk was wrapped in black and
covered with roses and lilies.
Owing to the entreaties of friends
knd the imperative directions of the
doctors, the afflicted widow remained
at her room during the official cere-
mony, as she was not yet over the
prostrating effect of the loss of her
husband. Her daughter Miss Dingley
remained at her side to comfort and
assist.
The Services.
A deep hush fell upon the assem-
b'nge. Suddenly out of the loft in the
lsir of the press gallery the notes OF
an organ pulsated and echoed through
the hall. II was the first time in the his
tory Of the house Of representatives
that music laG been heard in it. Aquar-
tette sang illiple lively Crossing the
Bar The beautiful words are .,by
Tennyson be gipniue: a! mi aig,,ts.
Sunset and evening star.
And one clear call for me-
The services were conducted by Rev.
S. N. Newman, of the First Congrega-
tional church of this city, assisted by
: Rev. DIR. Couden, chaplain of the house.
1t was very simple service. Rev.
NsMmg-. -ss.l reg. he fer.tesa!h ckp ,stss.