Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-02
nJLL ANTHONY's FUNERAL.
Wife, Mother, and brother OF 'he
Hero Present.
(New York Press)


Brave Bill Anthony" whose courage
never faltered at the blowing up of the
Maine. but who could not endure the bat
tie Of life ashore, was laid to rest Neu-
nesdav afternoon His funeral was a pa
thetic ceremony. with incidents thd1
tended to make 1t spectacular; IN TACT IL
was at once sad and sensational.
The services were held in the chapel on
an undertaken in west twenty -tmtd
street. between Seventh ana tlshlh ave
nues The chapel was crowded 10 lne
doors. Outside, Twenty-third street Wa
so filled with persons who hdd come
either from curiosity or sympathy that
there was almost a blockade. Stieet-cals
passed with difficulty. News or the sltud-
ton was sent 10 the west mn leln-
Street Police station. ana "a specidi ne
tail was sent 10 preserve order. Iney
kent a passageWay for the street tidluc,
hui the crowds iammed the sidewalks anu
clambered upon the stoops OF the houScs
on either side, eager 10 command Wow
of every detail Of the remoEai oL w
body. A hearse stood at the curb through
out the ceremony, and between the hedrse
and the door policemen KEPT an open
way. ,.....,
Within the ceremonies were conducted
1lnon the second floor y triangular space
nj one end of the chapel had been deco
rated with United States hags. ne CONN
containing the dead was paced upon
dais and behind II was llthOSIdpil Oh
the Maine as that battleshlp appeareu pe
Tore the explosion i'm Habana harbor.
AbOye the lithOgraph was printed pld-
card bearing the words: a.. 49,,
II have the honor to report that, the
ship is blown up and Is sinking, sir.
WIFE AND MOTHER THERE.
The coffin was covered with flowers ana
many other floral tributes suIIoulluteu e,..
area of the dais. There was much rear
that Mrs. Anthony, the mother 81 inc
dead sergeant. would lose control OF heI
self She came early 10 the chapel anu
BETRAYED symptoms or extreme HeI o l.
ness. She insisted upon occupy lis q 80
at the side of the dead and upon remain
ing there until the body was taken dWaS.
she arose al one time in tho middle OF the
service as Aunt Louisa Eldrldge' the
actress. was reading poem, pII M
Anthony was restrained by her Irlehus'
Another person who added TO the ptthos
Of the scene was the wife OF the dsau ser
geant. who was escorted by her piollltl /.
i r Blaisett. The widow Kissed many
times tho face of the dead IN the ltlIl view Wv,
Of tha crowded hall. She was composSu
finally and led TO her seat RACING the
centre Of the ceremony. 49,
In the throng that filed the chapei there
were noticed, as is usual AT a CEREMONY -, ~
this nature at that time Of day, a majority
of women. Among them were many young
girls who had thrust through their mats
stick-pins bearing navy-buttons.
There was no official representative OF
the United States navy at this service
rather Chidwick. chaplain of the Maine
had visited the chapel many times since
the death Of Sergeant Anthony, but ms
duties prevented his attendance an lhe
funeral He manifested much sympathy
for the sad ending of Anthony.
TWO OLD COMRADES.
This absence of any representative of
the navy is explained by the fact that
Anthony resigned from the service before
he was married. and sought livelihood
by going upon the stage. stephen Merritt,
in the course Of eulOgy which he dellV-
cred at the service made prominent the
interesting fact that two comrades OF me
dead marine. common scamen. Were pres
ent. although no commissioned oihcer OF
the navy was there. He also announced
that member of the British navy, a
sergeant of marines. Of the same rank
and station as the dead man. was present
TO honor his memory.
The two sailors Of the United States
navy thus mentioned by Mr.. Merritt were
unable 10 restrain their emotion. They
! left the chapel abruptly and stood at the
| door of the ground floor awaiting the re-
| moVal Of the casket sobbiug so violently
| that a policeman approached 10 console
| and support them.
The address of Mr.. Merritt moved many
of the women present to tears. He said
| the dead man was saved from burial IN
| Potter's Field only by the influence OF
newspapers which had appealed 20 the
public sentiment Of gratitude Tor his
! brave deed. Mr.. Merritt asserted that
| there had been so much contention be-
tween those who wished 10 provide an
honored, grave for BIZ Anthony that
IL had been decided To place his body
in the sailors plot I'm Evergreen Cemetery.
Brooklyn, thus avoiding patriotic and gen.
erous rivalry