The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-26
How Washington's
Death Was Reported.
AN ANCIENT PAPER.
News and Advertising One
Hundred Years Ago.


1t IS always an interesting occupation
for the antiquarian to turn back the
files of old newspapers and study his
tory at first hand. 1t is especially in
teresting this week to have the oppor-
tunity OF knowing just how the press
of a century ago received the news Of
the death of George Washington. Such
an opportunity has been afforded the
Spy readers through the kindness of
Miss L. N. Smart, 3 Boynton street,
who is the owner of copy of the VI
ster County Gazette, published in King
ston. N. Y, Jan. 4, 1900 and which con-
tanned a full account of the obsequies of
the first president.
The paper is in deep mourning. The
widest slugs in the Office We're turned
bottom side up to make a suitable black
border for the two inner pages contain
ing an account of the funeral The
reading of the contents reveals the fact
that the father Of his country was as
unfortunate in his obituary notices and
poetry as many of lesser note have been
before and since. This is how the Ga
zette describes the burial:
WASHINGTON ENToMBED.
George Town. Dec. 20.
On Wednesday last the mortal part of
Washington the great, the father of his
country, and the friend of man, was
consigned to the tomb with solemn
honors and funeral pomp.
A multitude of persons assembled
from many miles around, at Mount
Vernon, the choice abode and late resi-
dence of the illustrious chief There
We're the groyes-the spacious avenues,
the beautiful and sublime scenes, the
noble mansion-but alas, the august in
habitant was now no more. The great
soul was gone. The mortal part was
there indeed; but ah, how affecting,
how awful the spectacle of such wealth
and greatness, thus to mortal eyes.
falleni fallen!
In the long and spacious portico
where oft the hero walked in all his
glory, now lay the shrouded corpse.
The countenance still composed and
serene, seemed to depress the dignity
of the spirit which lately dwelt in the
lifeless form. There those who paid the
last sad honors to the benefactor of
his country, took an impressive fare
well view.
On the ornament at the head of the
coffin was inscribed Surge ad judi
cum; about the middle of the coffin.
Gloria Dec" and on the silver plate,
General George Washington, depart
ed this life on the 14th of December,
1899 Act g."
Between and the sound of artillery
from a vessel in the river firing minute
guns awoke afresh our solemn sorrow
the corpse was removed; a band of
music, with mournful melody, melted
the soul into all the tenderness Of woe.
The procession was formed ard
moved on in the following order:
Cavalry.
Infantry.
Guard, with arms reversed.
Music.
Clergy.
Coils. Sims, Ramsay, Payne pail
BEARS.
Corpse
Coils. Gilpin, Marsteller, Little, pail
bearers.
MOurnerS.
Masonic brethren.
Citizens.
When the procession had arrived at
the bottom of the elevated lawn on the
bank of the Potomac, where the family
vault is placed, the cavalry halted, the
infantry marched toward the mount
and formed their lines-the clergy, the
Masonic brethren and the citizens
descended to the vault and the funeral
service of the church was performed.
The firing was repeated from the vessel
in the river, and the sounds echoed
from the woods and hills around
Three general discharges Of the in
fantry, the cavalry and II pieces of ar
tillery, which lined the banks of the
Potomac back of the vault, paid the
last tribute to the entombed COM
mander-in-chie of the armies of the
United States and to the departed hero
The sun was now setting. Alas the
sun of glory was set forever. No;
the name of Washington, the American
president and general, will triumph
over death. The unclouded brightness
of his glory will illumine the future
ages.
The wl';t4c Of the above 1orid fu-
neral panegyric probably prided him
self on his rhetoric but the present
day reader can seep little but humor
in its stilted phraseology. Quite diff