The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-06

Elaborate preparations are being made
in Seattle to bury with all possible honor
the remains of Capt. George ii. Fortson
and Private Roy Il. Fletcher. the two
Seattle men who died IN the Philippines In
defense OF the Stars and stripes. The
from San Francisco, and the plain caskets
were viewed by hundreds of people while
the remains laid in state at Butterworth
Il Sons undertaking parlors.
The women belonging to the Miller.
Stevens, Foote and Fortson Relief Corps
and the Seattle Red Cross Society are
taking an active interest In paying the
last respects to the dead heroes, and will
suitably decorate the caskets and church
where the final services are to be held.
insserng wss NEW "hane 81 which repre-
sentative of all societies were present. a
committee was appointed. one from each
society. and the members will meet AT
the Armory this morning at O'Clock to
discuss the question Of decorating The
work will be placed in the hands OF a
competent decorator, and number OF
beautiful floral pieces VIII be made ana
placed upon the casket.
The double funeral VIII be military. Re-
quests have been made by fraternai or
ganizations to which Capt. Fortson be-
longed to let them take charge Of the
funeral but all have been refused. as II
has been thought. better TO have the
heroes buried as they died. with soldiers
about them.
The services will be held Thursday at 2
p. m. at the Armory, Rev w. I'll. q. Tenn
pie and Rev. J. y. Smith officiating a
choir composed of the best singers in Sc
attic has been secured to furnish. music
for the occasion, Addresses viii also
he made at the Armory. The remains
will be escorted to the cemetery by a
guard of honor from Company h, N. q.
w. of which Capt. Fortson was a mem
Der prior 20 his departure for Manila. The
soldiers who fought with him will also
attend in body.
The officials Of the city are doing all in
their power to assist Mayor Humes
yesterday issued the following proelama-
ton requesting business houses TO close
during the funeral;
whereas In this city Inc afternoon Of
Thursday, February 8, 1900, Till he reid
the funeral of the late Capt. George H.
Fortson and OF Private Roy Il. Fletcher,
First Washington volunteers. who died in
defense of our country's flag; and
Whereas, 1t Is desired that opportunity
be given all OF our citizens to pay last
tribute of respect to the memory of these
two soldier citizens whose bravery and pa
tfiotism in life should be duly remem-
hered and commemorated in death: now,
therefore,
II Thomas j. Humes mayor OF the city
Of Seattle do hereby proclaim the fact Of
said public funeral, and direct that on
said date the flags on all municipal and
public buildings within the city be low
cred to half-nast; and | further recon-
mend and urge
That ali public buildings and mercan-
closed during the hours of from / O'Clock
TO o'clock in the afternoon of said date,
and that our citizens unite in the proper
observance of said ceremonies.
Done at the city of Seattle, This 9Th day
ct. J. HUMEs. Mayor.
Attest: WILL H PARRY,
Comptroller and Ex-Officio City Clerk"
The city council last night, upon a mo-
ton OF Councilman Diller. decided TO at
tend the funeral in body, and COM
mittee consisting OF President Rinehart
City Engineer Thomson. City Comptroller
Parry and Councilmen Dlller and Crichton
was appointed to look after the necessary
arrangements The county comm ssioners
X. Dawson. chairman of the committee OF
the Washington Volunteers Association,
TO attend the funeral I'm body. The heads
of the different county departments have
been requested to accompany the COM
missioners. Ar many county employees as
may be spared are also requested TO at
tend, and Will meet at the county COM
missioners' rooms Thursday at 1880 for
that purpose.
The Elks and knights OF Pythias. to
which societies Capt. Fortson belonged.
viii attend the funeral in Il body. Both
organizations are preparing elaborate flor
al tributes for the funeral
Throughout the city there is special
desire to honor the remains. IL Is expect
ed that the Armory will be crowded Thurs
day. Mrs. Fortson, who has been In Geor-
gia for several months. is expected I'm the
city today to attend the last rites over
the remains OF her husband. II IL i'm
probable that the caskets viii be uncov-
cred for inspection. The last honors win
be conducted In military style, burying the
heroes as they died. to the sound of mus
kerry.