The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-06-06
CRUSHFOSBB THECASKET
mmense Throng at the Funeral OF
Eccentric Mrs. Hitler.
TIE OCCASION MADE A HOLIDAY,

Eos.ling and Curious Mob at the House,
Church and Cemetery at Wilmington
Mass.-No Visible Mourning among
Those in Attendance-Flora Pieces
BosroS (SpeclaD.-The burial otFrances
aiIler, the Lady OF tho Caskets'" at VIII
nsngton, had mono OF the solemnlty OF
funeral about it. On the contrary, 1t was
IN many respects like country circus
Ten thousand people thronsod the village
e,,mnled over the lawns, pushed into the
house, plucked the flowers, laughed and
sometimes even jeered at the evidences OF
death.
From 8 O'Clock in the afternoon, when
sbe "lyinc in state" began, until 9 o'clock
xt night, not less than four thousand curl
ans folk passed by the casket and COM
mented on the magnificent Wnite satia
Gown. with its many yards OF lace. In Whlcn
its occupant was laid out. The flowers IN
her hair, the jewelry upon her fingers, the
gorgeous casket itself, oil were subjects OF
talk as though they had beer parts OF
brides dress at wedding.
The only solemn thing about the cere-
mony was the service at st. Thomas's Cath
oIic Church. From this the curious were
barred and Fathers MahoneY and Ryan
performed their offices with proper spirit.
It was 10 O'Clock q. NJ. before me huge
eatafalque hove In sight along the mooorn
road leading to the house. 80 nlgn was
the sombre thing that the trees along the
roadside has covered it with leaves and
hIossoms and dust, 50 that the cleaning
.usy OF these was the first duty. While It
uas beIny backed up to the piazza amateur
nbotopraphers, who had before pointed
their cameras into the dead woman's race,
aimed their instruments at the spectacle
and the multitude which swarmed about
like flies. ~
II was considerably after 10 O'Clock when
the casket, weighing 7Go pounds was nauiea ..s =
to the window, the door not being Wioe
onouoh. ana rolled to the roof OF the cata.
faloue. The wide-mouth th ed thronG watched
the husband and other relatives and ap-
pointed persons Ill nine hacks, ana tnen
followed them to the cemetery.
The TOP OF tho tomb had been shovelled
away leaving In sight the wonderful mar
Bile and metal sarcophagus In which Df.
Hitler was laid twelve years ago.. FOOL
ishIy curious old ladies jammed them,
solves into the entrance to the tomo ana
we're trodden upon. Near the cemetery
some enterprsing small boys had esta6-
usbed a lemonade stand and did big
business.
The Hitler mausoleum is directly at the
Taft of the main entrance to the cemetery,
and the mound was covered with people
massed 80 closely together that approach
vas only possible by the aid OF the police.
The outer casket, intended for Mrs. Hitler,
had been drawn out upon the grass, and In
spite Of all the police could do the relic
hunter had got in his deadly work on the
carved cherubs and other figures.
The ceremony consisted OF prayer and
the sprinkling OF holy water, brought In
oliver bowl. The inner casket was then
placed In the outer and the lid adjusted.
By the aid Of rollers. the casket was then
dragged up the mound to the tomb and
placed beside that OF DIR. Hitler, the canopy
put in place and the brass legs wrapped IN
cloth and laid upon the caskets. The floral
pieces were placed upon the mound and the
police spent the day in guarding them from
The vandals, .