The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-10
THE HARNER OBSEQUIES
The Father of the House" Laid to
Rest at Laurel Hill.
simple Though Impressive CeremO-
MES Marked the Services Mt the
Graye-Many Men Prominent in Ma
tionaI and Municipal Affairs Pay
Their Last Tribute OF Respect.

PHILADELPHIA March with simple
though impressive ceremony all that was
mortal of Alfred C. Harmer late Repre-
sentative in Congress from the Fifth dis
trict, was consigned TO its last resting
place in laurel Hill Cemetery this after
noon. His body was followe1 to the grave
by a multitude OF Borrowing friends and
the funeral services at the house were at
tended by men representing all the walks
and stations of life.
Men prominent in the affairs of the ma
ton. leaders in municipal activities, con-
spicuous figures in the business, profess
sional, an1 political life of the city.
mingled at the bier with Representatives OF
the humber walks of life who were anx-
ious TO pay a last tribute, to one who
had endeared himself to them by many
acts of kindness and helpfulness.
At 8 o'clock the house was thrown open
to the public and from that time until
just before the funeral services began a
ceaseless procession of people passed in
single file through the south parior of the
residence in which the body lay in state.
So great was the crush that many were
unable to gain admittapee4 .asE 49, 3
The body OF the late Congressman re-
posed in a mahogany casket with oxidized
silver handles. About the room were dis
played many beautiful floral tributes. Con-
spicuous among these WAS a magnificent
wreath from Mr.. Hsrmer's former col
leagues in the House.
Other striking floral designs were a rock
of ages five feet in height from the Har-
mer Club, a huge ship from the Eighth
Congressional district employees at the
7 lei
roses from the South Brigantine Life Saw
ing Association, a chair from the Union
Republican Club of the Eighteenth ward
The fam!ly's tribute was beautiful pillow
containing the word Father" inscribed
in violets.
The Congressional delegation arrived at
the house shortly before noon, at which
hour the obseques we're held. The ser
vices opened with prayer by the Rev. $. NJ
Leeper, OF Coatesville This was followed
by Scripture reading by the Rev. Charles
c. Albertson, pastor of the late Congress
mans church the First Methodist Episco-
pal, of Germantown, and by the Rev.
Frank Parkins, a former pastor. Both
clergymen made brief addresses eulogistic
of the dead Congressman.
The Rev Mr. Parkns spoke OF his per
sonal recollections of Mr.. Harmer. He
referred particularly to his charity and
beuevolence. of his kindness TO the poor,
and the soldiers widow and orphan. An
impressive part OF the services was the
singing by Mrs. Kellogg, OF the Second
Presbyterian Church. of the selections.
Abide With Ne" and Lead Kindly
Light" and Nearer, My God, TO Thee"
The funera! corteee was headed by sixty
members of the A. c. Hsrner Club. Then
came the committee appointed by Speaker
Henderson to represent the House at the
funeral, which was composed of Repre-
sentatives Bingham. Adams. Young, Nc
Aleer. DalZell Brosius, Wanger Butler.
McCleary. Babcock, Richardson, Catchings,
and Meyer.
The honorary pallbearers followed.
There. in addition to Congressional rep
resentatiyes. were: Leonard Myers, James
R. Gates. Charles W. OTIS, Candy 5. Ty
son, Isaac S. Smythe. Dr. Robert n.
Downs. ST., Joseph B. Altemus, and Alfred
S. Miller. The active pallbearers were
next in order. They were selected from
the Harmer Club as follows: Isaac D. Het-
eel John XelI. William Graham, Re
corder Of Dee Eirdin, and C. c. Reid, a
relative or thc Harmer family. The SER
vices at Laurel Hill We're according to the
Masonic ritual
Among the many who attended the ser
vices at the house were Mayor AShbridge,
Councilman Henderson, City Commissioner
Jacob Wildemore. Charles Voorhees,. Post
master Thomas L. Hicks, General Louis
Wagner. Col. ]. Emory Byrams Lieutenant
futile, John Sutcliffe, Henry X, Boyer.
II. S. Eisenhower Charles Ransley, c. c.
A. Bald, Sheriff Wencel Hartman James
Clancy. W. ). Stewart, David Martin,
Thomas ]. Powers, Receiver OF Taxes VIII
liam J. Roney. Register OF Wills Horatio
B. Hackett, J. r. Gates. c. II. Zlnke, Viii
liam Potter. ]. T. Keator, Wilson II.
Brown, Magistrate PulIinger, James II.
Eckersey, Benjamin F. Hughes. S. Charles
LinppincOtt, Samuel Hocombe. John W.
ton, Samuel W. Ray. J. ". Brooks Will
liam Miller Edward r Dennis, Magistrate
Donnelly. A. L. Acker. DR.. Snellenberg
DR.. W. J. Karpeles, Norris p. Liyezey
Horace f. McKane, the Rev Dr. Bring
hurst. II. W. Fletcher J. r. Wood and IL
p. Stowt.