Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-04
THE MAINE VICTIMS.
The Dead Of the Sunken Battleship
Buried In Arlington Cemetery.
The PRESIDENT ON The GROUND.
Many Other Distinguished Guests Also
Present. At the Last Rites-The sailors
Buried with All the H0nors
Of War

Washington, Dec. 29.-Upon the
windy heights of Arlington cemetery
the Maine dead, brought from Ha-
vana by the battleship Texas ycster-
day, were laid away in their final
resting places with simple religious
services and the impressive honors Of
war in the presence Of the president,
members of his cabinet, officers OF
the army and navy and other of
ficers of the government A cabinet
officer, surveying the flag draped cof-
fins before the ceremony began, said.
"The lives of those men cost Spain
her colonies" But there was no note
of triumph IN he scene yesterday.
with a touch Of sadness aid solemn
gravity the nation performed lis
duty to the dead and gave It's defend
ers Il Christian burial at home in soil
halIowed by patriotic dead
4 soft mantle Of snow covered the
earth, muiiling the beat of the horses
hoois, the slow turning carriage
wheels and the tramp Of soldiers and
sailors as they approached the burial
place. The site is commanding one.
IN front the broad bosom Of the ice
fettcred Potomac river, beyond the
shaft of Washington, the dome of the
capitol and the sprawling city; to
the right Che choked embrasures of
old Fort Mcpherson and be- wecn the
graves Of the heroic dead of Santi-
ago; to the left the stately mansion
of Lee and to the rear through the
vStas of snow laden pines and
cedars the silent army of the patri-
otic dead of the civil war sleeping
rank upon rank in their last bivouac
The Baskets inferred yesterday ranged
row on row. Over each was spread
an American ensign, upon which lay
a wreath of gaax leaves. Around the
enclosure shoulder to shoulder, the
yellow of their coat Innings forming
a band of color, were drawn up the
cavalry of Fort Myer; to the right
was a battalion of marines from the
navy yard with their spiked helmets
and scarlet capcs turned back; to the
left detachment of iackies from the
Texas in navy blue; in the flag
draped stand in the rear, the presi
dent and his cabinet Admiral Dewey,
Mai. Gen. Miles and distinguished
group of army and navy officers in
their SNOWY dress uniforms while all
around pressed the throng of people
who had bra,cd TIE snow and biting
cold to pay their last respects to the
dead. Among these were many rel
ntiycs ami friends of thos, who had
hccn lost in the disaster
There was tender appropriateness
in the fact that Capt. Siesbee, who
was in command of the Maine when
she was blown up, had charge of the
ceremonies in honor of his men and
that Father Vhidwick, who was chap
lain of the Maine, was there to per
torn the last rites. Three others who
lived through that awful night in VA
vana harbor were at the side of the
graves of their comrades, Lieut.. Com
mander wainwright, who was eX-
ecutive officer of the Maine and who
sunk the pluton and the Furor at
Santiago; Lieut., +, c. Bowers, who
was assistant engineer of the Name,
and jeremiah Shea, fireman on the
Maine, who was blown ont of the
stoke hole of the ship through the
debris, escaping uninjured most mi
Eaculously,
Slowly, solcmnly, the full marine
band broke the deep hush putting
forth the sad, sweet strains of the
dirge, Safe in the Arms of Jesus"
and there were twitchng 0s lips and
wet eyes as Chaplain Clark, of the
naval academy at Annapolis came
forward and took his place under a
canvas covered shelter in the open
space in front of the dead The Pro-
testant services were very simple,
Chaplain Clark read the burial scrv-
ice Of the Episcopal church and then
gave way to Father Chadwick, who
was assisted by Revs. Poloind and
-.own ana two purple-robed AGO
lytes. With head beared to wintry
blast, the Names chaplain read me-
mortal service according to the rites
of the Catholic church, consigned the
dead, blessed the ground, repeated
the Lords Prayer and concluded with
fervent appeal for the repose of the
souls of the departed.
A detachment of marines in com.
mand of Capt. Kormony then
marched to the right of the graves
and fired three volleys over the dead
and in the deep stiffness that fol-
lowed the crash the clear, silvery
notes of bugle rang out the sol
diers' and sailors last good night
With the sounding of taps the cere-
monies ended, The president and his
party and other distinguished guests,
the military and the crowds then
withdrew.
And thus after two years the Aead
of the Maine have been brought home
and in ground reserved for the ma
TONS heroes, have been buried with