Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-03-21
FINAL TRIBUTE PAID
The Dead Ex. President Viewed BY
Thousands 1t the Capitol.
The LAST RITES ar The CEMETERY


indianapolis, Ind, March ls.--It
was after noon Saturday when the
body of Gen. benjamin Harrison was
borne from his former home on North
Delaware street and carried to the
capitol where, until II o'clock at
night, it lay in state, viewed by thou
sands of people assembled to pay the
final tribute to the dead ex-president.
The casket was borne by the pail
bearers to the hearse, and this, sur
rounded by the members of the Seven
teenth Indiana regiment, commanded
by the general in the civil war,
formed the center of the funeral pro-
Ccssion.
All the military of the state, all the
former members of the Harrison
cabinet, members of the &. A. H., Sen
ators IIcverdge and Fairbanks, mem
bers of the clubs of which Gen. IIar.
rison was % member, and thousands
of friends formed the escort that went
afoot to accompany the body to the
staiehouse.
At the Harrison home yesterday be-
fore the remains were taken to the
First Presbyterian church, where the
full service was held, there were
brief exercises for the members OF
the family and more immediate
friends of Gen. Harrison. Possibly
$50 people were present. President
Mckinley, accompanied by Gov. Dur
bin, called at the house about one
o'clock. At about the same time
came the members of President Har-
rison's cabinet, and others continually
arrived until the short services We're
over. The people sat in the parlors,
| filed the halls and q number of them
snt upon the stairs, while Dr. Haines
rcad n short passage from the Scrip
lures and made a few remarks touch
ing the life and character of Gen.
Harrison, as did DR.. Niccol, of St.
Louis. and after brief prayer by DR.,
lIaines the services We're over. The
procession was to have LETT the house
at 30 o'clock. but it was fully 80
minutes later than that when every
thing was in readiness. The doors
were thrown wide open and the hon
orsry pall-benrerS came slowly down
the walk leading to the street. After
them came the active pall-benrers
hearing the casket, which they placed
in the hearse The route of the pro
crsson was south ON Delaware street
then one block east TO Pennsylvania
| street and thence direct to the church
q total distance of T. squares. Twelve
| mounted policemen. commanded by
! Capt. Dawson, led the way and
| cleared the streets.
It was o:30 o'clock when the pro.
| cession arrived at the church and for
one hour and 20 minutes prior to that
time the church had been packed to
| its utmost capacity.
The honorary and actual pall-bear-
ers came slowly up the north center
aisle, filing into the seats at the side
The ushers, forming in column near
the door, came up the south aisle,
acting as an escort to the president,
who was accompanied by Mrs. Dur.
nm. As the president reached the
pew set apart for him the ushers
turned and faced him. He bowed his
thanks for the honor, and then, usher
ing Mrs Durbin into the pew, followed
after. Gov. Durbin and Secretary
Cortelyou filled up the pew.
After the services in the church
President Mckinley came to the grave
with Mrs. Durbin and stood with her
during the brief service. The air had
begun to be chilly and the wind be.
gan to blow cold, but while some
others around the grave to protect
their heads barely raised their hats
the president kept his in his hands
throughout the service. The burial
service was very simple and very brief
When the last word had been said
and the service was over, the attend
ants lowered the coffin to its place
10 the last II bore the wreath from
Mrs. Harrison and the bouquet Of
lilies OF the valley from little Eliza
beth. On the coffin was placed
heavy walnut protecting cover and
then the granite roof Of the tomb wa'
lowered and closed.
After the services at the grave wers
over and the people had left, carts Of
earth were umoaded at the gravesld'
and the tomb filed and flowers placed
over all. As the people slowly left thu
cemetery the distant cannon, firms
the national salute. came to theil
ears. and by the time the last gun wal
fired the night was down and TIL
grave alone.
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Tha Nun,ber NJ Chrlstiuns Ktlled