The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-17
N TO DEAD.
INCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED


various regiments. battalions. companies
and batteries the provisions of the new
militia law passed BY the late Legislature.
Lieutenant Governor Robinson and State
Senators McMullen and Sovereign. of Mich
igan, entered the House late in the after
noon and were escorted by Colonel Smith
direct to the catafalque. where they silent
ly viewed the body OF the dead ex-Presi-
dent
COL. HARRISON, WIFE AND CHILL
DREN.
Col. Russell E. Harrison and Mrs. Mary
Harrison Mckee. children of the deceased
by his first wife, spent half an hour in the
Capitol during the afternoon, watching the
impressive scenes of the lying-in-state. Col.
Harrison was accompanied by his wife
and their little son. William Henry Harri-
son. With Mrs. Mckee was her husband.
Major J. X. Mckee. and their son. Master
Benjamin Harrison Mckee. formerly
known as BABY Mckee" The party was
taken by Private Secretary Wilson into
Governor Durbin's office in the executive
rarlor, where they remained a few min
utes. Later they went TO the bridge over
looking the catafalque and sat for a time
looking at the rapidly moving procession OF
80 AAO0A ACAo OC4ON- II IOIl jill DO4AlL Oh
the balcony the party could catch a clear
view of the features of the distinguished
dead, framed in "A striking manner with
the black of the canopy above and the con-
trasting colors of flags and flowers on every
side the whole brightly Illuminated by in
candescents hidden from sight.
A scene that made a deep and lasting
impression upon all who witnessed it was
the spontaneous tribute of aft sction and
respect paid by the officers of the National
Guard to the veterans of the Grand Army
OF the Republic. When the colorbearers
of George II. Thomas Post, G. A. r., came
to the casket, General Mckee and a MEM
Der of his staff reached out their hands
and gently relieved the veterans of their
burden, retaining the standard until the
bearers had had an opportunity to look
upon the features of their dead comrade,
when it was returned with a graceful sa-
lutte. 1t was not given to many TO witness
this beautiful incident, but it was freely
commented upon in terms of highest praise
by those fortunate enough TO be standing
near.
BODY ESCORTED TO THE HOME.
General Harrison's body lay i'm state at
the Capitol last night until 10 o'clock. At
that hour, Notwithstanding the fact that
the people were still passing through at
the rate of seventy-five a minute, the great
doors of the Statehouse were closed and
immediate preparations were begun for
the removal Of the body to the home on
Delaware street. The lid of the casket was
placed in position, and it was then carried
out of the south door to the hearse which
waited in Washington street. The eight
sergeants who served as the military pail
bearers in the morning performed the same
service at night. In front of the hearse
four companies of militia and the battery
forming the Indianapolis battalion waited
In silent array, under the command of
Major Condo, to accord the dead soldier
and statesman the last military honor as
escort.
The committee appointed by the Governor
to receive the body of General Harrison,
represented by Admiral Brown and General
Lew Wallace, and ID. NJ. Ransdell, repre-
senting the family, followed The body from
the Statehouse to the hearse with uncov-
cred heads. When all was ready the cor
tege, headed by the platoon of police, with
out other sound than the monotonous tramp
of the soldiers feet, moved off in the dark
ness as If every man was governed by the
same impulse. The line of march was north
on Capitol avenue to Market street; east on
Market to Circle; north on Meridian street
to North street; east on North 10 Fort
Wayne avenue; thence northeast TO Deia-
ware, and north on Delaware TO the Har-
rison home. Arriving at the residence
the military escort drew up in single ar
ray on the east side of the street and stood
at attention while the body was carried
into the house. The troops were then
marched to their quarters and disbanded.
A CONTINUOUS CROWD.
During the entire evening the crowd
moved by the casket at about the same
rate as it did in the afternoon. The same
quiet and orderly conduct was observed,
and when the great doors of the Capitol
were closed for the night it was the gen.
eral opinion of the officers that such a
great crowd had never been so well handled
before. The evening was totally unmarked
by incident. save the exquisite chorus num-
bers rendered by the indianapolis Maen-
nerchor. The chorus was composed of ff-
ty-four voices, and was under the direc-
tion of Franz Bellinger. The singers &C.
cupied the space on the second floor, i'm
mediately above the body of General Har-
| rison, and as the sweet tones of their
voices were heard the great crowd passing
underneath would pause to listen to the
sad refrain.
Those who passed through the Capitol
during the last hour were mostly Indian
apolis business men. who had closed up
their places of business at an early hour
| in order to obtain a last look at the dead
/ statesman.
~