The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-22
GENERAL HARR1soN.s FUNERAL
Last Honors-Simplicity or Cere-
monies.

Indianapolis. March 17.-Surrounded
by fully 1900 Of his fellow-citizens the
body of Benjiman Harrison was this
afternoon buried in the family lot i n
Crown Hill cemetery.
Close by the grave were the members
Of his family. President Mckinley and
other visitors Of distinction and the
more intimate friends Of General Har-
r1son- Back a distance OF fifty yards,
behind ropes guarded zealously by a
large force of police. stood with uncov-
T a great multitude who did
not know him 50 we'll as those who
stood beside the freshly upturned
earth. but who honored him and ad-
m1red him quite as muc
The weather was splendid. Bright
sunlight put the warm breath Of spring
in every breeze, and yet in the air was
a touch of winter.
At the Harrison home before the
body was taken to the First Presbyte-
rian church. where the full service was
held today. brief exercises were held
for the members OF the family and i'm
mediate friends Of Genera Harrison.
About $50 persons were present. Mrs.
Harrison did not appear. but remained
in her room until it was time to leave
for the church.
President Mckinley. accompanied by
Governor Durbin. called at the house
about 1 o'clock. At bout the same
time came the members of General
Harrison'S cabinet and others contin-
ually arrived until the short service
was over.
The procession was to have left the
house at 100 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 homo
rary pallbearers came slowly down the
walk leading to the street.
After them came the active p~allbear-
ers bearing the coffin
FTREMEN RUSH THROUGH THE
CROWD.
While the carriages were d~iScharging
their INMATES at the door of the church
the changing Of a fire engine gong was
heard and down the street at top speed
came a fire truck. Its way lay through
h crowd beyond where the police
lines were formed and for a brief space
1t seemed as though accidents must
certainly follow. The driver of the
truck handled his horses skillfully and
all escaped without injury.
1t was 2:3 o'clock when the process
sion arrived at the church.
Immediately in front of the coffin
and behind the pallbearers came Rev.
NJ. L. Haines and Rev. Samuel j. Nice
oils, of ST. Louis.
Immediately following the coffin We're
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Parke and
Mrs. Harrison. With them were Frank
Tibbett, General Harrison's private
secretary and Mrs. Parker. Following
these We're Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Harri-
son Mr.. and Mrs. j. r. Mckee and
Mrs. Eaton. John Scott Harrison and
Carter B. Harrison and other relatives.
When all had taken their seats Mr..
Haines advanced to the front of the
pulpit platform and opened the SER
vice.
After the prayer the choir rendered
the hymn Rock of Ages" in a beauti-
full and impressive manner. This was
General Harrison's favorite hymn, and
it is said it is the only one he even at
tempted to sing.
Following the hymn DIR. NiccollS offer
ed prayer. The services were closed
with a baritone solo. "Hark. Hank, My
Soul" sung by Edward Nell, tie entire
Soul,' sung by Edward Nell. the entire
choir dining in the chorus.
Gathered around the Harrison lot in
Crown Hill cemetery and standing in
solid masses along the winding road
which led to the place were thousands
of persons who watched the funeral
procession take its way through the
grounds. The reverent demeanor of the
aSsemblage az noticeable.
1t was almost 5 o'clock when the line
of relatives and friends came up the
graveled path to the tomb.
The burial service was simple and
brief. Rev. DR.. NiccoIis read the short
committal and burial service and Rev.
Mr.. Haines followed with a prayer. In
stead of following the usual practice of
dropping a handful OF dust on the
coffin, three white carnations were
placed upon the lid.
When the last word had been said
and the service was over the attend
ants lowered the coffin to its place. To
the last it bore the wreath from Mrs.
Harrison and the bouuuet Of lilies of
the valley from little Elizabeth.