Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1901-03-29
FUNERAL Of GEN. HARRISON
THOUSANDS VIEWED REMAINS.
Casket Covered With American fi"s
Abundance of FIOwers-IIay in
state Nine Hours at indianapolis
Procession a Long One.

indianapolis, March l7.-Beneath
canopy OF black placed under the rotunda
of the capitol building, in casket covered
with the silken folds of the Stars and
Stripes, surrounded by thousands OF
blossoms, while over all swung the great
battle flag that flew from the warshlp
Indiana during the naval battle OF Santl-
ago, the body of ex-President Harrison lay
in state for nine hours Saturday. During
that time fully $4,000 persons passed by
the coffin to take a last look at the dis
tinguished dead, and when at 10 o'clock to-
night the capitol doors were finally closed
and the people told that no more could
enter, there were several thousands more
waiting patiently in line.
The body lay in state from l:lO o'clock
in the afternoon until 10 o'clock at night,
and not ouce during the hours was there
a break or halt in the lines which passed
rapidly by on the right and LETT OF the
casket 1t was Indiana's day with her
dead, and most touchingly was the esteem
and honor in which General Harrison was
held by his fellow citizens revealed. In
front of the Harrison home, along the
streets through which the remains were
carried on their way to and from the state
house, in the lines that stretched at times
a half mile from the doors of the capitol,
men, women and children stood for hours
waiting their opportunity to pay tribute
of respect to the dead. 1t was an immense
throng, but one more easily handled, or
rather one that required less handling,
never gathered anywhere. There was no
jostling, no disturbance of any kind.
The Procession.
General Carnahan, the marshal, and his
staff, mounted and attired in citizens
clothing of plain black, directed the move
ments of the various organizations as they
took positions to await the approach of the
other division which was on its way from
the capitol. The boys brigade, soldiers of
the future, erect, with even step, were first
past the staff.
The Seventh regiment, General Harri-
sons old command, soldiers whose fighting
days have gone, came next and waited for
the movement when they should have the
place of honor behind the funeral car.
George H. Thomas post, G. A. R., many
members of which had fought with Gen
eral Harrison during the war, waited in its
turn. The Columbia and Marion clubs led
the clubs as they passed General Carnahan
and staff.
In the House.
Inside the house the magnificent casket,
draped with the banner of the Loyal Le-
gion, had been closed for the time being
and was ready for the journey to the cap
itol. On the casket was large wreath OF
Scotch heather and orchids, the tribute of
General Harrison's daughter, Mary Harri-
son Mckee. The drawing room to the left
of the reception hall, in which the casket
was placed, was a mass of flowers. Presi-
dent Mckinley sent magnificent design
of golden gate roses and lilies of the valley
from the White House conservatory. A
great star, filling one corner of the ROOM
was from the servants of the household.
A Masonic lodge of Indianapolis, composed
of Cinnamon, sent a splendid tribute of a
harp and trumpets. A large basket OF
azaleas came from the state officers. The
offering of the Seventh regiment was its
corps badge, great star of blue immor-
telles.
Shortly before the undertaken completed
his arrangements for the removal of the
casket Mrs. Harrison and little Elizabeth,
both attired in deep mourning, came in the
band and father.
Mrs. Harrison was composed, but showed
plainly the traces of her deep sorrow. She
remained only few minutes and then re-
tired to her apartment. After she had
left the room and just before the casket
was taken away, Russell Harrison and his
wife, with Mr.. and Mrs. Mckee, entered
the room and looked again at the face OF
the dead.
An Old Soldier Mourned.
Early in the morning Mrs. Harrison en-
tered the room where her husband lay to
be alone with him for probably the last
time. AS she stood in the darkened cham
Der the door of the room opened noiselessly
and an old soldier, bent with age and shiv-
ering with the bitter cold of the morning,
came slowly in. He did not see Mrs. Har-
rison, and leaning over the dead face, tears
came to his eyes.
Colonel" he said softly, touching the
white hand on the generals breast,
Colonel"
Mrs. Harrison came to his side and said,
81 am Mrs. Harrison" 'You will excuse
me- the old man said, ''for intruding on
your grief, but 1 want to see my old COM
mander once more, just once more. have
tried very hard to come to Indianapolis to
see him when he was alive and never could.
When heard that he was dead 1 wanted
to give him the old salute for the last
time," and raising his hand to his forehead
in true military fashion, the old man turn
ed away and passed from the room.
Casket Carried Out.
At quarter to IL o'clock General Nc
Kee ordered 1900 infantrymen standing at
attention" on both sides of the street to
present arms, and in the reverential hush
that ensued the casket was carried from