The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-24

ed from the half-open door Of her al
joining room.
The double file of body bearers nov
stepped into the room and raising tie
fiag-wrapped casket to their shoulders,
bore 1t through the open entrance.
A solemn hush fell upon the multi
tude IS the bearers advanced with
measured tired Not a bugls blast wen
up; not a strain OF the hymns the deal
ruler had loved so well. The scene was
majestic in its silence. As the cask6
was borne alone above the line q
heads could be seen the EMBEDDING Stars
and Stripes, and on top the great mas
of white roses and delicate lavende
orchids. Tenderlv the coffin was com
mitted to the hearse and the silence
was broken as the order TO marc1
passed from officer to officer.
PROCESSION TO THE CHURCH.
The great procession now took up rs
mournful journey. passing under The
sweep Of giant arches robed in blacf,
between two living lines of humanit
massed along the streets covering
housetops and filling the windows. The
church bells still were tollfng. mingliny
their dismal tones with the cadence Of
h funeral dirge.
Preceding the funeral car, and form
ing the first division rode General Tor
rance. national commander Grani
Army of the republic, with a long lin,
of grizZled veterans. After then
moved the national guard of the stat
of Ohio, platoon after platoon, unde'
command Of General Charles A. Dick
Then came the solemn funeral cortege
the presidents favorite command, troop
a, riding ahead.
Al the head Of each Of the coal black
horses drawing the hearse marched a
soldier. The heads of the horses bore
tall black plumes, and over them were
thrown pals of black.
AT either side Of the hearse marched
the guard of military n ava honor,
h generals on the right led by Cen
eral Miles and h admirals On the left
led by Admiral Farquhar.
Then came the long line of carriages,
for the relatives n friends n after
them the innumerable military and
civic organizations that had assembled
to pay this last honor to the fallen
chief. In the line were division after
division of knights Templar, knights
of Pythias. Masons. Odd Fellows and
representatives of beneficial orders,
chambers of commerce., as we'll as del
egations of citizens from cities and
towns throughout h state and coun-
try.
AT THE CHURCH.
1t was $50 o'clock when the process
SlOLi pdSStu liz COuIl HOuSe anu luEl-
ed into TuscaraWas street to the stately
stone edifice where the funeral services
were to be held. At the church en-
trance were drawn up deep files Of sol
diers, with ~bayonets advanced, keep
ing a clear area for the advancing
casket n the long train of mourners.
The hearSe halted while President
Roosevelt and members of the cabinet
alighted. Again they grouped them
CnlVlC Of aithnr eide ~ tho anfrn 40
and with uncovered heads awaited the
passage of the casket. Then the flower
covered coffin was brought from the
hearse and as it passed within the
black draped entrance, the president
and his cabinet followed within the ed
ifice. The mourners, too, passed in
side, but the stricken widow was not
among them. She had remained in the
old home, alone with her grief.
The scene within the church when
the caske was carried in on the
brawney shoulders of the soldiers and
sailors was profoundly impressive. A
black border twenty feet high, relieved
at intervals by white bands falling to
the floor, swept completely around the
interior. Only the gilt organ pipes,
back of the pulpit rose above it. The
vestibules on either side of the chancel
leading n the church were black tun-
nels, the stained glass windows on
either side were framed in black ano
the balcony of the Sunday school to the
rear thrown open into the church by
large sliding doors was shrouded in
the same sombre colors. Graceful
black streamers festooned along the
grained arches of the nave formed a
black canopy above the chancel. From
this directly above the flag covered
catafalque On which the casket was tc
rest, hung a beautiful silk banner, its
blood red and snow white folds tied
midway with a band of crepe.
MAGNIFICENT FLORAL DECORA-
TIONS.
But it was the floral display at the
front Of the church which filled the
whole edifice with glory. The centre
of it all was a great wreath Of Amer.
lean beauties framing a black border.
ed portrait of President Mckinley
From it, extending outward and up
| ward. was perfect wealth of gorgeous
blossoms. The effect was as if a great
rushing wave of color had broken into
flowers at the foot Of the bier. 1t wa:
exquisite. Words melt away powerleSs
before the tender beauty. Purple anG
green were the dominant notes
orchids, v~iolets, palms and evergreen:
| against the Sombre background
There were many handsome pieces
Against the walls on either side were
floral flags and Upon h pulpit rested
an urn in white carnations, broken a
the base to represent the water flow
ing from it. At either side Of this urI
were the cross OF the Knights Templal
| and the crown of the Knights Of Pyth
las, while to the east was the squar'
| and compass of Masonry.
Almos directly above the supper
for the coffin a sunburst Of lights gilt
tered like brilliant stars in a blacl
sky. The light from without cam
dimly through the stained glass win
| dowS.
Under the ~quivering folds Of tn,
starry banner, with the lights shed
ding their effulgence from above, tn
fragrance of the flowers lowering a
about n the music of Beethoven
grand funeral march pulsing from tn
organ the body bearers gently lowered
the flag draped and flower adorned cot
fin to its support.
The members of the Royal Legion
| Governor Nash. Governor McMillin, o
Tennessee and Governor Longino, o
| Mississippi, each Of whom with an un
formed staff had entered the church
| filled up the most westerly Of the sec