The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-20
MANY MOURNED.
Funeral Of Mrs. Rhoda Harris
Esian Largely Attended.

The Church Of the Redeemer. North
Main and Lippitt streets. was filled with
sorrowing relatives and friends this
morning who assembled there to pay
last tribute of affection TO a noble wom-
an whose well rounded years had been
filled with service for others.
For two hours previous to the service,
which was at IL o'clock the body OF
Rhoda Harris Esten lay i'm state i'm "A
rich broadcloth casket placed I'm the ves-
tibule of the church. The casket was
half hidden meath a wreath of flowers
and the features OF the dead wore a
singularly life like and peaceful express
sion. Between these hours n large num-
ber of persons came 10 the church tn
look once more upon the kindly face or
one whose gentle motherly ministrations
and deeds of kindness had won for her
the respect and esteem OF all who knew
her.
Among these were her fellow teachers;
former pupils: parents of the boys and
girls whom she had helped along life's
pathway and scores OF the boys of the
special schools, in whom she had always
deep personal interest aside from her
connection with them as a supervisor.
During the time that the body lay in
state Il was guarded by DIR. Horace -TaE-
bell and j. Milton Hall.
At II o'clock the funeral procession en-
tered the church the body being placed
just outside the chancel rail. The floral
tributes here were strikingly beautiful.
Among them were many large and
beautiful pieces among which may be
mentioned those from the office of the
superintendent OF schools; from the spe-
cial teachers Of the city; from the boys
OF the special schools. from j Milton Hall
principal of the Doyle avenue school.
where Mrs. Esten formerly taught aud
from the Sarah f. Doyle club Of this
city of which Mrs. Esten was a member.
Or. Horace Tarbell sent also - personal
remembrance as did many other teach
ers and personal friends.
The funeral service was conducted by
Rev Samuel J. Webb, a personal friend
OF the deceased aud the rector OF Chrlsts
church. South Providence There was no
culogy, the service consisting only OF
the Episcopalian ritual for the dead and
the hymn "Bsrk Hark, My Soul. recit-
ed by the officiating clergyman.
During the service the hymn "One
Sweetly Solemn Thought was sweetly
sung. To the old familiar tune. by Miss
Grace Edith Baker and Miss Elizabeth
Tripp Northup OF the choir OF the First
Ia ptist church
Peace. Perfect Peace was also sung
Miss Emma y Williams one OF the spe-
cial teachers q. music ia the Providence
schools. presiding AT the organ.
The ushers az the church were Mr..
Hoffman s. Dorchester of the department
or public schools AT the CITY Han and
Martin $ flaming. principal Of the OK
ford street school
The bearers, chosen from among the
grammar masters OF tho Providence
schools. were a. follows: j Milton Han.
formerly the principal Of the Doyle ave.
nue. grammar schools Martin .. Kings
ley. the present principal OF DoSlc ave-
nue.; T.. ~. Howard principal of the Cam
dace street ~rhuuf--iSaac -. NinslOw.
principal of Thayer street. Joseph v
Mowry, principal OF Federal street and
j. w. y. Rich Of the Messcr street
school
~ the conclusion of the funeral rites
the body was borne 90 Burriiville. the
old home Of Mrs. Estcn. and there laid
10 rest. in the family lot. beside the
grave ~ her husband. who. many years
since, was gathered to his fathers