The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-19

Indianapolis, Ind, March 16.-Be-
meath a canopy of black, placed in the
rotunda of the capitol building, the
casket covered with silken folds Of the
Stars and Stripes, surrounded by thou
sands of blossoms, while over all swung
the great battle flag that flew from the
warship Indiana during the naval bat
tie of Santiago, the body of ex-Presi-
dent Harrison lay in state for nine
hours today.
During that time fully $4,000 persons
passed by the coffin to take a last look
at the distinguished dead and when at
10 o'clock the capitol doors were finally
closed and the people told that no more
could enter, several thousands more
were waiting patiently in line. The
body lay in state from ITO o'clock in
the afternoon until 10 o'clock at night
and, not once during the hours was
there break or halt in the lines which
passed rapidly by on the right and left
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 reveal
ed 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 half mile from
the doors of the capital building, men,
: women and children stood for hours
waiting their opportunity to pay trib-
ute of respect to the dead.
A dense throng had gathered around
the Harrison home on Delaware street
for hours before the military escort ar
rived Down Delaware street, much
farther than the eye could reach the
crowd packed the sidewalks to the
door Of the residences along each side
of the way For thirteen squares, all
the distance to Washington street,
tens of thousands of people stood for
hours, not from idle curiosity or the
desire to view an Unprecedented spec
tacle, but from the simple wish to ex-
press by their presence the respect and
admiration in which General Harrison
was held by his fellow citizens of In
dianapolis.
Two hours before the police details
and the military at the head of the
funeral procession from the capitol be-
gan to appear around the corner Of
Thirteenth street from Pennsylvania
2 avenue, the crowd began assembling.
For the most part it was made up Of
women and children, although consid-
cradle portion consisted of men-men
in the lower walks of life who had
stopped work for the day or long
enough to show respect by standing
with uncovered heads while the body
of the honored dead man passed on it's
way to the state house.
After the military escort of three reg
iments of infantry and one battalion of
artillery arrived from the state capitol
an hours wait ensued. During this
hour Mrs Harrison, with little Eliza
beth, both attired in deep mourning.
came into the apartment to view the
face Of their husband and father.
Mrs. Harrison was composed, but
showed plainly the traces Of her deep
sorrow She remained only few min-
utes and then retired to her apartment
After she had left the room and just
before the casket was taken away Rus
sell B. Harrison and his wife, with MIR
and Mrs. Mckee, entered the room and
looked again at the face of the dead.
Early in the morning Mrs. Harrison
entered the room where her husband
lay, to be alone with him for probably
the last time. AS, she stood in the
darkened chamber, the door of the room
opened noiselessly and an old soldier
bent with age, and shivering in the
bitter cold of the morning, came slowly
in. He did not see Mrs. Harrison and
leaned over the dead face and tears
came to his eyes.
Colonel" he said softly, and touch
ed the white hand on the generals
breast-"Colonel"
Mrs. Harrison came to where he wa.
standing and said: II am Mrs. Har
rison."
You will excuse me- the old mar
said, '.for intruding on your grief, bu
wanted to see my old commander onc'
more. just once more. / tried yer!
hov 10 20 Tvl %0