Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-02-02
|WCTORIA'S COFFIN
CLOSED FOREVER
Royal Family Takes a Last Look al
the Queen and the Casket
Is Sealed.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL
london Will Sec an Unprecedented Gath.
ering of Royalty on the Day of
Observation-Disclosures VII Sends
Message to Mckinley.

Cowes, Isle OF Wight, Jan. rs, 12:45 a
m.-The royal family yesterday took
their last loving look at the features
Of the dead queen.
About 10 o'clock In the morning the
coffin was brought in the bedroom
where were waiting King Edward, EN-
peror William. the duke Of Connaught
Sir James Reid and the royal ladies.
The latter having retired, Sir James
Reid, with reverent hands, assisted by
three trusted household servants and ir
he presence of the king, the emperor
and the duke, removed the body from
he bed to the coffin.
In death 1t was lovelier than IN the
closing days of life. Not a trace of the
ravages OF diseas, was visible.
The servants having retired, Queen
Alexandra, the princesses and the chill.
5Ien were recalled, and, with linger.
ing steps and stified sobs, they passed
slowly before the white robed and
peaceful figure. At the foot, never NOV
mourning crowd had passed, there re.
manned only the son and grandson OF
the dead.
emperor William wept even more
bitterly than the royal ladies. Finally
ne ais retired and the king was left
alone.
Sir James Reid, reckoning to the
servants, who were holding the coffin
Id, asked the kings instructions.
For n few seconds the king stood
s~peechless, stricken with emotion al
the last farewell. Then he said quick.
ly: Close 1t finally. 1t must not be
opened again"
Thus the remains Of Epgland's
greatest ruler were forever closed from
human view. Reverently the coilr
was borne into the dining room. Of
ncers and men from the royal yachts
took their stand around the coffin
over which the king, queen and kaiser
gently laid the robes OF a knight of the
garter, placing at the head a diamond
crown. Beneath lay the royal ensign
while hanging above was the union
Jack.
Funeral Preparations.
Cowes, Jan. 2S.-The body Of Queen
Victoria was removed to the silver
chapel today. The only persons who
were admitted to view the remains to-
day were those whose names appear or
the queens visiting list, officers Of the
army and navy and a few prominent
residents Of the island. 1t was def.
nitely decided that there would be nc
public lying in state.
London, Jan 2S.-Such numbers OF
royalties and representatives OF for.
eign nations are coming to AXE part
In the funeral ceremonies that the
royal palaces will be quite inadequate
to accommodate them and the various
hotels and great residences In London
are being secured.
Berlin, Jan. % The Navy Gazette
publishes a general order IN. which
Emperor William expresses his sym
pathy for the sister navy OF Great
Britain, to which the German navy IL
bound by oft-tried comradship."
His majesty directs that officers anG
officials OF the navy wear mourning
bands upon their left arms for a fort.
night, and that ships flags be flowr
at half-mast until after the funeral.
Potsdam. Jan. 2S.-The crow prince
Frederick Wilhelm, accompanied by
Colonel Pritzelwitz, started for Eng.
land this morning.
Portsmouth, Jan. ga squadron OF
German warships commanded by
Prince Henry of Prussia has been or,
dered to Spithead upon the occasion
If the queens funeral.