Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-28
PRINCE AT THE TOMB
Royal German Visitor Views the sarco-
phagus of Washington.
BEsTowS TWO WREATHs As MEMORIAL
Pays Visit to the Old Homestead Of First
President.
PLANTS LINDEN TREE ON THE GROUND
Prince Henry's Entrance Into Capital is a
Notable Event.
'Tows TWO WREATHs As MEMORIAL
'LANTs LINDEN TREE ON THE GROUND
CAVALRY TROOPS ESCORT HIM TO EMBASSY
After Another Day of Cordial Enter
.tRinment the Brother of Emperor
william Dimes Quietly with
Presidents Family.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Prince Henry OF
Prussia journeyed to Mount Vernon this
tomb Of Washington. He approached the
grave of the first president with barred
head, and that there might be nothing
irreverent in the ceremony, asked the hold
ers Of dozen cameras. who stood around,
to refrain from photographing him.
The royal visitor and his party we're
taken to Mount Vernon by special train
over the Washington, Arlington & Mount
Vernon railway. Two large observation
cars were provided, and from them the
prince saw the long bridge and the head
lands OF northern Virginia, historic TO
Americans since colonial days.
IL was $3.50 o'clock when the special de-
parted and the run to Mount Vernon occu-
pied hfty-hve minutes. Prince Henry
walked to the Washington home and was
driven from there down the slope Of the
hill to the tomb. When the iron gate OF
the tomb was opened he removed his cap
and entered.
Lays wreaths on Tomb.
Two large. .wreaths, made at Washington
by his order, had already been sent to the
tomb, and, taking them up, he formally
set them in place. A group of over 100
men, who stood in the approach to the
grave, uncovered and with their silence
added to the spirit of solemnity.
Fifty feet down the sward that falls
away from the tomb Prince Henry planted a
linden tree. The tree had been set in place
prior to his arrival, and taking spade the
prince filled the earth in around its roots.
The prince was taken to the old Washing
ton house by superintendent H. H. Dodge.
and there met a delegation of the Mount
Vernon Ladies' association, headed by Mrs,
Justice Van Raenssalaer Townsend OF New
York.
He spent a few minutes looking at the
Washington relics and departed for Wash
ington. Large crowds watched his return
to Washington.
Amusing Incident Occurs.
Many of the people of Alexandria mistook
Lieutenant Commander Schmidt Won
schwind for the priuce ana their error led
to an amusing incident. There is some
general resemblance between the two and
when the crowd singled out the young
naval officer and cheered him the prince
was delighted. He called Chief Wilkie Of
the secret service and laughingly gave him
this order:
''Mr. Wilkie, please tell Mr.. Schmidt Won
Schwind to be very careful what he does
now, for he must remember that / have
a reputation to sustain"
The lieutenant commander was embar-
rassed by the enthusiastic attention of the
crowd and did not thoroughly appreciate
the humor of the prince He tried to be
unconcerned over the clamor Of the crowd
and would neither bow or salute In an
swer to the cheers.
II was 4:30 when washington was
reached on the return trip and the prince
was driven at once to the German en-
bassy.
Dimes with President.
Prince Henry, accompanied by Ambassa-
dor Won Holleben, dined at the white
House tonight with President and Mrs.
Roosevelt. The dinner WAS entirely un-
oficial and OF a personal family character
and owing to the Mckinley exercises max
ing this day one of mourning, there were
no formal toasts or exchanges, the purpose
being TO permit a more intimate personal
exchange than was possible during the for
malitles OF ofncial interchange last Monday.
Others present at the dinner were; Gen
eral Won Plessen Of the princes stan, Miss
Roosevelt, Miss Crow and Senator and Mrs.
Lodge.
Arrival In Washington.
The special train carrying Prince
Henry OF Prussia his suite and
| the American escort, arrived In
Washington on schedule time. It left
Jersey City at 1870 o'clock this morning
and at o'clock rolled into the Pennsyi-
vania depot here. There was no delay In
the folded districts Of New Jersey but the
train was slowed down whenever there wac
possibility Of danger. Admiral Evans
honorary aide to Prince Henry, was indls-
posed and when he left the train at Wash
ington II was with the intention OF resting
until the southern and western trip com.
mences. The prince was met at the depot
by Assistant Secretary OF State Pierce and
Count Quadt OF the German embassy and
escorted by cavalry and police. was driven
| to the embassy.
crowd of several thousand people hat
gathered at the depot. but there was M
cheering. At the German embassy a larg,
crowd had also gathered. The embassy
was again handsomely decorated with tn,
imperial cOlors and with garlands Of myrtl,
and pine.
Troops Escort.
| At $40 O'Clock the cavalry escort, con
sisting Of troops of the First and seconi
cavalry. galloped up ssachusetts avenu,
and swung into battalion front facing tn,
| embassy. Prince Henry drove in an opei
carriage. nodding and smiling in recogni
tion OF the applause and returning eacl
military salute. Assistant Secretary o
| State Hill sat beside him, with Captain
Cowles, naval aide to President Roosevelt
on the other seat. The guard Of honor o
ten strapping United States engineer
brought their guns to present" as b
stepped inside. On the threshold OF tn
embassy the prince paused, and facing tn
long lines Of troopers with saluting saber
and the knots Of ladies who had brave
their way through the lines, gave a sweep
ing bow as he turned and went inside.
Within the embassy the prince had a
his disposal the handsome suite OF apart
ments on the first floor. Here there wa
opportunity for brief rest from the con
stant round OF festivities-there were n
formalities during the morning.