Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-08-01
SCENES OF SORROW
AT The VATICAN
Solemn and Impressive Cere-
monies Mark the Period
Of Mourning.
THE DOCTORS T
Make a Detailed Report OF the Condi-
ton of the August Patient as Dis
closed by Their Careful
Examination.

lNOuiC, July til V II "a 49, ot~
ceremonies Of Pope Leo's funeral com
menced today, when the body lay In
state in the throne room of the vatican
from 80 q. m until ! y. IN.
All diplomats accredited to the vad-
can, Roman princes, dukes, barons and
other representatives OF the ancient
families remaining faithful to the pa
pacy, all high dignitaries OF the church,
archbishops, bishops, patriarchs ana
heads Of religious orders passed In SOL
emn procession before the bier OF the
late pontiff. The papal throne had
been removed and In Its place under
the famous red silken canopy, on q
small bed. lay the body OF Leo XIII.
over the bed was thrown Il red damask
covering on which the body reposed,
robed in white yectments, with the
red rochet and Camau-o hood. and on
the feet slippers embroideie - with gold.
The thin hands were clasped over the
chest and held tightly a small ivory
crucifix. Around this was entwined
a rosary Of mother-of-pearl set In gold.
ON the third finger OF the right hand
the huge emerald pontihcal ring
sparkled. In striking contrast with the
CHASTITY face was the purple hood drawn
down over the head almos to the eye
brows and over the ear The sunken
cheeks n jaws brought the nose and
chin nearly together on the mouth.
which was reduced almost to nothing,
though no signs OF agony were visible.
Might Have Been Long Dead.
It was the corpse of a man who
might have been dead fifty years.
on the other side, lei the shoulders,
stood the members of the noble guard.
erect and motionless, only the faint
CULVER of drawn swords giving any In
dication they were not mere statues.
The ordeal of the soldiers In the heated
chamber IL so intense that they have to
be constantly relieved.
1t the four corners Of the bed stood
lighted candles ten feet high. On the
right OF the body. close to the bed. was
q small table covered with white linen
cloth on which were w candles,
throwing a glimmer OF light on a cruel
fix between them. At the foo of the
cross was a crystal bowl hled with
holy water, from which each cardinal,
whenever he passed the body, %sprinkled
II and uttered Il benediction. Beside
this were the devotional books used by
Pope Leo In his lifetime.
The silence was only broken by the
solemn chanting of six Franciscan per
Itentiaries, who were kneellng or stand
ing at a bench at the foot OF the bier,
M continued incessant supplications.
To the left and right on the walls two
great gold and marble brackets sup
ported many branches OF candelabra,
but they were not lighted, nor were the
lamps on the marble columns, at each
corner Of the throne room.
In a Dim Light.
The only light thrown on this SOL
emn scene came from the candles be-
side the body and from faint rays of
sunlight which filtered through the
two windows, curtained with white
silk and rich green h~angings The red
damask tapestries with which the room
was hung gave a touch OF royal splen-
dor to the surroundings. Otherwise 1t
WAS almost q simple scene for the
death rites Of q pope. Nc carpet was
OF the marble floor, not O flower WAS
10 be seen. according to the strict rit-
ual OF the last honors Of the church to
q pontiff. AS each lay or clerical digni-
tary entered the throne room he ad-
vanced TO the side of the dead, tool a
last look at the body, then withdraw
Ing. Some knelt In momentary prayer
and crossed themselves.
A Brilliant Spectacle
Outside the t~hrone-room the hong
corridors OF the vatican presented a
brilliant spectacle. At the entrance to
the court the St Damasco pontincal
gendarines were drawn up and rendered
military honors as each carriage drove
In. The diplomats wore the full uni
for Of princes and other dressed In
deep black. From st. Damasco court
they passed up the marble staircase
into Clermentino hall, where the Swiss
guard ranged in double columns on
either side. Next they entered the hall
grooms In red livery led the way to
the hall Of Swiss, where a company Of
.gendarmes, wearing heavy black chap
skirt-tight white ~trousers AMI
high cavalry boots stood guard at the
Threshold of the ante-chamber con-
tanning q platoon Of the Palatine
guard. Further along they passed
through the hall Of Tapestry and
chapel of the pope.
forms, glittering brass helmets and sill
yer sashes, the latter covered with
crepe, kept the last watch at the door
OF the apartment Of their dead master.
Outside the vatican an interested
crowd, including a number of Italian
soldiers watched the coming and GO
Ing Of the privileged mourners.
IN the meanwhile the congregation Of
cardinals met In the hall of the consis-
tory under the presidency of Cardinal
Oreglia. 1t was determined to arrange
for the accommodation of the cardi- |
nails during their enforced seclusion al
the conclave In exactly the same man
ner as when Pope Leo was elected.
Merry Delval today DOL
the duties of secretary Of the con
congregation.
At S o'clock this afternoon the doors
Of the throne room were closed and
the Franciscan penitentiaries, assisted
by the attendants Of the late pontiff,
dressing the body In the full
pontihcal robes. At s a procession viii
be formed and the body taken to ST
Peter'6.