Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-28
Remembrance of an Old Resident as
to Clay, Benton, John Quincy
Adams and Others.


half century of years gone by Chat is on
June 20, 1852. Fastened in my memory is
the funeral procession from his last earth
ly abode to the Capitol There were no car
riages in the funeral cortege. The coffin
containing the body was borne upon car
draped in mourning. The body was escorted
by two local military companies and in the
line of march were senators. members OF
the House of Representatives and citizens
generally. The body was carried up the
portico (the east DorticO) to the great ro-
-tunda ard from there to the Senate cham
Der, where the Rev. c. NJ. Butler cha plain
of the Senate. delivered the funeral sermon.
The text of the preacher have never for
gotten. 1t was taken from the Prophet Jere-
miah-'Now is the strong staff broken and
the beautiful rod Mr. Clays body rested
in state in the rotuntia for a short time
after the services in the Senate chamber
and were then put on a train and taken
to Kentucky.
Calhoun Of South Carolina
my memory of the deaths of famous
men, said the venerable resident, "even
goes back beyond that of Mr.. Clay. 1 can
recall the death of the compeer of the great
Kentuckian. John Caldwell Calhoun Of
South Carolina. This great man died March
81, 1850 His lodgings at the time of his
demise were In the old Capitol (the building
which during the war of rebellion was
known as the old Capitol PRISON., and for
several weeks preceding his death he had
by reason of pulmonary troubles been pre-
vented from attending the sessions of the
Senate. Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Webster were
among the list of pallbearers at the funeral
here of Mr. Calhoun.
THAT was wonderful triumvirate--those
three men," continued the talker. 'It was
not permitted the last of the trio to enter
the eternal portals from the scenes of his
highest honors. Daniel Webster died at his
home. Marshfleld Mass. 1 recollect that the
Voc mi
his death was announced and on the Sum-
day afterward the pastors of many of the
Washington houses of worship alluded to
his life and his services to his country in
their sermons. Mr.. Webster's death occur
red just about four months later then Mr..
Clays. He was not in the Senate at the
time of his death. but was the Secretary Of
State In the Senate. when his demise was
officially announced great men pronounced
eu!ogies. Among these were such states
men as Messrs Seward of New York, Stock
ton of New Jersey, Preston of Kentucky.
Cass of Michigan and Butler of South Caro-
lima
Benton of Missouri. u;
Another great American statesman
whose death occurred in the SOS was
Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri. Mr..
Benton, who all know had been senator.
was at the time of his death a member of
tine House of Representatives. He had
been suffering for some time with a can-zj
cerous affection of the stomach, and had
premonition of his coming dissolution; so
strong was 1t that only few days before
his death he sent note addressed from his
residence on c street to his old friends,
Senator Samuel Houston of Texas and
George w. Jones of Tennessee, asking them
to take care that in the event of his death,
no notice thereof should be taken by Con-
gress. Congress. however. did adjourn in
order to give members an opportunity to
attend Col. Benton's funeral. A young
,f}Snn of ha ad at
the same house and on the same day, and
the two were borne on the same bier to the
graveyard in St Louis, where they were
Inferred.
.",rhe pallbearers at Col. Benton's funeral
were from among the best-known men of
the nation. They were Gen. Jesup, u s. A.;
Gen. Sam. Houston of Texas, Gov. Floyd
of Virginia. Mr.. w. W. Seaton. mayor of
Washington; James B. Clay of Kentucky,
". H. Appleton of New York. Jacob Hull
of Missouri and John C. Rives of Washing
of any sort. The late Rev. Byron Sunder-
land officiated in the religious exercises.
John Quincy Adams.
Among many others prominent in the
nations Congress who died in Washington
can be recalled. though probably by very
few of the residents of Washington living
now. the death Of John Quincy Adams,
who was, all know, one of the nations
early Presidents He was stricken while
sentatiyes and never recovered from the
attack of paralysis. ne died in the Speak
ers room day or two after the event, his
last words being, This Is the end of earth.
Chief Justice fancy. at the opening of the
Supreme Court next day, announced the
loss met by the country. and President
Polk in general orders announced the sad
event There was pubic meeting of
citizens held at the city hall. at which
Mayor Seaton presided and John F. Callan
was secretary. this meeting COM
mittee was appointed to formulate resolu-
lions requisite to the occurrence.
This committee was composed of Joseph
A. Bradley J. IL. Crawford. p. r. Fendall.
George Sweeny, John w. Maury, A. d.
Bache and John ID. Barclay. The funeral
sermon. which was preached from the Cap
itol. was delivered by the Rev. r, R. Guriey,
the text of the discourse being the verse
from Job reading And thine age shall be
clearer than the MONDAY; thou shalt be
as the morning; and thou shalt be secure.
because there is hope. The remains were
placed In the receiving vault of the Con-
gressonal cemetery and finally deposited
in the family vault at Quincy. Mass.
Mr. Adams was an honorary member of
the well-known old Perseverance Fire En-
CINE Company of this city, and the building
occupied by that organization was COM
pletely draped in mourning.
I'm the military part of the funeral pro-
cession were the Ringgold Cavalry and the
Mount Vernon Guards of Alexandria and
the Washington Light Infantry and Ma
tiOnal Blues VI ILLS caty.
Vice President Wilson.
Another death which occurred at the
Capitol was that of Vice President Wilson,
rot so long ago as to be forgotten by any
one of the present generation. He had been
formerly senator from Massachusetts, and
a colleague OF Charles Sumner. He was
taken Ill at the Capitol and died In the Vice
Presidents ROOM The late Marshall Jew
ell, Postmaster General was the only per-
soy nj distinction with Mr. Wilson nv or
he breathed his last. His remains. as they
rested in state In the old rotunda. were
viewed by a multitude OF citizens.
Charles Sumner, that stalwart old aboli-
ZIONIST, died at his residence In this city,
adjoining the Arlington Hotel From the
beginning of his Illness to the end he was
attended by close and loving friends.
THE last death of a statesman universally
known, revered and honored was that of
Marcus A. Hanna. The echoes OF the bells
that tolled his requiem have not yet died
away in million American hearts,
Ghaoriuo Him TN