The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-31
4 NOTABLE DEMONSTRATION
St. Paul's Filled to Its Utmost capac- Ity and Thousands In the Street. Imposing Ceremonial and
 Military Parade.

l O'ReilIy was gently lald 10 rest yester- 1 dav on A beautiful little knoll, overlook ing the great city which knew so well inc touch of his hand, ard under the shadow of St. vincent's hospital which lives as a monument to his memory. As thousands of men, women and chil- dren, representing every creed known to religion, walked past this beautiful spot with tear-dimmed eyes, and voices hushed, it was a sweet and silent tribute to the memory of one who had lived for the uplifting of humanity and an inspira- ton to those who would attain higher ideal of life. The grandeur of an imposing ceremony had gone, but silent sorrow re- mained.
 The little green sward was almost hid den beneath mass of flowers, and as the mourning friends picked their way through the floral offerings in their en- deayor to have one last look at the vault, which contained the remallis' tears trickled down to- the perfume-laden blossoms.
 At the Church.
 Long ere the hour of the church cere- monies began, men and women gatnereo along the streets leading to St. Paul church and when the hands on the court house clock pointed to the hour or S' Third avenue and part of Twenty-secono street held a sea of sorrowing humanity. Inside the church, to which thousands were unable to gain admission, the ,sos+s were reciting the solemn office for the dead.
 When the pontifical requiem mass pe- gan, with Bishop Allen as celebrant, the immense cathedral was crowded 10 US utmost In the pews were seated city or ncials military officers of high rank, the honorary pall-bearers, the members of various orders, Protestant pastors and others prominent in the walks of life. Along the aisles nearest the walls mem bers of the congregation of St. PauPs and other friends of the dead priest were crowded almost to suffocation. For nearly two hours these persons stood in their places, notwithstanding the intense heat, so anxious were they to hear the last words of tribute to the great man who had fallen.
 In the center aisle near the chancel, the body of the dead priest lay in casket draped in sombre black and wrapped in national colors. Guards from the artil- lery stood on either side of the casket with their faces to the congregation. Outside the church thousands of per- sons patiently waited for the services to end and thinking not of the neat they held their places lest they be robbed of the opportunity of viewing the casket as s+ As the heavy casket was lovingly lifted to the caisson which bore 1t to the grave an inspiring view was presented to those who stood on the steps of St Pauls. Drawn up on either side of the broad steps leading to the church was line of infantrymen at present arms" In the street a troop of cavalry, with sabres drawn, was waiting and to the right a battery of artillery stood at attention. As far as the eye could reach there was naught but human faces all eager for a look at the casket. Some had climbed to the roofs of buildings and the little brick structure opposite the church was lit- orally covered with men and boys.
 The cortege.
 As the musicians began the notes of a funeral dirge every head was barred and many burst into tears. While the band was yet playing officers of the First bri- gade and Third regiment approached and wrapped the coffin in the folds of another huge United States flag. This was then covered with flowers and at the sound of notes from a bugle the sorrowful march to St. Vincent's began.
 No man in Birmingham, and possibly in Alabama, was ever honored with so im- posing a funeral as was Father OReilly. As the line moved slowly down Twenty second street and thence along Fourth avenue to Twentieth street it grew in di- mensions until it reached a distance of more than a mile. It is estimated that 1000 men were in line and when the pro cession had passed nineteen cars were re- quired to carry the remainder of the grief stricken crowd to the last resting place of the beloved priest.
 It is estimated that not less than 25,000 people viewed the procession as 1t moved along the route to the grace. The streets were banked with people almost to the car tracks and all traffic was suspended for nearly an hour. lHe roolS oi tHe smaller buildings along Twentieth street were covered with people and hundreds of men and women leaned out of the win dows of the tall buildings along that thoroughfare to view the gun carriage which bore the remains, as it was slow ly drawn by four artillery horses and es- corted by the regulation detail of sol- diers. Father O'Reilly was buried with the rank of major. Though he held only commission of caption as chaplain of the Third regiment, he had acted as chaplain of the brigade, with the rank of major just before the accident befell him and in the hour of death he was accord ed the honors due a brigade chaplain.
 When the clergy had pronounced the last words for the repose of his soul three volleys were fired over Father O'Reilly's grave and taps was sounded. With that the military funeral had ended, but for hours hundreds fingered around the tomb, seemingly unwilling to realize that all had been done that could be done for the beloved priest.
 The Church Ceremonial.
 Father oReillys funeral was attended by twenty-seven ecclesiastics, not includ- ing the Right Rev. Bishop E. P. Allen. They were as follows: The Very Rev.