The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1904-01-22
CLOSING CHAPTER
OF JAMES |, BLAIR
Remains Buried Beside His Father
in Bellefontaine Cemetery.
FUNERAL SERVICES SIMPLE
Took Place From the Residence of
His BrOthcr-in-Law, II. II. Gra-
ham-tttended by Members of
Family md Friends.

ST. Louis, June 20.-Simple and brief
were the funeral services over the
earthly remains of James L. Blair, the
st. Louis attorney and ex-general coun
sci for the Worlds fair, who died at
Eustis, Fla, last Saturday, where he
had gone for the benefit OF his health.
The funeral took place at the pala-
tial residence of B. B. Graham, brother
in-law of the deceased, 5145 Lindell
boulevard, opposite Forest park, Tues
day morning.
Only the relatives and few close
friends, who still cling to the family
In it's affiiction, were present
simple Hut Impressive Service.
The funeral services were simple, and
were held in the presence OF only the
pall-bearers, the family and intimate
friends. They were read by Dean Da-
Wis of Christ Church cathedral, clad in
black robe and white surplice, in the
reception hall of the Graham home.
Dean Davis merely read the Epis-
copal funeral service, and offered
brief prayer. But he read the service
anu dcIiftItu lio pl viii SutD q
touching voice and pathetic bearing
that when he had finished there was
not a dry eye in the room
AS soon the final prayer had been
offered by Dean Davis, the undertaken
stepped to the easket and removed the
cover from the plate glass that covered
the face of Mr.. Blair.
Viewed the Remnins.
The casket was one with metallic
lining, hermetically sealed; but was so
constructed that the glass could be un-
covered without in any way letting air
into the casket.
The cover was left from the glass for
about five minutes, and most of those
in the room took a look at the face of
all that remained of James l.. Blair.
The features were fairly we'll preserved
and wonderfully natural in appearance.
The face was thin and shrunken, how
ever and those who beheld it could
easily perceive that the James L. Blair
they viewed was not the James
Blair they had known. After all those
who SO desired had viewed the remains,
the cover was replaced, and the exit
from the house began.
Old Friends Officinted.
The eight pall-bearers We're old
friends of MIR. Blair. six having been
associated with him in the st. Louis
Bar association. They were: John F.
Lee Henry T. Kent, George w Taus-
sig, Ashley Cabell, Enos Clarke, Field
ing w Oliver, Thomas S. McPheeters
and DR.. Greenfield Sluder.
As the little cortege wended its way
out Of Lindell boulevard to Kings high
way, the hearse containing all that was
left of James l.. Blair passed the mon
ument of his illustrious father, Gen
Francis Preston Blair, and the coinci-
denCe was noticed by all present.
Cnsket Covered With Flowers.
The funeral casket, covered with
flowers, preceded by a clergyman and
pall-bearers, and followed only by Mrs.
Blair, Percy Blair and Mr.. and Mrs
B, B. Graham. began its journey to the
grave in Bellefontaine from the Gra-
ham residence, at 10: 80 O'Clock.
Dean Davis said two prayers at the
graveside. Once he said: We should
not condemn others for their msfor-
tunes" No other word that might be
understood as having special reference
to Blair was said,
AS soon as the ceremony of burial
was completed and the grave filled. the
participants, except Mrs. Blair and her
son, drove away Percy Blair walked
slowly to the carriage where his moth
er sat. He gave her his hand and she
stepped to the ground Her black veil
still covered her face, and was driven
back in a somber wave by the wind.
Her head was bowed.
Buried beside His Father.
They walked to the side of the grave,
which adjoins the grave of Frank p.
Blair, father of James L. Blair. Mrs.
Blair's gloved hands clasped themselves
tightly in front of her breast and trem-
bled. The son knelt beside the grave
and arranged the flowers-pink and
white roses, carnations, violets, tube
roses, sweet peas, and one magnificent
group of lilies.
Then he arose and stood beside his
silent mother for a moment, while their
weeping eyes gazed upon the mound.
They turned The mother took the
sons arm, leaning on it heavily. and
as soon as they entered the carriage
were driven away.
Fire in Chicago.