The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1904-01-23
CLOSING CHAPTER
OF JAMES |, BLAIR
Remains Buried Beside His Father
in BellefOntaine Cemetery.
FUNERAL SERVICES SIMPLE
Took Place From the Rcsidence of
His Brothcr-in-Lnw, Il. II. Gra-
hnm-tttended by Members of
Family and 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, 5l45 Lindell
boulevard, opposite Forest park, Tues
day morning.
Only the relatives and a few close
friends, who still cling to the family
In its atfiiCtion, 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 surplce, in the
reception hall Of the Graham home.
Dean Davis merely read the Eps-
copal funeral service, and offered a
brief prayer But he read the service
and delivered the prayer with such
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 casket and removed the
cover from the plate glass that covered
the face of Mr. Blair
Viewed the Remnins.
The casket was one with a metallic
lining, Theoretically sealed; but was SO
constructed that the glass could be I'M
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 look at the face Of
all that remained of James l.. Blair
The features were fairly well 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 l..
Blair they had known After all those
who 50 desired had viewed the remains,
the cover was replaced and the exit
from the house began,
ola Friends Ohicicted,
The eight pall-bearers were old
friends of Mr. Blair, six having been
associated with him in the St Louis
Bar association. They were; John f.
Lee, Henry r. Kent, George w. Taus-
sig, Ashley Cabell, Enos Clarke, Field
ing w. Oliver, Thomas s McPheeters
and DR.. Greenfield Sluder
As the little cortege wendell 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 illustrous father, Gen.
Francis Preston Blair, and the coinci-
dence was noticed by all present
CnsLet Covered with Flowers.
The funeral casket, covered with
| flowers, preceded by 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 1880 o'clock
Dean Davis said two prayers at the
gravesidc once he said I'VE should
not condemn others for their misfor-
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 flied. the
participants, except Mrs Blair and her
son, drove away Percy Blair walked
slowly TO the carriage where his moth
or 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
Hustled Reside 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, aud trem-
! bled. The son knelt beside the grave
and arranged the Aowcrs-plnk and
white roses, carnations, Wolcts, tube
roses, sweet peas and one magnificent
group OF lilies.
Then ne arose and stood beside his
silent mother for moment, while their
weeping eyes ga2ed upon the mound,
They turned, The mother took the
sons arm, leaning on II heavily and
as soon NJ they entered the carriage
were driven away
Fire In thicnpu,
| Ch.rnup Ian % A ptNagiory hriplt