New-York tribune., 1905-04-26
0. II. PLATTS FUNERAL.
Distinguished Gathering There
Fairbanks Represents President.

vyosbinqton. Conn, April 25.-In the little coun-
try burying ground on the gentle slope or one OK
the LitchaeId hills which he loved SO well. the
bodv Of United states Senator Orville Hitchcock
PIatt was buried this afternoon. Around the grave
with heads barred and eyes bedimmed with tears.
stood one of the most notable gatherings OF men
prominent in national and State life that has ever
come together in Connecticut. They had met In
this beautiful hill town for few hours to take
farewell Of one whom in life they had honored ana
loved The services in both the church near by and
at the grave were brief and from the Episcopal
ritual and were in keeping with tho simplicity OF
the life which Senator Platt led at his home here.
Regular and special trains over the New-York.
New-Haven and Hartford railroad. and convey
ances from nearby towns, brought hundreds OF
visitors to attend the funeral Men OF national and
wider fame were among them Represent
atives Senators and Vice-President Charles W.
Fairbanks. who present to-day as the repre-
sentative of President Roosevelt. The Congress
committee consisted Of about thirty members, who
reached Washington late in the forenoon by
special train from the national capital Another
special train brought Governor Henry Roberts ana
the members of his staff Justices Of the Connecti-
cut Supreme Court State officials, a committee
of the Connecticut General Assembly. and other
prominent men Of this State. while the regular
train due at Washington at noon brought hundreds
of other persons.
Vice President Fairbanks reached New-York too
late to board the Congress committees train. but
he engaged special train and arrived here after
fast run. shortly after l o'clock.
Long before the time set for the funeral 1:3O
o'clock. it apparent that the congregational
Church. which had been selected for the service be-
cause it has the largest audience room in the VII
lage would be entirely too small for the crowd The
church stands little green in the centre OF the
village II is about half a mile from the Platt home
and only a few rods the beautiful hillside
burying ground where the body Of Senator Platt Is
TO rest
In keeping with the marked simplicity Of all the
funeral arrangements the altar decorations IN the
church consisted mainly OF branches OF evergreen
and mountain laurel. banking the altar rail- Inere
were a few bouquets of flowers. Across the pipe
organ at the rear of the pulpit large American
flag draped. and Immediately above the music
rack was large wreath sent in behalf OF President
Roosevelt. It was made Of white lilacs. lilies and
hydrangeas with ferns Other floral pieces lncluo-
ing wreath from the State OF Connecticut, were
also the of the pulpit Except these, how
ever. of the great number Of floral offerings
which surrounded the coffin at the Platt house were
removed to the church. Most of them however
went to decorate the grave later
Vice President Fairbanks and the national ana
State delegations had seats in the church immedi-
ately behind the family party which occupied the
front rows Of pews. When the coffin, Of Quartered
oak. which brought from the Platt home In a
light wagon covered with evergreen branches was
borne into the church by the six townsmen VINO
acted bearers, the professional verses from
Psalms xxx and xc read by the pastor of the
church. the Rev Robert e. Carter, the people
meanwhile kneeling The reading was followed by
the singing OF Gloria Patri after i when MI M.
Carter read the Scripture selection. which was
from the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to
the Corinthians, beginning at the twentieth verse
Senator Platt's favOyite hymn. For All the the
Saints then rendered by the choir The
prayer which followed. was by the Rev DR.; sam,
uel o. Seymour. rector of st. Michaels Episcopal
Church OF Litchtieid and closed with suppnCa-
tion in behalf of the President and the nation The
hymn America was sung next, ending the church
service
Yice-President Fairbanks. as the representative
Of the nations head. was the first to pass out OF
the church. the members of the family, the nation
al delegation and the State delegation following In
that order. When the coffin had been brought out
and placed in the evergreen covered wagon: the
procession started for the grave while through the
open window of the church came the voices of the
choir singing as a recessOnal Jerusalem the
Golden" hymn which also favorite of
Senator Platts
At the grave the Episcopal cOmmittal-fOrmula
was read by Mr. Carter and the responsive prayer
by DIT. Seymour. After the singing OF the Doxology
by the whole assembly. the benediction pro-
nOunceJ by Dr. Seymour.