The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-24
Pathetic Scenes at Solemn Ser
vices for Helen McGregor.
AUTHOR OF PLAY The MINISTER
Caskst Rested on Baggage Truck and
Nearer, My God, 10 Thss," Was
Sung Midst Putting Of Engines.

BOSTON, NOV. A-Io the
ment OF the putting OF a solitary engine
which echoed through the vast South sta
ton train shed a scene was last night
enacted which has few parallels. Funeral
services were held in the baggage room
over the body OF Helen McGregor. the
actress OF the las Ye Sow company,
Just before the casket was placed upon
the midnight train for New York.
The surroundings were so crude, the
time and place almost out OF sympathy.
and the service OF such a nature that
1t could not fail to leave its impress upon
even a calloused heart.
The casket rested upon q baggage truck,
and at its head was a large wreath and
mound OF violets. the favorite flower OF
the dead girl. The simple inscription
From Her Comrades" told in itself the
story OF the ~assemblage around her bi<r.
Surrounding the casket were the mem
bens OF the las We Sow" company. of
which she was the leading woman. prln-
cipals Of the company touching elbows
with mechanical employees.
AN AFFECTING CEREMONY.
The Rev. John Snyder. author OF the
play in which she achieved such sue
cess. took his place at the head of the
casket about 1l:3 o'clock to conduct the
simple yet doubly impressive service.
With heads barred, those assembled drew
close about the rude bier. and the quar-
tet of the company rendered with feeling,
a song as It were direct from the heart,
Nearer My God to Thee"
At its conclusion the silence was almost
impressive, and the brutal blasts OF a
locomotive. coming as they did at this
time, were silently welcomed by hearts
that were aching and throats which held
H. a. aaAgaAA e ALA
Several OF the women members Of the
company could not restrain their grief,
while a little lad whom she had be-
friended sobbed as though his heart would
break.
Little Olive Price. who had several
scenes in the play with Miss McGregor,
almost made others break down, as the
tears streamed from her eyes and coursed
down her cheeks. TO be brushed away
with big sobs.
Miss McGregor's brother, Edward Nc
Gregor, who came on from New York 20
the body OF his sister TO her
parents home on Staten Island. gave full
vent to his grief az he witnessed the
tributes OF love and affection manifest
upon all sides.
After the rendition OF the hymn the
Rev. John Snyder gave a touching
eulogy. followed by a simple prayer, In
which all Joined with bowed heads. The
realroad truck bearing the casket was
swung round, and from the south end
OF the baggage room It was wheeled by
loving hands 10 the baggage car OF the
midnight train for New York.
DOTTED THEIR CAPS.
The little funeral cortege with heads
uncovered followed the improvised hearse
TO the car. Seated upon a railroad truck
as the procession OF mourners passed were
a number Of porters and baggage men
and they reverently DOTTED their caps as
the casket passed.
During the service a few OF the railroad
employees stood ut n respectful distance
and watched the strange and affecting
scene. The casket was not opened, as
n was encased in a heavy box for ship
ment.
The palibearers at the station were
col. Thompson, Frank Gilmore, Douglas
Fairbanks. Charles Craig. Harold Eos
berg. Noah Berry, L. L. Brophy, MAC M.
. Barnes. Fred Foreman. w. j. Lewis. John
Peltret and Ernest Mack.
The body OF Miss McGregor Will be
taken to her home at Castleton, s. l.,
and will be buried I'm the family lot.
Such a strange and pathetic service
seemed almost in keeping with the beau
tiful character OF the woman. for In life
.he had played emotional parts and had
caused many a tear To start, and In death
II seemed fitting that she should move
those who had played Wit her In sorrow
fuI scenes I'm the mimic world OF the
stage.
Miss McGregor's loyalty to her company
and her profession resulted In her death.
She was operated upon for deafness at
the Massachusetts Homeopathic hospital,
hut refused to stay there long enough. and
i.ft the hospital to take her place In the
oomranv on Monday evening. She was
obliged 70 return to the hospital the next
dev and on Wednesday afternoon she
died.