Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-12-03
PRESIDENT sPENCER's FUNERAL

The funeral OF Samuel spencer, the
president of the Southern Railway, who
WAS killed in the wreck on the railroad
near Lawyers, Va, on Thanksgiving
Day, took place at O'Clock yesterday
afternoon at 81 Johns Protestant Eps-
copsl Church in Washington.
1t has been long time since such
large and impressive service in memory
Of anyone has been held in Washington
The church was crowded to OVERLOOKING
with distinguished men and women. who
came from oil parts Of the country to
paw their last respects TO the man they
loved and mourned, among whom were
macy Of the employees of the Southern
Railway in Washington, Alexandria and
other place..
The chancel Of the church WAS one
mass of fogers. Hundreds OF fortl
designq, wrea'hs and bouquets Glled the
chancel so completely that there was
hardly room for the officiating clergy
and the vested choir. Great as was the
floral display Of the church, it did not
represent one quarter of the flowers sent
to the house. It was impossible to take
all to the church and few were sent to
the cemetery, as urs. Spencer gave
special orders that the flowers be sent to
the various hospitals in Washington
1t is estimated that the flowers sent 10
the Spencer house for the funeral cost over
$40, 0OO Many came from New YORK.
The various employees OF the Southern
along its route sent orders to Washing
ton for flowers, and these orders alone
amounted to 81, 900, and came from en-
gineers, firemen, conductors, brakemeH,
agents, and, in fact, every class OF en-
ploye who desired to pay bis tribute to
the president
From the time the casket containing
the remains of President Spencer arrived
in Washington it was kept covered with
exquisite cut flowers provided by the Of
ficrs of the Southern Railway, The flow
ers were changed every day. President
and Mrs Roosevelt sent a wreath OF or
chids and white roses, tied with white
satin ribbon Vice President aud Mr..
Fairbanks, a hugo bunch of chrysanthe-
NUNS; officers of the Southern Rail way,
standing wreath of orchids, lilies-oi-,he-
valley aud violets; j. p Morgan, mas
of cut flowers. and f.. II. Hartman,
cluster of American Beauty roSes, palms,
yiolels and lilies.o! -lhe.vslleY
Among the distinguished people who
ATTENDED the church services were Vice
President Fairbanks, Governor Swanson
and Senator Martin, OF Virginia, }.
Pierpont Morgan aud others.
Just at . O'Clock the soft strains OF
Chopin's beautiful funeral march Pealed
through the church from the organ AT
the same instant, throughout the system
of railroads lately presided over by Mr.
Spencer, every train came to dead stop,
every wheel ceased 10 turn, every en-
ployo put aside his work For five
minutes over the thousands of miles OF
railway, every employe paid silent re-
spect 20 the dead president.
The funeral service was strictly in nc
cordance with the ritual Of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church. 1t was con
Quoted by Bishop SsIterlee, assisted by
Rev. Dr. Smith. A special musical
programme was rendered.
at the conclusion of the rituaiistio
service the remains we're borne from tho
church during the singing of "Ab.de
With Me-" After the members OF the
family and the immediate fanersl party
had left the clergy and choir retired to
the strains OF Handles dead march from
saul"
The body was placed temporarily in
vault until Mrs. Spencer decides where
shall be the final resting place OF her
husband.
Among those from this city who at
tended the funeral were Messrs. II. {.
Ansley, treasurer of the company. c,
w. Ashby, of the treasurer's Office; MIR.
c. c. Carlin Of the legal department,
and oibars connacted with the COMPANY.