Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-30
At the Funeral Of the Late
Gen. Jos. Wheeler.
Laid to Rest in Beautiful Ar.
|ington National Cemetery.
Impressive Services and Tribute Paid
by an Immense Gathering.

Washington, Jan. 29.-Home to the
Southland, which he loved so well, they
brought the body of Major Gen. Jo-
seph Wheeler, U. S. A., retired, and laid
it TO rest in Arlington this afternoon
OIL shaded slope overlooking the PO-
tonlac, near to the graves of men who,
like himself, We're veterans of two
wars. Thousands uncovered their heads
in silent tribute as the impressive car
avan of mOIrners made it's way slowly
out Pennsylvania avenue this afternoon
beneath the wealth of sunshine that
gave to the day taste of springtime
in tfe dead Of winter. Not even his ma
tive state Of Alabama could have con-
tributed a balmier day on which to
bury the nations distinguished dead
than was this, the birthday Of the
President who called him from civil life
to the defence Of the nation in the war
with Spain.
All along the line of march the white
carnation marked the memory of the
late William Mckinley and on the cas-
ket wrapped in the folds of the Amer
lean flag there bloomed a cluster of
these pure flowers. They were placed
church at the beginning of the burial
service and as the choir softly chanted
the closing hymn, peace. Perfect
Peace" white robed priest took the
flowers from the altar and placed them
revcrcntiy at the head of the casket
amid the folds Of the red. white and
blue. Beside them We're the beautiful
flowers sent by the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt. 1t was an appropriate trib-
ute which the nation paid.
From 10 o'clock this morning until
2 this afternoon while the body lay in
state in the historic little church on
Lafayette square, thousands of his
friends passed up the aisle 10 the out
er chancel and bowed in silence as
they looked for the last time on the
warriors face. His comrades in the
great war and in the war with Spain
his friends while in Congress and the
sons of the veterans of the two wars
the daughters Of the Confederacy We're
all represented in this silent but steady
stream of people that passed through
st. Johns today.
BY 9 o'clock the nave of the church
was filled with gray haired men, the
place of honor to the right of the
President in the right transcept being
given to "Wheeler's Old Cavalry" who
came on from the South by special in
vitation of the family. Back of them
sat the Confederate veterans. In the
body Of the church We're many vete-
rams of the war with Spain.
Two minutes before the hour for the
service to begin the entire congrega-
ton arose while the President, preced-
ed by his military aide. Col. Bromwell
and his naval aide, Lieut.. Commander
Key. in full uniform and accompanied
by Mrs. Roosevelt, entered the church
from the transept door and were as
signed to the first pew which they
shared with the family, who entered
Immediately afterword. The Presf-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt were both in
mourning.
The service was brief and impressive
and followed with 4 few exceptions the
regular liturgy for the burial of the dead.
There were four priests in the chancel,
which was banked with flowers from
friends and associations far and wd..
Rev. DIR. Ernest Stires. rector of ST
Thomas church. New York, read the Sc
lections beginning II am the rcslrrcc-
tion and the life" The lesson was read
by Rev. Dr. Randolph II. McKim. rector
Of the church Of the Epiphany, and Rev.
DR.. Roland Cotton Smith, rector OF ST.
Johns. both of this city, concluded the
service. leading the congregation in tho
recital of the Apostles Greed and reading
the prayers for the dead. Two hymns
were sung, both favorites Of Gen. Wheel
er They were abide with Me-" Fast
Falls the Eventide" and peace, Perfect
Peace" During the singing of the latter
hymn the pail bearers took their position
at the front of the casket which was
borne to the caisson awaiting at the
transept door by eight sergeants of engi-
neers in uniform. Throughout the ser
vice a guard of honor consisting OF a
captain of engineers and two sergeants.
stood at attention beside the casket.
Capt. Fitzhugh Lee. an aide to the
President, sat near the family and Lieut.
Y. S. Grant, Sd, also of the Presidents
staff, was one of the officers who accom-
panied the body to Arlington. The line
of march was down 18th street to Penn
sylvania avenue. on past the White
House and the war department and
across the acqueduct bridge to Arlington.
The pageant as it moved to the strains Of
the Dead March from Saul made an i'm.
pressive picture witnessed by thousands
who stood with bared heads. The Prcs!-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt retired immedi
ately into the White House remaining at
<ho ,b,,roL hnweyer until the family lad
left.
Washington, Jan. 29-With full mill
ary honors the body Of zen. Joseph
wheeler, the veteran Of two wars. a
former representative in Congress and
a retired officer of the U. s. army. was
laid at rest Monday in the National
- .>... a A rIin1fa The snof selact.