Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-01-30
GRAY HAIRED VETERANS MAKE
PILGRIMAGE FROM THE SOUTH
After Solemn and Beautiful Cere-
mony Remains Of Great Soldier
Are Laid to Rest on the
Heights Above Potomac,

Washington, Jan. 29.-The body of
the late Major General Joseph Wheel
er, U. s. A., retired, was laid at rest
in Arlington this afternoon on a shad-
ed slope overlooking the Potomac.
Thousands uncovered their heads in
silent tribute as the impressive cara
van of mourners made It's way slowly
out Pennsylvania avenue this after
noon beneath the wealth of sunshine
that gave to the day a taste of spring
time in the dead of winter, All along
the line of march the white carnation
marked the memory Of the late VIM
Mckinley and on the casket wrapped
in the folds of the American flag there
bloomed a cluster of these pure flow
ers. They were placed on the altar
in st. Johns Episcopal church at the
beginning of the burial service, and
as the choir softly chanted the clos
ing hymn Peace, perfect peace" q
white robed priest took the flowers
from the altar and placed them rev.
erently at the head of the casket amid
the folds of the red, white and blue
flowers sent by the president and Mrs
Roosevelt.
From 10 o'clock this morning until
this afternoon while the pody lay in
state in the historic little church on
Lafayette square, thousands of Gen
eral Wheeler's friends passed up the
aisle to the outer chancel and bowed
in silence as they looked for the last
time on the warriors face
BY 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 transept being
given to "Wheeler's old cavalry who
came on from the south by special in
vitation Of the family. Back of them
sat other confederate veterans
Lieutenant General and Mrs. Chat
fee were among the friends who sat
near the family
The cabinet was represented by Sec
retary Taft and Postmaster General
Cortelyou. Two minutes before the
hour of the service to begin the en-
tire congregation arose while the pres
ident, preceded by his military aid,
Lieutenant Key. in full uniform, and
accompanied by Mrs. Roosevelt, en-
tered the church from the transept
door and were assigned to the first
pew, which they shared with the fam
lily, who entered Immediately after
ward. The President and Mrs. Roose-
welt were both in mourning.
The service was brief and impress
sive, and followed, with few eXcep-
tions, the regular liturgy for the burial
OF the dead During the singing Of
"Peace, perfect peace" the pall-bear-
ers took their position at the front Of
the casket, which was borne to the
caisson awaiting 1t at the transept
door, by eight sergeants Of engineers
in uniform. Throughout the service
guard of hopor, consisting of a
captain of engineers, and two SER
geants. stood at attention beside the
casket.
Captain Fitzhugh Lee, an aid to the
president. sat near the family, and
Lieutenant U. s. Grant III, also OF
the presidents staff, was one of the
OFFICERS who accompanied the body e
Arlington. The line Of march was
down Fifteenth street to Pennsylvania
avenue on past the White House and
the war department, and across the
Aqueduct bridge to Arlington. The
pageant as It moved to the strains oi
the Dead March" from Saul" mad
an impressive picture, witnessed by
thousands, who stood with bare(
heads. The President and Mrs. Rorsa
welt returned Immediately to thu
White House after the service. re
naming in the church, however, unit
the family had left.