The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-30
Fitting Funeral for the
 Famed Fighter.
BALMY DAY IN WASHINGTON
Thousands Attend Last Rites for
 the Dead.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt Attired in Mourning Present in St. Johns Church When the Ritual
 is Read.

Washington. Jan. 2s.--Home to the Southland which he loved so we'll they brought the body of the late Major Gen eral Joseph Wheeler. U. S. A. retired. and laid 1t to rest in Arlington this afternoon on a shaded slope overlook ing the Potomac near the graves of men like himself were veterans of two wars
 Thousands uncovered their heads in silent tribute as the impressive cara van of mourners made it's way slowly out of Pennsylvania Avenue this af- ternoon beneath the wealth of, sun shine that gave to the day q taste of sprinatime in the dead of winter. Not even his native State of Alabama could have contributed balmier day in which to bury the nations distinguished dead than this was. the birthday of tho President who called him from civil life to the defense of the nation in the war with Spain.
 All along the line of march the white caruation marked the memory of the late William Mckinley and on the cas- ket wrapped in the folds of the Ameri- can flag there bloomed cluster of these pure flowers. They were placed the altar in St. Johns Episcopal Church at the beginning of the burial service, and as the choir softly chant ed the closing hymn, Peace. Perfect Pence :" a white rohed priest took the flowers from the altar and placed them reverentIy at the head of the casket among the folds of the red. white and blue Reside them bloonea the bauti- full flowers sent by the President and Mrs Roosevelt.
 Nation Pays Tribute.
 It was an arpropriate tribute which the nation paid. From ten o'clock this morning until ? this afternoon while the body lay in state in the historic little church on La Fayette Square, thousands upon thousands passed up the aisle to the chanceI and bowed si- lenfIy as they looked for the last time upon the warriors face. His. comrades in the great war and in the war with Spain. his friends while in Congress andstha sons nf the veterans of the two wars. the Daughters of the Confedera- cy were ali represented in this silent steady stream of people, that passed through St. Johns today.
 Shortly before noon Sir Henry Mortimer Durand. the British Ambas- sador, who was a warm friend of Gen eral Wheeler. arrived at St. Johns Church and taking his TIace in line. passed reverently to the head of the casket and looked for the last time into the face of the great cavalry leader. By 2 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 caval- ry." who came on from the South by special invitation of the family.
 President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
 Back of them sat other Confederate veterans. In the body of the church were many veterans of the war with Spain. Lieutenant General and Mrs Chaffee were among the friends who sat near the family. The Cabinet was represented by Secretary Taft and Postmaster General Cortelyou. Two minutes before the hour for the ser vice to begin the entire congregation arose while the President. preceded by his military aide Colonel Cromwell and his naval aide. Lieutenant 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 afterward. The President and Mrs. Roosevelt were both in mourning.
 The service was brief and impressive and followed with 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 wide. Rev Dr. Ernest Stires. rector of St. Thomas Church. New York, read the selections beginning q am the Re surrection and the Life"
 The lesson was read by Rev. Dr. Randolph H. McKim, rector of the Church of the Epiphaney and Rev. Ro- land Cottonsmith, rector of St. Johns of this city, concluded the service. leading the congregation in the recitals of the Apostles Creed and the Prayers for the Dead. Two hvrnns were sung both favorites of General Wheeler. E-tB Peace. Perfect Peace."
 Eight SerEeaBts Bear Casket.
 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 it at the transept door bv eight sergeants of en- gineers in uniform. Throuehout the service q guard of honor. consisting of a captain of engineers and two ser geants stood at attention beside the casket.
 captain Fitzhugh Lee. an aide to the President sat near the family, and Lieut.. U. $. Grant. third. also of the presIdeut's stan. was one of the off, cers who accompanied the body to Ar Iington.
 The line of march was down Eff %eenth Street to Pennsvlvania Avenue. passed the White House and westward across the bridge to Arlington.
 The pageant as it moved to the strains of the dead march made an im- nressive scene witnessed bv thousands who stood with barred heads. The rresident and Mrs. Roosevelt returned trnmediatelv to the White House after the services. remaining in the church. however, until after the family had left.
 when the funeral cortege reached rort Mver. enroute to Arlington, can non boomed a Major Generals salute G1wuP g,a ,tes mast 4 o'clock when 1t reached the cemetery grounds. where vast crowd had assembled. The hillside on which tbs newly made grave was located was tLSonaed with people. Over the grave canopy had been erected. as pro lection against possible indictment weather. but 1t was not needed. Tor brieht winters sun shone upon the city of the dead. The great quantity ef floral tributes which had been sent