Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-17
BURIAL OF WASHINGTON
Interesting Account from a Paper Pub
Iished in 1900.

Mrs. CYRUS a. Sturdy has in bor noe
" Gazette. published in Kingston New
York. by Samuel Greer & Son. Saturday
Jan 4. 800. is the date. 1t is a two-shee1
paper size Z inches by IS inches. and
the material used in the paper is far bet.
Ter than that which is used TODAY.
Despite the fact that the paper is 1Os
wears old. it still maintains its legibilitv
and shows but little of the wear and te.r
Of Il century. The first and second pares
are devC ted to the proceedings Of Con-
gress which was then in session. Tho
last page of the paper is given over to
advertisements But what makes this old
sheet SO interesting and valuable is the
following account of the burial Of Wash
ington, whose death occurred 10Y wears
ago. 1t is as follows:
WASHINGTON ENToMBED.
George Town. Dec. 20, 1895.
On Wednesday last the mortal part of
Washington the Grcat-the Father of his
Country and the Friend of Man-was con-
signed to the tomb with solemn honors
and the funeral pomp. A multitude of
persons assembled from many miles
around at Mount Vernon. the choice
abode and last residence of the illustrous
chief. There were the groves, the spa
cious avenues, the beautiful and sublime
scenes, the noble mansion-but. alas!
the august inhabitant was now no mere.
That great soul was gone. His mortal
part was there, indeed; but, ali. how af-
fecting? How awful the spectacle of such
worth and greatness. thus. to mortal
ewes. fallen! Yes, fallen: fallen,
In the long and lofty portico. where
Law the shrouded corpse. The counte-
nance still com, >Gsed ard serene. seemed
to dcrress the dicYi Y of the spirit which
lately dUclt in trat lifclesS form Then
those who said tac i'St sad honors to the
benefactor of his country took an i'm
pressive, n farewell view.
On the ornament at the head of the
coffin was inscribed Surge ad Judicium:' :
about the middle OF the coffin, Gloria
DeO,' and on the silver plate:
General
George Washington.
Departed this life on the 18th December.
1879. aged 6S.
Between 8 and O'Clock the sound of
artillery from a vessel in the river, firing
minute guns. awoke afresh our solemn
sorrow-the corpse was removed-a band
Of music with sorrowful melody melted
the soul into all the tenderness of woe.
The procession was formed and moved
on in the following order: Cavalry, IN
fantry and guard with arms reversed
music; clergy: the generals horse with
his saddle. holsters and pistols: co.'s,
Sims. Ramsay and Payne and Coils Gil
min. Marsteller and Little. the pail bear
ers IN either side Of the hearse; mourn
ers: Masonic brethren; citizens.
When the procession had arrived az
The bottom of the elevated lawn. on the
bank of the Potomac. where the family
vault is placed. the cavalry halted. th5
infantry marched towards the Mount and
formed their lineS-the clergy, the MA
sonic brethren. and the citizens. descend
ed to the vault and the funeral service
of the church was performed. The frins
was repeated from the vessel in the river
and the sounds echoed from the WOODS
and hills around.
Three general discharges by the infan-
try the cavalry, and II pieces of artil-
Icrv which lined the banks of the Poto-
mac back of the vault, paid the last trib-
utc to the cntombed commandments
Of the armies of the United States and
to the departed hero. The sun was now
setting. Alas, the son of glory was SET
forever. No-thc name Of Washington
she American President ard general
will triumph over death! The nnclouoed
brirhtness of his glory will illuminate the
future ages