New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-29
HONOR A HERO'S BODY.
FIGHTING JOE'S FUNERAL
Thousands Boo ReUerently as the
Procession Goes BIZ.

White haired veterans Of the North stood side
By side with white haired veterans OF the South
Yesterday in St Thomas's Episcopal Church,
Etb-ave. and West 68d-st.. where services were
held over the body Of Fighting Joe" Wheeler,
The services were at 2:3O o'clock. The body
Of the old warrior, wrapped in the rebel flag
be loved so well and covered with the Stars and
Stripes he honored, was escorted 70 the church
by an imposing military procession. Later the
BODY was taken 20 Washington, where II VIII be
buried IN Arlington Cemetery beside scores or
brave fighting men Of the North and South.
The funeral procession left the home Of his
Eister. Mrs. Sterling Smith, No. 173 Columbia
Heights. Brooklyn just before 1 o'clock, the
coffin being placed on a caisson by six sergeants
Of the sth Infantry. A squad Of mounted po-
lice led the procession. with detail Of troops at
the side Of the caisson.
In the carriages which followed were Mr.. and
Mrs. Sterling Smith; the daughters, Misses
Carrie, Annie and Lucy; Mr.. and Mrs ". J.
Harris l1r. and Mrs. ". Merchant William
Kirkland, Gordon Buck and others.
soldier led q saddIed black horse, with the
boots reversed in the -stirrups and the sword OF
the dead general tied TO the pomuel This was
the gold hilted sword presented TO General
Wheeler BY Post No. 113, G. A. R, Of Massa-
chusetts, on Memorial Day, 1899.
Squadron c, Of Brooklyn, and the Eighth In
fant-y fell in line, and the procession moved
across the bridge The flags on both towers Of
the bridge were at halfmast, and thousands Of
men. women and children lined the streets from
the home To the church.
On the Manhattan side, at City Hall Park
the list Regiment, under command Of Colonel
". G. Bates the Second Battery, under COM
rnand Of Captain Wilson; the 9Sth and S4th
%
Spanish War Veterans associations were drawn
up These fell in behind Squadron c and
marched 70 the church
PROCESSION REACHES CHURCH,
When the head Of the procession reached the
front OF the church the Sth Infantry lined up
on the east side Of the avenue at present arms
The other military bodies as they came 10 a
halt lined up IN the same manner, and the
oaisson, followed by the carriages of the rela-
ayes and the army bus Of palbearers, pro-
oeeded 20 the entrance OF the church.
The big crowd that filed the sidewalks and
the side streets barred their heads reverently as
II eight staIwart infantrymen lifted the coffin
and bore II into the church.
The honorary. paubearers were Colonel J. J.
Astor, P T. Wilson Fitch Smith, DR.. John
Wyeth, John NcKesson, s. r Bertron, DR..
william u Polk Commander Parker. Z S. N;
archer Huntington, General J. H. Wilson, Gen
eral Kent OF Kent's Battery fame; Senator
Clark of Montana; Charles s. Falrchild, Cen
eral o. o. Howard, L. S. A. retired; General
Stewart Woodford, DIT. R. ogden Doremus, DR..
Parius and J. Pierpont Morgan
When the coffin was placed on the pedestals
he vested choir Of St. Thomas's entered the
church singing Lead. Kindly Light" Follow
ing the psalter and the reading OF the Episco-
pal burial lesson by the Rev. DR.. Stires, rector.
snd hymn by the choir, Dr. stires said:
This Is one of the great occasions of our
.1es. We have met 10 honor the memory Of
e tele man 1 do not speak TO you Of him prin-
ttL~l-g as a citizen statesman or soldier, for
c- mere record OF his deeds is far more elo-
- e-5II tnan any praise OF ours could be. It is
So ese man i think at This hour Was he en-
yoT - 20 De called great? It is not difficult for
Ie was distinguished by courage without
ress '-vSs. 80, oy wisdom without pride, by gentle
bes5f@eIth @Itholt weakness, by patience without
,-l7ssness and by justice which alyyavs leaned
r9s- olu mercy lie honored man, he trusted
fITa' qtla 10 every man he was ready to give his
III. rs substance. his heart
- ne master ne served once said that the great
urt !" Lose IN the kingdom OF heaven was he
r,s ~ .s me servant Of all. Know you ever a
an more ready Than he 10 be the servant OF
T.NcoRRUPTIBLE AS STATESMAN"
r7tl-tf IN the home circle, able and incor-
tlsr tls.'-s as a statesman. as a soldier. chev-
SoT, Norm gives him unstinted honor. The
lovsI- even IN her grief, is proud of her ever
go soh- Cuba, for whose freedom he fought
NJ o-t her grief across the waves, and the
ols.V "oIl1 pauses for a moment to-day 70 de-
-. mat this was indeed a man
~ ueTe be little Of sadness here. We
fe 5uIneinorating a defeat: IL is the victory OF
a ne triumph OF a noble character.
q. - setiLeilan unafraid" stands in the presence
N L.v son of man. Christian soldier is called
H. quarters, where his commander greets
biot an loving welcome, and promotes him TO a
-'sAer service.
- me church seats had been reserved for the
Ie'ioeaEers, the stah Of Brigadier General Fred
:, ,'IA Dent Grant. L. s A: Colonel Bates Of the
IIe officers Of Squadron c. Brooklyn; Cap
: - wilson. commanding the 1st Battery and
--s societies 10 which the general belonged, in
---'ig tAe Southern, the Confederate Veterans
''ps and the Daughters Of the Confederacy.
ataS were also reserved for the alumni Of
0'.'ALlre Academy. where General Wheeler as a
90 carved his name higher IN the old brick wall
VI me dormitories than any student before
Point
-. 80 the close OF the services the funeral pro-
'Ss'oh formed again and escorted the body 70
Continued second page.
TWENTY TRAINS a DAY BETWEEN