Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-30
LAST HONORS PAID
TO GEN. WHEELER
IMPRESSIVE SERVICES HELD
IN WASHINGTON
Remains Laid to Rest in Arlington
cemetery-Thousands Of War
rior's Friends and Former
Soldiers Attend
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.--The body
of the late Major General Joseph
Wheeler, u. S. A., retired, was laid at
rest in Arlington cemetery this after
noon on shaded slope overlooking
the Potomac river. Thousands uncov-
cred their heads in silent tribute as
the impressive caravan of mourners
made its way slowly out Pennsylvania
avenue this afternoon beneath the
wealth of sunshine that gave to the day
taste of springtime in the dead OF
winter. All along the line of march
the white carnation marked the mem
ory of the late William Mckinley, and
on the casket wrapped in the folds Of
the American flag there bloomed a
cluster of these pure flowers. 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 closing hymn,
Peace, Perfect Peace" a white-robed
priest took the flowers from the altar
and placed them reverently at the head
of the casket amid the folds of the
red, white and blue. Beside them
bloomed the beautiful flowers sent by
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
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
General 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.
Aged Cavalrymen Present
BY 2 o'clock the nave of the church
was filled with gray-haired men, the
place of honor on the right transept
being given to "Wheeler's old cavalry
who came from the south by special
invitation of the family. Back of them
sat other Confederate veterans. Lieu
tenant General and Mrs. Chaffee were
among the friends who sat near the
family. The cabinet was represented
by Secretary Taft and Postmaster Gen.
eral Cortelyou.
Ten minutes before the hour for the
service to begin the entire congrega-
tion arose while the president, pre-
well, and his naval aid, Lieutenant
Commander 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-
Veit were DOtn Ill mourning.
The service was brief and impressive
and followed with few exceptions
the regular liturgy for the burial Of
the dead. During the singing of
Peace Perfect Peace" the pallbear-
ers took their position at the front
of the casket, which was borne to
the caisson awaiting it at the transept
door by eight sergeants of engineers
in uniform. Throughout the service a
guard of honor consisted Of captain
Of engineers and two sergeants stood
at attention beside the casket.
Capt. Fitzhugh Lee, an aid to the
| president, sat near the family and
Lieut.. u. S. Grant, also of the presi-
dents staff, was one of the officers
who accompanied the body to Arling-
ton. The line of march was down Fif-
teenth street to Pennsylvania avenue,
on past the White House and the war
department, across the aqueduct bridge
to Arlington. The pageant, as it moved
to the strains of the Dead March
From Saur' made an impressive pic
ture, witnessed by thousands who
stood with barred heads. The presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt returned i'm
mediately to the White House after the
service, remaining in the church, how
| ever, until the family had left.