Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-13
SILENT TRIBUTE
OF THOUSANDS
PAID MODJESKA
FUNERAL RITES OF QUEEN OF
DRAMA IMPRESSIVE
BISHOP coNATY EULoGlZEs THE
GREAT TRAeEDlENNE
Floral Offerings ard Presence of
Throngs at Cathedral and on
Streets Attest Homage of
Mourning Friends

With the silent tribute of thousands
of persons of Los Angeles, more elo--
quent than the impressive funeral
service held at the Cathedral of st.
Vibiana, the body, of Nine. Helena
Modjeska was laid to its temporary
resting place yesterday afternoon, All
along the route the cortege passed
from the knights of Columbus home,
at Twenty second and F1gueroa
streets, little groups of people hao
gathered and they stood with bowed
heads while the hearse bearing the
body of the great tragedienne passed
through the streets of the city.
Since early Saturday morning mag
nificent floral tributes had been pour
ing into the Knights of Columbus CLUB
house, and the north reception room
where the body was lying in state was
a perfect bower yesterday morning,
many beautiful floral pieces having
been arranged about the room.
One of the most magnificent of these
and one which was accorded place of
honor was the floral crown on pc
destal surmounted by star which
was sent by the Fine Arts league.
Nine. Modjeska had consented to be-
come honorary chairman of the dra-
matte committee, looking toward the
establishment of a children's theater,
and was much beloved by all the men,
bers.
The crown was composed of white
roses and carnations, Willie purple and
white sweet peas were also used. The
star was composed entirely of white
blossoms.
beautiful sentiment written by Mrs.
Bertha Hirsch Baruch, which is as
follows:
"Crowned with the glory of artistic
achievement with the love and devo-
ton of friends and family, with the
homage of the world, her royal yet
sweet and gentle spirit has risen from
earth to shine above like a brilliant
star, perpetually transmitting its pure
white light to a reverently admiring
multitude"
"ln Memoriam" on Satin
Beneath this on white satin was I'm
memoriam," inscribed in black, as fol-
lows:
mime. Helena Modjeska, honorary
chairman of the dramatic art commit
tee.-Mr. T. E. Gibbon (presidenD, Mrs.
Oliver c. Bryant (secretary). chairmen
OF art committees; Mrs. w. II. Housh,
art: Mr.. Harley Hamilton, music; Mrs.
Bertha Hirsch Baruch, drama"
The floral offerings, numbering 200,
have not been surpassed in beauty, the
most perfect blossoms having been Sc
lected to compose the various pieces.
The floral offerings were conveyed to
the cemetery in three large wagons
and placed in the receiving vault.
At the Cathedral of st. Vibiana,
where solemn high requiem mass was
celebrated, people began to gather
early in the morning. and at o'clock,
when the doors were opened to those
who had cards of admission, the court
ward and sidewalk were completely
filled with people.
Inside the cathedral all was quiet
save for the constant tread of the feet
of those who were shown to their
seats. For half an hour this was
the bell, when the assembled priests
gathering to receive the body an
nounced to the awaiting throng the
funeral of the noted artist was to be-
gin.
In deep black vestments. heavily en-
broidered in silver, which are rarely
used in church services, which con-
plices, the priests proceeded down the
main aisle of the church, headed by
the acolytes and crossbearer
With the service in which the church
receives its dead the body of Nine.
Modjeska was received solemnly and
the procession began its slow tread
I'D the aisle to the impressive notes of
or the funeral dirge could be heard.
from all parts of the cathedral, sup
pressed sobs, and few eyes were dry
as the procession passed.
Golden Cross Leads Procession
Leading the procession and held aloft
was the golden professional cross. Fol-
lowing the priests came the honorary
and active pail bearers, in turn fol-
lowed by the severely plain but mag
nificent black coffin, on which had been
placed a floral cross of lavender sweet
peas and cluster of Easter lilies, tok-
ems of husband and son. The coffin was
escorted by a guard of honor, fourth
degree members of the Knights of CO.
lumbus, in full regalia.
Behind the coffin came the husband,
supported by his son and daughter-in-
law, and the relatives of the family fol-
lowed.
The coffin was placed just in front of