Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-24
Funeral Of h. H. Rogers
Saturday at Faifhaven.
Entire Town Observes Day As
A Day Of Mourning.
Estate Valued at $45,0 900, 000..-
Recently Gave Away 1000, 900.

Fairhaven, Mass. May 23.-In mas
siye Greek inausoleum on knoll over
looking OF Henry HutlestOne Rogers
rest near the bodies of his mother
and daughter. AS tribute Of respect
and affection for it's most distinguish
ed SON. Fairhaven observed saturday
as a day of mourning. Business was
suspended throughout the town, pub
lie buildings were drapcd in mourning
and Gaga were displayed at half mast.
Silent lines of children from the schools
built by Mr.. Rogers generosity, filed
by the casket in which repOsed all that
was mortal of sorrowing residents of
the town took one look at the race
of their friend and former fellow CIT
zen, as the body lay in state in the
imposing Gothic church erected by the
financier az memorial to his deceased
mother.
Loving and respecting Mr.. Rogers
during his life the people Of Fairhaven
today honored him in death.
The funeral services. while simple
and free from ostentation, were most
impressive The church. patterned
after a famous English cathedral and
q splendid example of pure Gothic ar
chitccture, bore no mourning emblems
Hughe banks of flowers in front OF the
altar where the casket was placed,
and a great mound of blooms In the
pew reserved for Mr. Rogers person.
al use, were the only external eV1-
dences of death But the faces of the
tOWnSpeODla and the uncontrolled
weeping gave some indication of the
universal grief felt by Mr.. Rogers
Fairhaven friends.
As the body lay in state in the
church more than 800 school children
passed by the casket. The children had
no opportunity to gaze upon the fea-
lures of their friend and helper. as
the casket was not opened until after
the last Of the little ones had filed
through the church. AS the adult res
idents filed by, however, the blanket
of pink orchids which covered the cas-
ket was rolled back, the casket was
opened and the familiar features were
exposed to view. For two hours
steady stream of tOwnspeOple passed
through the church. and then the
massive doors were closed for brief
period. Throughout the period that the
body was in the church it was attend
ed By a guard of Free MaSonS, repre-
senting George II. Taher Lodge of this
town, to which Mr.. Rogers had pre-
scented a fine Masonic hall. and Star in
the East Lodge of New Bedford, of
which he had been an active member
for more than 40 years.
The funeral services were held at 2.30
p. NJ. admission being limited TO tick
ct holders. So great. however. was the
number of Mr.. Rogers personal friends
that the capacity OF the church was
taxed. The service was simple, con-
sistinS of music by organ and choir,
the reading of the Unitarian funeral
ritual, tribute to Mr.. Rogers mem
DRY by Rev. Frank l.. Phalan. pastor
OF tho church, and Il tribute of appre-
citation by Rev. DR.. Robert Colyer, the
vtnt rable pastor of Mr.. Rogers New
York church, the Church of the Mes
S!ah. a prayer by Rev. DR.. Samuel A.
Elliott. president of the American
Unitarian Association. and benedic-
tiun by Mr. Phalan brought the SER
vices to q close.
Interment was at Riverside ceme-
terry. where the Rogers mausoleum is
located The services at the tomb We're
Of the simplest character, consisting of
prayer. committal service and d final
word of farewell by Or. coilyer.