The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-21
Body of the American Ambas-
sadOr Starts Home.
The Coffin Is Borne on a Gun
Carriage.
SQUADRON OF HORSE GUARDS
Leads the Procession From the
Deceased's Late Home.
British Warship Win Convey
the Remains to America.

London, Dec. 21.-The body of the
American ambassador whitelaw Reid,
was started on it's journey to the Uni
ted States today and the highest mill
tary honors We're paid to it, as it left
London.
The coffin was placed on a gun car
riage drawn by six horses and driven
by men of the Royal Horse artillery.
The Stars and Stripes were spread over
the casket. Eight noncommissioned
officers acting as bearers walked at
each side.
The procession started from Dorces-
ter house on its way to Victoria sta
ton. 1t was led by a squadron Of the
Horse Guard in bright breast plates,
helmets with long plumes and great
scarlet cloaks enveloping horse and
man. The band of the Scots Guards
followed and behind them came the
pipers Of the regiment, who alternated
with the other musicians in playing
dirges.
Then came the casket which was
followed by a battalion of Scots Guards
wearing their bearskin head dresses
and carrying their rifles reversed.
At the same time a battery OF horse
artillery stationed on the parade
ground in St James park fired a
salute OF 19 guns. The route OF the
procession was kept clear by lines of
The only mourner who ACCOMPANIED
the coffin was Corporal Donovan, a
P-itish army pensioner from Chelsea
hospital. who had been in Whitelaw
Relds service He marched directly
behind the coffin
Guard of Honor.
A guard of honor drawn up inside
Victoria station presented arms as the
coffin was brought in. Gathered inside
the depot We're Majcr General Sir Al
&C.. H. -
the London district with his staff: The
members of the American embassy and
consulate-general; six aged Civil war
veterans bearing flags: Ogden Mills
Reid, John Ward, the earl OF Granard
and a group Of prominent American
residents All stood uncovered while
the coffin was placed on the catafalque
in the purple-draped car of the special
train. The band of the Scots guards
played abide With Me-" and as the
train drew out OF the station the guard
of honor presented arms and the pipers
playe1 "The Flowers of the Forest
a moving Highland dirge-
The STATS of the American embassy
and consulate general Travelled on the
same tram to Portsmouth, where the
coffin will be placed on board the
British armored cruiser Natal, which
is to take it to New York
Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, ogden Mills
Reid and his wife departed today at
where they embarked on board the
Carmania for New York. A few inti-
mate friends gathered to bid them
farewell.
Run Up Stars and Stripes.
All the ships in the harbor and at
Spithead raised the stars and stripes
to their mastheads as the coffin was
taken on board the Natal and then
lowered them to halfmast- The jetty
was carpeted with purple while guards
al honor
stood with reversed arms on each side
as the casket was taken through The
petty officers bearing the casket walk
ed slowly to the mortuary chapel lined
with purple, which had been erected
on the weather deck the Natal and
as they deposited it on the catalogue
the ships buglers sounded the last
post while the crew Of the warship
lined the rails.
The =. reaths sent by President Taft
and the members of the royal family
completely SLED the little mortuary
chapel which is so placed that it can
be lowered in case of heavy weather.
By a coincidence the hospital ship
Maine, presented to England by Amer
the cruiser Natal There was no ser
vice on board the Natal. which left
port precisely on scheduled time,
passing through the lines of the other
vessels which all had their flags at
halfmast and crews standing at the
salute.
Naval Honors.
Portsmouth, Eng. Dec H-FuI1
naval honors were paid to the body of
Ambassador Reid on its arrival from
London.
Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, com
mander of the port. and all the high
naval officers stationed here were pres
ent at the station when the train drew
up. As it halted Nelson's flagship. the
Victory, fired a salute Of 19 minute
guns The coffin was borne across the
jetty on the shoulders Of eight petty
officers Of the British navy and taker
on board the armored cruiser Natal