Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1914-05-22
100000 HONOR
SAILOR HEROES
Great Multitude Views Funeral
in Philadelphia
CITY, STATE AND NATION JOIN
Tribute to Seamen Slain at Vera Cruz
Most Remarkable Ever Seen In the
Quaker City,.

Most Remarkable Ever Seen In the
Quaker City,.
While a multitude, estimated at
about 100000 persons, locked on in
sorrow, the bodies of Georac Mcken.
zie Poinsett and Charles Allen Smith,
ordinary seamen, killed at Vera CrJz
were carried through the streets oil
Philadelphia in pageant that was one
of the most remarkable ever seen in
that city.
For three miles the fag-enshrouded
caskets in which the bodies OF the
sailor youths lay were drawn on gun
carriages between lines of men, wom'
en- and children, who stood in ranks
seven and eight deep. Unlike all other
public gatherings in recent years, the
great throng was silent, almost rev.
erent.
Flags at half-staff, flying above the
crowds, indicated city's mourning
and as the caskets themselves as3ea
along every hat was removed whlle
the spectators bowed their heads.
City, state and nation had p IN
the gigantic tribute to the sailor Cs1 |.
Mayor Blankenburg, Philade.yAi.'s
delegation in congress, membe.S OF
councils and other officials rode Ii mo-
tor cars and carriages behind the cas-.
kets.
Sailors and marines from the Phlla'
delphia navy yard, nearly 500 OF them'
were escorts for the bodies, as was
the entire strength of the First Brt
gade of the National Guard. Relatives
Of the dead occupied places of honor
In the line. And bringing up the rear
were soldiers of other wars, the vet
Grams of Foreign Service and Veterans
of the Spanish War.
Two or three older men, who wore
the blue and the badge Of the Grand
Army of the Republic, also were In
line, while William burst, the last sur
vivor of the men who fought on the
Monitor against the Confederate ram
Merrimac, rode on the drivers seat oil
a carriage.
In carriages also were borne large
and handsome floral decorations, In
cluding wreaths from President Will
son, gigantic American flag from
the knights of Columbus and a minia'
ture battleship of flowers, the gift OF
the sailors and marines of the reserve
fleet, now at League Island.
The parade started from Independ'
ence Hall. The line Of march led up
Fifth street from Walnut to Market
street, thence to the city hall and then
north to Berks street, where tie mill
tary and naval escort formed in two
lines to let the caskets, the officials
and the organizations which followed
pass through and into Monument Gem.
etery.
Arrived at Monument cemetery, the
caskets were placed in motor hearses.
Poinsett's body was taken to Hillside
cemetery for burial, and the body OF
Smith was taken to Fernwood ceme
terry for burial. With each went
squad of marines to fire salute over
the grave and bugler to blow Taps"
the call which, in both the naval and
military branches of the country's ser.
vice, means Lights out"
But, while the procession was the
crowning feature of the tribute which
the city paid to its hero dead, 1t was
hardly more impressive than were the
scenes earlier in the day. Through the
room where the caskets lay in the old
supreme court room in Independence
Hall, filed for six hours a steady
stream of men, women and children.
1t was estimated that 100000 per.
sons saw the caskets and the floral
decorations in the dimly-lighted rooms
before the line was denied admittance.
Another $4,000 assembled in the vicin'
ity independence square and stayed
until the procession started.