Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-08-13
FLAGS DROPPED
IN WASHINGTON
FOR MRS. WILSON
Simple Service in the White
House Preceded Trip of
Special Train from
Washington.

Washington, Aug. 10-Woodrow VIII
son. President of the United States. was
making the saddest journey Of his life
tonight. In a special train bearing the
body of Mrs, Wilson to It's final resting
place beside the graves of her father
and mother, he was on the way to
Rome, Ga, surrounded by his daughters
and a few members Of his own and his
wife's families
The last simple ceremony of the funeral
Will take place tomorrow afternoon in
the quiet wooded cemetery of the Georgia
town. Then the President will turn again
to the heavy burdens of office and the
loneliness of the White House.
While flags dropped at half mast
throughout the capital to-day and thou
sands of men and women gathered in
the wide avenue before the closed gates
of the White House grounds. the first
service was held over Mrs. Wilson'S body
in the east room. The flags, the crowds,
the closing of the government depart
ments in the Afternoon and the masses
Of flowers which overlooked the east
room were the nations only way of ex-
pressing its sympathy for its chief execu-
tive in his grief
SERVICE MOST SIMPLE.
In accordance with Mrs. Wilson s
wish the service was of the simplest
character. There was no music. only
the reading of a few verses from the
Bible, a prayer by the Rev Sylvester
Beach Of the church which the Wilson
family attended during their years in
Princeton, II. j., and benediction
pronounced by the Rev. ]. H. Taylor.
at whose church the President has
worshipped since he came to Wash
ington.
Less than 200 were present. Be-
innate friends. the members of the
cabinet and their wives. the commit
tees from the Senate and House, head =
ed by the vice-president and the
speaker and the employees of the
White House.
The casket was borne from the
White House by six members of the
city police force who for many years
have guarded the home of the presi-
dents. There We're no honorary pail
bearers.
Few saw the funeral party pass on
its way to the union station, where the
train awaited it, The drive was made
over less frequented streets and only
three closed automobiles bearing the
President and a dozen men. relatives
or close friends of the family, follow
ed the hearse.
THOUSANDS STAND IN RAIN.
AS the party drew up before the
street entrance of the station, a vio-
lent thunder shower began. Within
the station a crowd had gathered that
taxed the great structure to its linn
it's Outside thousands more braved
the drenchinE rain to stand in silent
sympathy Passing through a lane
walled by humanity, the casket was
carried TO the waiting train. On it
rested a single wreath, the last gift
of the President and his daughters.
Close behind walked the President
with a secret service agent beside him.
Then followed his companions walking
three abreast. At the train they halted.
as the casket was carried into the car,
and stood In silence afterward until the
Presidents three daughters and his sons
in-laW arrived The members of the
family then entered the private car in
which the casket had been placed. To-
night az tho train sped southwark they
shared the sad vigil Other members
of the party rode In special cars. and
baggage car carried part of the hun
dreds of floral pieces,
Among the flowers at the White House
were many elaborate designs. Washing
ton florists were called upon as never
before Orders came by cable and tele-
graph from every part of the world
Scarcely capital of the world or a
city OF the United States was unrcpre-
scented. great blanket OF orchids sent
by the Democratic clubs Of Baltimore
was carried by six men. Only a small
part OF the flowers could be sent with
the train and the remainder will go to
the hospitals of the city. as Mrs. Will
sons last gift to the sick and suffer-
ing.