The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-05-10

, War had brought suffering to
, Queenstown long before the disaster
at the city's gates. but the sinking Of
the big liner struck into the very
, midst of this peaceful city, one of
wars most frightful blows. In this
city of dead with its half masted flags
and its universal air of tragedy, the
shock bore a deeper sting because the
dead were not soldiers and sailors of
the fighting line. but peaceful men and
! women and even little children.
React Same Scenes.
Not since the great disaster of many
years ago when hurricane swept the
port sinking a French frigate, with
the loss of many lives has Queenstown
presented such a funeral appearance.
At that time the corpses of hundreds
of victims were carried to the old
cemetery four miles out from the city
and buried with the simplicity that
always marks the interment of human
| sacrafices in disasters. The scenes to-
| day were identical
The yellow earth cleaned in the
morning sunshine when the first con-
! signment of the dead arrived and the
cha plains began to chant the death
service over the bodies of these sold
| iers of peace.
Under the shadow of the time
stained monument erected to the men,
ory of those French dead. mourners
| gathered for their last tribute to the
| memory of the present day victims of
Germany, the ancient enemy of
| France.
Train Lasted All Day.
1t had been intended to have each
| body carried in separate vehicle.
! but as there were only eight hearses
in the city and the number of other
vehicles and horses was limited, owing
to the demands of war it had to be
abandoned. In consequence the bod
les had to be borne in relays and the
| funeral services lasted all day.
| Another difficulty was experienced
| in getting enough coffins and demands
were made upon other cities. Finally
| the required number were secured, al
though some of them were make-shift
affairs.
Detachments Of troops and squads
of seamen together with coTdons of
mounted militia police, escorted the
/ hearses to the cemetery. Clergymen
! of all creeds united in common serv-
/ ice for the dead.
! On account of the hot weather and
the condition of some of the bodies
they could not be embalmed, but haN
to be sealed up in air tight coffins as
! quickly as possible. Many relatives,
| speeding here for a last glimpse of
| their loved ones will be denied that
privilege.
Dig Sixty Graves.
Members of the Connaugnt Rangers
had been detailed for grave digging
service. They eXcavated three huge
| pits. each twenty by thirty-six feet. ac-
commodating sixty coffins- In addi-
tion dozens of grave diggers dug
scores of individual graves.
A movement has already been start
ed to erect memorial shaft above the
| graves.
Pathetic scenes marked the day In
the improvised morgue and mortuary
| chapels, from which the dead were re-
moved. None of the bodies was en-.
cased in shrouds. all of them wearing
the clothing which they wore when
/ picked up out of the sea. 1t was a
CHASTITY sight. Among the corpses
/ were the bodies of four babies, all
/ dressed in white and in their bare
feet. The little hands OF these tiny
victims were relaxed in contrast with
the clinched fists of most of the ma.
Icontinuea on Page seven.l !