The Washington times., 1917-01-20
Simplicity Marks First Funeral
Ceremony for Dead Hero
of Manila Bay.
REV. R. C. SMITH oFFICIATES
President Pays Tribute for Peo-
pie of Nation at Side of
the Casket.

SlhlPilCllN anu SOleIlHily Hdi heu
brief funeral services for Admiral
Dewey at his X street residence.
While the short Episcopal ritual for
the dead was read by the Rev. Ro-
land Cotton Smith. rector of ST.
Johns Church, Mrs. Dewey and other
Immediate relatives of the distin-
guished naval hero stood at the left
of the cssket in silent grief. Opposite
them stood President Wilson and Mrs.
Wilson, near whom were gathered
members of the Cabinet. the Supreme
Court of the United States, army and
navy, and two houses of Congress, the
diplomatic corps. and a few intimate
friends of Admiral Dewey in pri.
vate life.
Many On Sidewalk.
Outside the house more than 1000
men, women, and children assembled
to pay a final tribute to the hero of
Manila bay and to witness the start
of the funeral corteGe.
Although the room in which the
funeral services were held, as well as
practically all the others on the sec
ond floor, was banked deep with large
floral tributes, only one rested on the
gray enamel casket.
This was a huge wreath of pale
purple orchids sent by the President
Of the United States in behalf of the
people of the nation.
Borne BY Seamen.
At the conclusion of the reading of
the ritual the casket was borne to
the street by twelve .seamen. As they
emerged every man in the throng
lining IN street and Sixteenth street
removed his hat, while the women
and children stood with bowed heads |
until the flag draped casket was
placed in the hearse.
The procession from the residence to |
the street was led by the Rev. Doctor |
Smith, behind whom walked the Presi- |
dent and Mrs. Wilson. The President |
stood with barred head until 'the hearse |
nad moved from in front of the house. |
He was accomuanied my Col. W. w. |
Harts, his military aide, and DIR. T.. Cary |
Grayson and Capt. Robert X. Berry, ma
val aides.
Officers Follow President.
Following the President were Gen.
Hugh L. Scott. ranking officer Of the
United States Army and General Tasker
Bliss, and Rear Admiral Benson. A
score or more other high officers of the
army and navy formed in line on the
awaiting the formation OF the
funeral cortege.
Shortly after the hearse moved
from the residence the regiment of
Naval Cadets from Annapolis formed
= line several blocks long, beginning
an front of the AdmiraIs home. The
cadets stood facing the line of car
laiges in the cortege and when it
started they formed behind the
hearse.
Spain Is Represented.
Among the comparatively small
of persons invited to attend
the funeral at the residence were the
spanish ambassador and his wife, the
japanese ambassador and his naval
and military aides, and the French
ambassador.
The members of the Cabinet at the
house were Secretary of the Navy
Daniels, Secretary of War Baker. and !
Secretary OF State Lansing, both of ,
whom were accompanied by their |
wives. Chief Justice White and Asso- |
ciate Justice MckennG, of the Su-
preme Court, were invited as friends
Of the late admiral \ number Of $
Senators and Congressman also as
sembled at the bier.
McEeGns Attend. !
Edward 3. Mclean and Mrs. Nc. '
Lean attended as relatives of Admiral :
Dewey. William Randolph Hearst
md Mrs. Hearst were invited as the {
cayal hero's friends.
Although the crowd around the .
Dewey residence remained long after
he funeral cortege had moved east on
K street toward the Capitol hoping To
zee Mrs. Dewey and other members
IF the family, the widow did moi
cave the house. 1t was announced
hat Mrs. Dewey would not go to the
capitol. ,
Mrs. Dewey allowed the nation to !
axe charge Of all that was mortal of ]
he admiral to pay honor to his mem :
Try, but personally she abided by one 1
II the last wishes he expressed ]
which was that his funeral be as
simple as the nation would permit.
Buried In Full Uniform.
Admiral Dewey was buried in the
ull uniform of his rank. This was
n accOfdance with his wish.
After his death his body was viewed ,
. none other than Mrs. Dewey, the ]
and a sculptor. who made .
plaster cast Of the naval hero's feat
res as he lay in the casket. This was
n compliance with another Of Admiral
,2wey's wishes. One of his latest re-
nests was that his body not be allowed
D lie in state. and that only his widow
hold gaze upon him in death.
Shortly before the funeral services at
he home began. Mrs. Dewey entered
ae room In which the body rested on
he bier. and remained alone in her
Tief for few moments. The casket
as then closed, and the wreath of
rchids sent by the President placed at
- head, while at the other end an
-nerican flag was wrapped.
Crowd Gathered Early.
The crowd gathered in front Of
he Dewey residence more than an
our before the funeral services be-
an. Inspector Boyle, Captain Sulli-
an, Lieutenant Wilson and a score
patrolmen and mounted policemen
ID difficult task in keeping the
lrong in check, the men. women, and
lildren pressing so close to the en-
-ance as to obstruct the funeral
'rtege. The lawns and steps Of the
residences adjoining and
.rOss the sfrees from tho nou,,,,