The sun., 1918-07-12

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mother. had been escorted to her seat by
Justice George v. Mullan, while Mrs.
John Purroy Mitchell leaned on the arm
of the Rev. DR.. John Mitcnei Page
cousin Of the late Majo: and an Eplsco-
pal clergyman from Illinois. The fam
lily party and close friends filled ten
pews to the north Of the centre aisle,
and they were already seated when the
coffin was carried into the cathedral.
The entire ceremony within the cathe-
dral was simple and impressive. Die
Obitus. mass Of requiem, was celebrated,
and at the request OF Major Mitchers
family no sermon was delivered. There
was no military aspect to the mass
aside from the flag draped coffin and
the presence in the church OF no many
officers. The roll of mufrled drums was
not heard. nor was there a presentation
OF arms by a guard OF honor at the ele-
walton Of the host, as was done last May
at the funeral Of Capt Resnati.
Priests Hold Lighted Candles.
The one UNUSUAL feature OF the cere-
mony was that the priests in the chancel
held lighted candles throughout the cele-
bratlon OF the mass, a custom commonly
employed in the Greek Church but sell
dom used in the Roman Catholic. within
the sanctuary rail were twenty priests In
Guiding Mgr. Lavelle and Mgr. James
Mclean, rector OF st. Peters Church In
Barclay street While the mass was
celebrated by the Rev. Terence J. Shealy
Orsanist James c. Ungerer and n choir
OF twenty men and eighty boys rendered
the music.
Following the celebration and as the
people within the Cathedral rose to their
feet tho organ pealed 1.-THE Star Span
gled Banner" and instantly out In the
avenue the long line of soldiers that had
been at ease snapped to taut attention.
the men presenting arms, the officers at
salute.
This was at :32 p. NJ. and as the
coffin was carried down the steps to be
placed within a funeral car. the gun
cSisson having served Its purpose. the
| strains OF the nations anthem were still
rolling from the great building. The
| mass OF those who had taken part In the
procession dispersed. Mayor Hylan and
| his officials, Gov. whitman and his stan
and the many delegations joining the
crowds in the avenue.
The honorary pallbearers did not ac-
company the body to Woodlawn for the
military interment. only the members OF
the family and Major Mitchers closest
| friends making that journey. They
carried an airplane fashioned in flowers
Crowds All Along Route.
/ A Police Department automobile
cleared the way for the funeral process
sion. assisted by a detachment OF motor
cycle police. Immediately following the
| hearse came the limousine with Major
Mitchers wife and mother and behind 1t
| the remaining eighteen automobiles car
rying relatives and intimate friends.
| Continuing up Fifth avenue 20 120th
street tho cortege turned west to Madi-
scn avenue and then north. crossing the
Harlem River over the l3sth street
| bridge.
| In the bridge plaza another crowd
! paid silent tribute "a the cars swept by
=, and turned into Mott avenue. All along
the Grand Concourse the public had
| gathered to honor Major Mitchel's mem
DRY.
At the end Of the Concourse the cor
toge turned into Jerome avenue and
along 1t TO the southwest gate OF Wood
| lawn Cemetery.
The Mitchell family plot lies in the
southeastern corner OF the burial ground.
and the hearse approached II along a
softly shaded driveway, stopping just
south OF flower banked monument
where an open grave waited for the body
Of the son to be laid to rest beside that
Of his father.
At least 5000 were In the cemetery
or the sloping hill behind the grave. al
though a few-possibly 200 or 800
were scattered south OF the plot and
east OF it further down the sloping HILL
side.
Last Rites at Grave.
1t was 40 when the funeral party
grouped about the grave and the eight
soldier pallbearers lifted the heavy cas-
ket and bore II to the edge.
The Rev. Father Terence s. Shealy,
Father ]. II. Smith of ST. Francis
Xavier's and Father Thomas White
sprinkled holy water over the casket,
the flag and the dead Majors service
cap were removed, the Catholic burial
service was intoned by the priests and
at ] Al the body was lowered into the
grave.
Mrs. John Purroy Mitchell, supported
by the Rev John Mitchell Page and
Mrs. James Mitchell. the mother, on the
arm of Justice George V. Mullan. stood
near the head OF the grave. other rela-
tives and friends behind them and a,
their side.
As the last Latin phrase was sounded
by the ofnclating priest a detail OF sew
enteen soldiers from Company b. Twen-
ty-second Infantry. commanded by Lieut.
w. T. French. who had been standing
at attention. responded with automatic
precision to the quiet commands of thei,
officer.
Load"
Ready"
Aim go
, Fire
The volley rang out. disturbing tn,
echoes OF the Bronx River Valley, anC
then came a second and a third volley
FLAPS" Sounded by BugIer.
Unload. Attention." was the mex
command, and Bugler James O. Painte
OF Company B. Twenty-second Infantry
: walked to the edge OF the flower covered
I grave.
, Two airplanes had been circllng owe
. the gathering and as Painter sounde,
!. Taps the burial service for John Pur
a roy Mitchell came to an end
The last echo of the call was cominI
: | from the other side OF the valley AM
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