The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-08
COL. ROOSEVELT
BURIED while A
NATION MOURNS
Hundreds Gather To Pay Their
Last Tribute to Him.
Mrs. Roosevelt Attended Only
Services at the Home.
GREAT AMERICAN At REST
No Music at the Church, and
Only Short Ritual.
Body Is Laid in Grave in
Family Burial Plot
GREAT AMERICAN AT REST

Oyster Bay, Jan. S.-Except for two
sons, absent as soldiers in their coun-
try's service overseas, the family OF
Theodore Roosevelt assembled in the
living room at Sycamore Hill shortly
before noon today for the first of
trinity of simple services-at home,
church. and graveside-with which the
body of the noted American was to be
laid to rest.
Mrs. Roosevelt decided not to attend
the church services nor to join the
procession to the cemetery. 1t was
announced that she would bid goodby
TO the body of her companion In the
house where they lived for many
years, while her children would see
all that was mortal of their famous
father committed to earth in the fam
iIy plot topping the highest hill in
Young's Memorial cemetery, overlook
ing Long Island sound.
This observance consisted merely of
a few prayers uttered by the Rev. G
L. Talmege.
rhe funeral procession from the
house to the church was composed of
fifteen automobiles. Those assigned
to the first car were Mr.. and Mrs:
Nj las Longworth. Mrs. Archibald
Roosevelt Mrs Richard Derby and
CAPTAIN Roosevelt Ahead.
Preceding the motor hearse ten
rlinutes, Cept. Archie Roosevelt AMI
Theodore Douglas Robinson went to
the Uncovered church to make final
Z GrranGements. Every seat in the
church was occupied.
Christmas ecorst.ons-siving rise
to thoughts of the holidays and good
edeer-w re still in place in the
church. EverEreens were in the chan
eel and attached to the roof was a
hu'rP green Christmas bell. -
The body was carried into Christ
church shortly before l o'clock and
the s;mr7e funeral service began at
once With reading of the ceremonial,
then Psalms 80 and 90. The fifteenth
cAeDter of First Corinthians was read
as the scriptUral lesson.
His Favorite Hymn.
Afterward the minister recited the
words of Colonel Roosevelts favorite
hymn. "Hcw Firm Foundation Ye
81 'nts OF the Lord"
Then followed the creed. the Lords
prryer ard other supplicatiOns There
was no music whatever. even the GUS
tomary playing Of soft chords by the
organlst before the service being dis
pensed with
Colonel Roosevelt's coffin was placed
in the ctancel. its foot toward the
altar. Tho immediate family had
places in front, in the center of the
church.
Senators and members of the house
of representatives who arrived on a
soecial train. occupied the pews on one
side. General March. chief of staff,
and former President Taft came late
and had much trouble getting into the
church. owing to the crowd at the
entrances.
After the church service. attended
by lees than 500 relatives, personal
fricrds. political and literary associates
of the former president and repre-
sentatives of the American allied gov
ernments. the cortege moved to the
cemetery haltins at the entrance, the
casltet was carried to the Roosevelt
plot short distance away After the
brief committal service of the Episco-
pal church the body was lowered into
a grave lined with concrete
Flag Covers Coffin.
The body was committed to earth at
1:43 p m.
The coffin was wrapped in a United
States flag. The flag of the First VOL
unteer cavalry. the Rough Riders, was
also draped upon it. on top of the
coffin was small wreath
just as the body was borne into the
church, the sun came out for the first
time today. slinting on the snow which
covered everything. There was a
solemn silence broken only by the
shuffling of the undertakers profes-
sional pallbearers. The most tense
moment seemed to be when the mortal
remains of Colonel Roosevelt were
carried slowly up the aisle while Doc
tor TalFlage imgressively uttered the
first sentences Of the Episcopal fu-
neral ritual.
The service in the church lasted lust
eighteen minutes. Many in the crowd
were weeping when the coffin was
brought out. Among those who stood
in the road were many old men who
mad known the eX-president for wears
They seemed deeply affected, lean
ing heavily on walking sticks their
white heads bowed in grief.
The highway from Christ church +o
the cemetery was lined with automo-
biles. old fashioned country wagons
and by peofie who had come fror1
New York and from the small towns
of Long Island. AS the cortege started
for the graveyard, the church bell
tolled and the moaning of a Cog horn
on Long Island sound added melan-
choly note
The crowd became denser nearer the
cemetery. All points of Vantare
from which view of the grave could
he obtained were thronged When the
hearse reached the cemetery the only
floral tribute at the grave was a sin
gle orchid, which some passerbv had
thrust into the mound of new, yellow
earth cast up. beside Colonel Roose
velts last resting place.
Services at the Grave.
Services at the Eraveside were very
brief last'ng hardly more than three
T1inlteS Tho c1Si-ot was carriad nm
(continued on Page Iwo.)