The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-01

, One OF the largest thrOngs ever as
sembled In Memphis on a similar oe-
casion gathered at the Scottish RITE
cathedral on. Union avenue TUESDAY
afternoon. The body had been brought
from Mr. Houck's home. IA Tate street,
at II o'clock and lay In state until time
fer services. Simplicity marked the
home ceremonies earlier In the dag,
None but members of the family were
present O. X, Houek, the man and
citizen, was eulogized by Rev. Thomas
PottE and Dr. Ben Cox, ministers OF
the church into which Mr. Houck was
to have been baptized on the morning
of his death.
Mr. Houck only few days prior to
his confinement had conferred with Or.
Cox and expressed his intention OF en-
tering the Central Baptist church. sun
day morning two boys from the Grip
pied Chlldren's Hospital school in
which Mr. Houck held devoted inter
est even in his dying hours were taken
into the church. Mr., Houck was TO
have received sanctuary with them.
Brother Masons Of like degree formed
the cast of Calvary chapter taking part
in the beautiful and impressive Rose
CroiX ceremony at the cathedral. Long
before the time for the opening OF these
services at the cathedral friends OF MIR,
Houok filled the chapel, and Union
avenue for blocks was lined with au-
tos,
The ancient rites, az decreed by the
Rose Croft Csevire, were said, euloRy
paid and the cross Of red roses laid
on the casket Four intimate friends OF
the dead man, Mack Buckingham, Joe
Fowler, walker Taylor and Buford
white were in the cast, assisted by
DR.. c. II. Williamson,
Services at Grave.
Blue lodge services conducted by
DeSoto lodge, were to be held Mt the
grave In Forest Hin cemetery. This.
with the dropping of evergreen leaves
in the. open grave, was probably the
most impressive feature Of the days
rites. Rev. A, B. Curry was TO assist
the DeSoto lodge members.
The grave Ia located on little knoll
in Forest Hin looking back toward the
city which Mr.. Houck loved so well
and for which he virtually eonsecrated
The funeral cortege was TO move
from the cathedral late In the after
noon. Knights Templar were to flank
the hearse, while In the procession
places had been assigned the Shrine
band, the patrol and chanters. Other
secret societies, as well as representa-
tive bodies Of civic organizations, were
in line.
The Chamber OF Commerce was
closed for one hour. Only reading
| rooms and writing rooms were open.
Mr.. Houck was n life member OF this
| organization and conspicuous to the
very last in its activities.
Music dealers after appropriate reso-
buttons passed Monday afternoon, were
closed after 1 o'clock Tuesday. BY
express order OF Mayor Paine all city
departments ceased operations between
2:SO and 3:S0. The regular Tuesday
city commission meeting was adjourned
until wednesday,
DR.. w. II. Fineshrlber. member OF
the Rotary club, spoke in fitting terms
OF Mr. Houck before that organiZa-
ton Tuesday at a memorial meeting
which took the place OF the clubs us
ual weekly session. Various other me-
MORALS were planned and flags over
several buildings In the city were at
half mast for the man who had been
termed Memphis foremost private cii-
zen.
Dr. Cox Sunday morning will preach
on 20. X. Hopck, the Servant"