The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-11

Washington, Nov. IA tribute
more mighty and more majestic than
was ever accorded any citizen of the
republic, whatever his rank or station,
was paid by a graceful nation today
to it's unknown war dead.
While the nation stood silent in its
reverence, here in Washington. they
prepared a kingly burial for a modest
patriot who gave his all that the re-
public might survive.
From beneath the great white dome
Of the capitol where he lay all OF yes
terday receiving the reVerent homage
of thousands, the body of this un-
known American soldier was taken
this morning almost before the chill
November sun had struggled up thru
the autumnal haze.
Carried BY Living Heroes.
Living heroes-men who have won
their medals of honor on bloody fields
bore him tenderly from the flower
drenched rotunda to a simple army
caisson for the final journey to Ar
HnEton. the great repository OF the
nations honored dead.
Officers of the army and navy
walked beside his coffin. none but
the hands of gallant comrades of the
great war laid hanGs upon it. Presi-
dent Harding walked behind his bier
to do him homage, former President
Wilson made his first public appear
ance in months, General Pershing
turned aside an opportunity to ride
and trudged beside the body to the
last resting place. Representatives of
foreign governments reverently laid
their highest military decorations on
his casket and with soil from France
where he fell unknown, he was laid
away.
Minute guns at Fort Myer doomed
their continuous tribute as the funeral
procession was passing from the cap
itol to the great marble amphitheater
in Arlington where the ceremonies
were opened with the playing of the
Star SpangIed Banner, by the Marine
band.
Procession FOFzned Early.
The light was not yet full and
strong when the dignitaries of the
government gathered about the bier
OF this always nameless partiot in the
capitol. Already the streets of the
capital were sounding to the tread of
stamping horses and the rumble of
moving artillery, and great crowds
lined the curbs on both sides.
First came the body bearers, medal
of honor smen-aH, Sergeant Taylor
of the cavalry; Sergeant Radza of the
artillery; Ser .eeant Woodfin of the in
fantry; Sergeant Dell of the field ar
tillery; Chief 5Eater Tender O'Connor
of the navy; Sergeant johnson of the
marines; Chef Torpedo Man Delaney
of the navy and Sergeant Saunders of
the army engineers.
About them stood the honorary pail
bearers. high ranking officers Of the
army and the navy-Admiral Hugh
Rodman. who commanded the de
stroyer fleet with the British during
the war; Mai. Gen. Charles C. Nor
ton: Rear Admiral Henry B. Wilson;
Read Admiral Plungett; Maj. Gen. W.
c. Neville; Major General Shanks;
Mai c IN. w. G. Ham; Major General
Richards; Mai. Gen. J. G. Harbori:
Mai. Gen. Clarence Edwards; Mai
Gen. Charles T. Menoher, and Maj.
Gen. John F. ORyan of New York
fame.
Played "Ncar My God to Thee"
Reverently they watched as the
body bearers, with a tenderness not
attributed to soldiers, picked up their
lig..t burden from the same catafalque
that had borne Lincoln and Garfield
and Mckinley.
out in the capitol grounds was
gathered a notable assembly-the
president of the United States, the
vice president, members of the SEN
ate and of the house, and here and
there cleaned the brilliancy of for
eign uniform.
Across the deathly stiffness of the
early morning came sweet and true
(Continued on Page r6OJ