Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-10
AMERICAS UNKNOWN
HERO RESTS IN ROTUNDA

CONTINUED from Page One)
barked the passing of another minute.
Step by step the bearers labored down
the plank to the dock. Again the pipe
above walled as they stepped ashore.
The unknownu was again on Ameri-
can soil. Slowly the flagdraped casket
moved down by the troops and ma
rines and under the eyes of the blue
jackets standing at the ships rails. AS
they came abreast of the band the
dirge was stilled, a marine bugler
sounded four flourishes Of salute to
a general officer.
Then the strains OF the Star Spangled
Banner rang out.
Again the slow march to the wait
ing gun carriage was taken up. again
the wall of the funeral march cut
thru with the crash OF the gun above
sounded. Beside the caisson stood the
eight body-bearers OF the army headed
by Sergeant Woodfiu, hero of heroes
The soldiers took over the burden at
the guncarriage and then could be
seen a handful of withered flowers.
the only decoration of the flag -draped
casket. They were tie blooms with
which this casket was chosen from
others in France. They will go with
the unknown to his last sleep at Ar
lington.
AS the casket was strapped in place,
an order rang out and the cavalry
band swung off to the left playing
Onward, Christian Soldiers"
Behind them came the troopers, four
abreast. After the caisson and follow
ing the squadron, were Secretary
Weeks and DENLY. riding In closed
car. General Pershing and Admiral
Coontz and behind these other officers
The horses swung away at slow
trot. Ahead the winding road to tie
old gateway was lined with marines
at present arms and behind them row
after row were packed thousands of
American citizens. Out thru the gate
way the cortege clattered to find other
crowds lining the way under the fad
ing daylight On 1t went to swing at
last into the great plaza before the
capitol and there troopers again drew
upsin line facing the massive building
with saores at present as the carket
was carried up the wide stairway to
be placed on the catafalque in the dim
rotunda- The two secretaries bare
headed followed and behind them the
officers and the others. The only
lights were those high among the pill
lars and the last fading CLEANS of
day thru the high windows. The wait
Ing guard which would stand thru the
night about the bier, stood at present
arms as the casket was set in place
on the high black-draped structure,
There was q pause then, until the ring
furry Of drawn steel as the sabres of
the cavalry leaped out to present
10 announce the president and Mrs.
Harding had arrived.
As the President and Mrs. Harding
came into the chamber brilliant lights
leaped up. The cameras clicked About
the bier the guard stood with rifle
butts grounded. Mrs. Harding stepped
forward a wide white ribbon in her
hand. She had stitched 1t herself and
G Fasa .fvNar 4, -
she laid It across the casket. slnsh of
white across the rain-sodden flag with
Its withered cluster of French flowers.
As Mrs. Harding stepped down the
president pinned to the ribbon a silver
shield of the United States set with
furty-cight golden stars. 1t is symbolic
of the heart of the nation.
Then great wreath of crimson
roses was handed Mr.. Harding and he
laid it on the casket near the head and
gave place to Vice President Coolidge
and Speaker Gillette who laid the trip-
ute of congress, wreath OF pink
roses and shapdragon in place Chief
Justice Taft moved forward bearing
the floral tribute OF the supreme court.
wreath OF chrysanthemums and car
nations.
Secretary Weeks laid the army's
token of remembrance, a wreath of
white roses against the casket at the
head and Secretary DENLY placed the
naVy's offering. chrysanthemums and
roses set on an easel at tho foot of
the bier.
Over and to one side next to the wall.
was placed the great mass of pink
blossoms that were warmed to life
by the sun OF France
Then General Pershing stepped for
ward to place his own tribute and that
OF the A. e. F.. on the coffin. It was
wreath Of giant pink chrysanthe-
NUNS and as he placed II, the officer
paused moment then stepped back n
pace or two and drawing his figure to
Its full height. lifted his hand to his
cap brtm in rigid salute.
The only spectators were the few
clustered in tho doorways. The bright
lights blazed for few momonts as
the President and Mrs. Harding went
out to receive again formal honors
from the troops waiting below.
Then the unknown was left alone
with his motionless guard of honor
that was changed at frequent inter
walls. alone with his head eastward to-
ward France. On either side OF the
doorway stand the statues of Lincoln
and Grant as tho they also kept vigil.
And as lights We're switched off tho
aim twilight of the few scattered hid
den electr!cs lot tho shadows fall over
the bier and fill the vast cavern OF the
dome above with a mystery and n
peace that will not be broken until
daylight of the morrow
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