South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-10

gun forward barked again tho pass
ing Of another minute
Step by step the bearers labored
down the plank sanded against the
slippery murk of the rain. 10 ne
cobbled dock floor below AEa.n
the pipe above walled as they step
ped ashore at last and the unknown
was again on American soil
Play National Hymn
Slowly the flag draped casket NOV
ed down between the line Of troops
and marines and under the ewes Of
the bluejackets standing rigidly az
the ships rails high above. AS they
came abreast Of the ships band the
dige was stalled, "A marine bugler
sounded foul rourishes of salute 20
a general officer Then the stirring.
lifting strains Of the Star Spangled
Banner rang out 10 the gray sky.
the nations own hymn OF freedom.
Again the SLOW march 20 the watt
ing gun carriage was taken UP. again
the wall OF the funeral march. cut
through with the crash Of the gun
above. sounded. The caisson waited
in space between the second and
third squadrons OF the full strength OF
the Third cavalry from Fort Meyer
and beside il stood the eight body
bearers OF the army headed 10y Ser
geant Woodhiu OF Indiana, a hero
Of heroes among Americans who
fought in France.
The soldiers took over the bur
den at the gun carriage and then
could be seen a withered handful OF
flowers, the only decoration Of the
flag wrapped casket. They were
the blooms with which this caslxet
was chosen from others there I'm
France before the long journey home
began. Through it all they have
lain there above the breast OF the
dead. yellowIng with each passing
day. They viii go with the un-
known to his last sleep in the stone
crypt at Arlington.
Cavalry Band Plays.
As the caslet was strapped in
place, an order rang out and the
cavalry band swung off 10 the left
playing Onward Christian Sol
diers." Behind them. sabers, cap
brims and sodden colors dripping
with rain, came the troopers four
abreast, troop after troop. Then the
caisson, the following squadron.
Sec'ys., Weeks and DENLY riding to-
gether IN a closed car Cen. PERISH
ing and Admiral Coontz and behind
these the other officers and officials.
The horses swung away at a slow
trOt Ahead the winding road 20 the
old gateway was lined on either side
with marines at present arms and
behind them. row after row. were
packed the thousands OF Just plain
American citizens who had braved
cold and rain for hours 20 stand
Iareheaded as the body OF this hon
ored fellow countryman was carried
by.
Out through the gateway the
Cortege clattered % find other crowds
lining the way under the daylight
of a fading autumn day. IL moved
quickly on through the streets. ring
ing 10 the melody OF the band and
the drumming Of the horses shoes
on the wet pavement On 10 went. n
swing at last, into the great plaza
before the capitol and there troop
ers again drew up In line, facing hte
massive building with sabers, az
present" IS the Casket was lifted
down and carried UP the wide stair
way 20 be placed on the catafalqua
IN the dim r0tunda. The two secre-
taries. bareheaded followed and be-
hind them the officers and others.
There were a few IN the great
hall. The only lights were thoss
high among the pillars above the
sculptured walls and the last fad
ing CLEANS IL daylight through the
long night about the bier, stood az
present arms as the casket was car
ried in and set in place on the high
black draped structure on which
the body of Mckinley was last 30
repOse IN state.
There was a pause then until the
ring OF command out on the plaza.
the furry Of drawn steel as the sac
hers Of the cavalry leaped OUT again
ers again drew UP in ll1e facing the
10 present" announcing The presi.
dent ard Mrs. Harding had arrived
The last rites OF the day were 90
hand
As the president and Mrs Hard
ing came into the dim chamber
brilliant lights leaped up 90 make
possible a picturing of the scene for
all America 10 see The cameras
clicked. There was no other sound
About the bier the guard stood with
rifle butts grounded
Mrs. Harding stepped forward.
wide white ribbon iu her hand. She
lad stitched il he's self and stepping
upon the base of the catafalQue she
laid IL across the casket. a slash OF
white across the rain-sodden naE
with its withered cluster of French
flowers. As Mrs. Harding stepped
down. the president took her place
and the ribbon pinned "a silver
shield OF the United State. set with
forty-eight golden stars Ii is sym.
bolic OF the heart OF the nation thai