The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-10
Representative of Nations Dead
Lies Beneath Capitol Dome.
THOUSANDS IN SILENT PRAYER
Veterans of Two Wars Honor
Their Unknown COmrade.
Casket Decorated With Order
of Foreign Wars Veterans.

Washington. Nov. 10.-Moving rev.
erently thru the shadowed rotunda of
the national capitol, gray haired
mothers and high officials of the gov
ernment, battled SCARED veterans and
ENJOYS of world powers paid homage
and tribute today at the bier of Amer
ica's nameless hero.
Beneath mountain of laurel and
roses, he slept the sleep from which
none may awake, reposing upon the
catafalque which has born Lincoln,
Garfield and Mckinley until he shall
be buried at Arlington as a symbol
of the love- and gratitude of a mighty
nation for her honored dead.
Only the wreath placed there by
the president of the United States
rested on the simple oaken casket
this morning. At 8 o'clock, the
solemn procession began.
Thousands in Silent Prayer.
Thousands who were not allowed
to pause at the catafalque filed thru
the rotunda offering silent prayer.
The tears of the nations profound
sorrow glistened unashamed in many
eyes as citizens of high and low estate
mingled in the endless human stream.
The unknown will lie in state until
10 o'clock tonight, guarded by a de-
tachment of armed engineers. After
10 o'clock none will be admitted until
the morning of November IL, when
the Armistice day ceremonies begin.
The first delegation to arrive at the
capitol today represented the federal
council of churches. It comprised a
number of leading ministers, who,
after a few minutes at the casket, gave
way to members of the American
Ambulance association. Wreaths were
then deposited by officials of the Ro-
tary clubs, and behind the Rotarians
came members of the National Wo-
mems Overseas Service league--them-
selves veterans of gruelling days on
dusty roads and in muddy trenches.
War Veterans in Procession.
The United Spanish War Veterans,
men who served with Roosevelt and
Dewey, marched by, their heads
bowed. They were followed by officers
and men who served with Pershing-
members Of the Forty-second, Twenty
eighth and Eighty=second divisions of
the American expeditionary forces.
At 10 o'clock Vice President Cool
idge entered the rotunda to take part
in the first formal ceremonies of the
day. They were conducted by Veter-
ans of Foreign Wars, composed en-
tirely of men who saw service outside
the United States.
The veterans were called to atten-
tion by their national commander,
Col. Robert G. Woodside, OF Pitts
burgh, who pinned upon the cushion
of the casket a gold medal and the
insignia of the order and conferred
upon the unknown the rank of hon
orary aide de camp.
my comrade," Colonel Woodside
said, 1--WE feel as tho you are the COM
rade who fell fighting at our side,
as we stood in the trenches or as we
were advancing across No Mans
Land. In those days there was little
thought of self. Our one thought wa
that thru US, America might lead the
world in spreading democracy among
the nations of the earth.
Here at your shrine, your com
rades renew their obligations of true
allegiance to the United States of
America and may we ever be loyal
thereto. We dedicate our lives to the
service of our country in peace as we
did in war"
Many Organizations Pay Tribute.
After the veterans of foreign wars
had retired, wreaths were laid upon
the catafalque by relatives of the
Thirty seventh division. the veterans
of Indian wars, the Peruvian embassy,
the Daughters of Veterans, the Portu-
guese legation and the Boy Scouts of
America
Sir Auckland Geddes. the British
staff to pay Great Britain's tribute.
He was followed by the national
officers of the American Red Cross
and former members of the Sixth divi1
sion who arrived shortly after. noon.
In rapid succession, pausing only
to lay flowers upon the casket and
to murmur a brief prayer. there passed
the women of the Army and Navy
Legion of Valor, officers of the Young
Mems Christian association, men of
the Second and Fifth divisions, A. E.
F.. women of the Sons of Veterans
Auxiliary, the United States Daughters
of 1912. the Young Womens Christian
association and the Wdmen's Overseas
league.