The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-11
WALKED BY BIER
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the ever beautiful strains of Nearer
Ny God to Thee with measured and
steady step-for the burden they bore
was sliEht-the body bearers, thanked
on each side by the generals and ad-
mirals, moved down the high steps of
the capitol to the simple caisson that
waited below. The ranks of waiting
soldiers snapped into salute and as the
casket was placed on the caisson, the
sun, which had been struggling up
thru the clouds. suddenly broke forth.
flooding the wide space of the plaza
with its radiant waves.
The silence which had settled over
the plaza as the strains of the hymn
floated away was then shattered by
the bark of military commanders and
the cadenced tramp of troops moving
into position.
Gathered at O'Clock.
The procession began moving into
position soon after O'Clock. At its
head was Brigadier General Bandholtz,
commanding general of the District of
COLUMBIA, and his staff
Immediately behind the staff came
a drum corps. beating the measure
cadence of the march, the army band
from Washington barracks and then
fantry, blue Jackets, marines and ma
iOnal guard.
At SIS o'clock President Harding
left the White House and motOred
toward the capitol to take his place
in the funeral procession. He arrived
there at S:27 o'clock.
Meanwhile the senate met and adj
journed, going to the rotunda to fall
into line.
AS soldiers removed the flowers from
about the bier, members of the house
and the supreme court also moved
Il, .F,..o lfr7e,
AS the house delegation marched out
and took up its position behind the
senate Representative Alice Robert
son, of Oklahoma, the only woman in
congress. took her place up near the
front dressed in the uniform of an
American Red Cross nurse. A soldier
was detailed to march with her. The
procession moved out of the capitol
grounds at 1872 o'clock.
President Harding, who had stood
ahead of the line talking with Chief
Justice Taft and others, stepped for
ward and took his place by General
Pershing as a ruffle of drums gave
the signal for the line to move
Avenue Was Packed.
Under an autumn haze, gilded with
shafts of light that broke down every
where, the cortege swung into Pennsyl-
vania avenue, the nations way of vic
y
avenue was banked solidly with people
crowded closely for a glimpse of the
cortege, of the president, who walked
behind the casket, and of all the IA
nous men who trudged in the column
to pay honor to the dead.
1t seemed more like the celebration
of great victory than a funeral. Every
where flags waved. They fluttered in
clusters and snapped and glittered in
the suns changing beams. They were
arranged to comm emorate the opening
of the arms of the conference Satur-
day. But the gay bunting paid its
first tribute to the passing of the I'M
known hero.
As the procession started, Major
General BandhoItz, riding at the fore.
the CLEAN of bright metal showed on
the breasts of the khaki-clad legion
trooping behind him. BY a general
order every officer and man of the
army and navy who took part wore
today his medals and decorations con-
ferred by a grateful people. There
were no foreign decorations to be