The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-11-10

rurda. The two secretaries. barehsadso,
fol'nwed. and behind them the ohtcS1S
und others.
Their" were few in the great hall. The
only lights were those high among the
pillars above the sculptured walls, ana
the Last fading CLEANS Of day through
thc high windows. The waiting guard
which would stand through the long
night about the bier. stood at present
arms az the Casket was carried In anu
50; IN place on the high. black-drapen
$'r':,';ur" IN which the body Of Mckin-
icy last to re""se In state.
Mrs. Harding's Tribute
Th,r" W. ii PAUSE then, unit! mo
ring e 81 ."Inmand out on the plaza
ih.. furry Of drawn steel as the sabers
az the cavalry lea ped out again to pre-
>"n'. announcing that PRESIDENT ana
Mrs. Harding had arrived The last
rites IT he day were q; hand.
A. ;h" president and Mrs Harding
came into the dim chamber brilliant
l;ghi| !"ap"d up to make possible
p!ctur!ns. OF the scene for all America
Ia see. Tine cameras clicked. There
was no other sound. About the bier
the guard stood with rifle butts
grounded
Mrs. Harding stepped forward.
wid" white ribbon in her hand. She
had stitched it herself. and. stepping
up on the base Of the catafalque. she
laid It across the ca sket. n splash Of
whit" across the rain-s"dden 1ag. with
It's wiihcred cluster "f French flowers.
As Mrs. Harding stepped down. the
PRESIDENT took her pace and To the
ribbon pinned silver shield az the
uii,.h States. set with IS golden stars.
II Is symbolic Of the heart Of the nation
,nat goes with this soldier TO his tomb.
Roses Prom the President
TEEN great wreath Of crimson roses
WAS BANDED L. Mr.. Harding. and he laid
il softly on the ca Tket near the head.
and gave place 10 Vice President
Ituo.idg. and Speaker Gil!ct;. who moved
forward together to lay the tribute Of
congress. a wreath OF pink roses and
snap-dragons. in place. Chief Justice
Taft moved forward from the opposite
side bearing the floral tribute Of the
supreme court. wreath or chrysanthe-
NUNS and carnations.
Secretary Weeks laid the army's token
of remembrance. Il wreath OF white
roses. aga!ns; the casket at the head.
and Secretary DENLY placed the navy's
offering. chrySanth"mums and roses. set
on an caSle. AT tn" foot of the bier.
Over and 70 one side. against the wall.
blossoms that were warmed 10 life by
the warm sun Of France. 10 be carried
all the long way on the Olympia
General Psrshing At Salute
Then General PerShing stepped for
ward to place his own tribute and that
Of the American ExpedItionary Force ON
this Unknown gallant comrades coffin.
II was 4 wreath Of giant pink chrySan-
ih"mmms. and. as ne placed 1t. the
officer paused moment then stepped
back q pace or two and drawing his
tignr" t. its ful. height. lifted his hand
/" cap hrim in rigid salute to the dead.
II" only Specta tors OF these simple
rites were the few clustered in the
d"urwaTS uf the great chamber The
hr:gh; lights hlaGed for few moments.
as the president and Mrs. Harding went
out 20 receive again formal honors from
/ the troops waiting mellow.
/ Then the Unknown was left alone
Wit: his motion!ess guard OF honor
that was changed at frequent intervals
through IN" night: alone with his head
% Stward toward distant Fra nee. and AT
h!~ feet through q window and the
end OF n rillareh CORR or. the twinkling
l.ghtS of Washington. On either side
, If the doorway through which he nigh:
hav" Gazcd stands the statues Of
Lincoln and Grant. as though tNc' also
kort vigil. And as lights were switched
of ANA the great building was wrapped
IN The gloom Of night. the dim twilight
i"f III" few scattered hidden rlnctrics
,et -" shadows fal! over the bier and
H. -" vast cavern Of the dome above
wt;i e mystery and a peace that will
not Ne broken Until daylight streams
again through those high windows.