Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-09
AMERICAS UNKNOWN
DEAD NEARS SHORE
FINAL RESTING PLACE

Washington, Nov. S.-America's
unknown dead from France was in
home waters tonight, riding in high
est state aboard the old cruiser
Olympia over the waters of Chesa-
peake Fay. Tomorrow, to the crash
of guns from saluting forts and ma
val posts, the treasured casket in
tribute to which the nation centers
its sorrowful pride in those other
sons sleeping in France, will move in
honored progress up the historic Po-
tomac. And in preparation for its
arrival in the nations capital late
tomorrow events were shaping them
selves toward a climax of honors on
Armistice Day.
AS the Olympia steams at measur-
ed speed up the river the guns of
Fort Washington will roar the ma
tional salute of twenty-one guns TO
her half masted flag. Off Mount
Vernon the ship Of the Unknown
Hero will pay it's homage to the tomb
of the :greatest American. Washing
ton. Again at Washington Bar
racks, = battery will hammer out it's
twent gun message Of highest mil
itary nbnor to be repeated again at
Washington Navy Yard as the old
ship pulls in to dock at the end of her
journey. Even as she turns into the
Potomac early tomorrow, the Olym-
pia will receive the first highest ma
val honors for the Unknown Soldier
she carries to his last rest. The bat
tleship North Dakota lies a distance
up the river with guns and flags
waiting to pay tribute. And ahead
of the cruiser will steam the destroy
or Burnadu az sort OF honor to the
dead.
At. the Navy Yard the navy viii
surrender custody of the casket that
ma rks Is perhaps no other in the ma
tiorks history the glory of him who
dies Tor the flag to the army comrades
of the dead men. He will be given
back to the keeping Of the khaki-clad
men with whom he stood shoulder to
shoulder in France. His hero guard
of honor alone will lay hand upon
his coffin thereafter.
The transfer will be in full cere-
mtny. AS the casket leaves the ship
the guns of the Olympia will boom
cut the 81 guns salute. The ships
band will play dirge as it is car
ried down the gangway with soldires
and sailors at present arms and Off
GERS at salute.
Received by the army the casket
will be placed by the selected nom
commissioned officers of army and
navy and marine corps in a motor
hearse and a squadron of cavalry
and mounted band will lead the way
toward the capitol, where the cata-
faluue v-aits under the vast dome
the cata falque on which Lincoln. Gar
field and Mckinley lay
a guard Of honor will wait at the
great flight of steps leading up to
the resting place and the men in kha-
XII will keep constant vigil about the
bier hereafter. until it is carried out
Armistice Day to its niche on the
terrace Of the memorial amphithea-
tire at Arlington cemetery, across the
river.
Late in the day and before the pub
lie may pass through the great ro-
tunda to pay it's respects to the hum
BILE soldier who lies in such high
state as an emperor might envy,
President Harding will go in person
to lay a wreath upon the casket. 1t
is the tribute of the head of the ma
ton to him who has given his all for
his country.
Vice President Coolidge also will
place a floral tribute on the flag
draped coffin and Sen Cummins,
president pro-tempore Of the Senate,
and Speaker Gillette of the House,
will pointly place there the wreath
Congress has voted as it's own spec
ial mark Of pride and sorrow
Through the night that follows and
until the booming Of minute guns
wakes the echoes on Armistice day to
beat out. throb by throb. the pass
ing of this honored soldier to his last
rest four armed sentries will stand
at the corners of the bier. Each
branch of the army and navy will
furnish men for this inner guard
which will stand always at attention
through the long hours. Before them
will pass on Thursday a throng Of
Americans, paving homage. Not a
minute of that day from morning I'M
til night. but has been claimed by
some person or some society to lay
wreath on the casket. among them
the British ambassador to testify to
Britain's sympathy. There will be
mountains Of brightest flowers about
the great hall before night comes
and all that survive will go to Ar
lington to wither at last on the stone
above the quiet nook in which the
Unknown will come at last to rest