The Bismarck tribune., 1922-06-26
More Than Two Thousand IS:
People Pass Silently Before
Body as it Lay in State
MANY FROM OUT OF { CITY

Public Funeral Is Held in
State Capitol Building Here
Sunday Afternoon
Pioneers Of NORTH Dakota and sons
and daughters of sturdy men who
braved the hardships of new conn-
try with Alexander Mckenzie gath
cred in great numbers Sunday after
noon to pay respect to his memory
Utmost solemnity marked the funeral
rites for man who began life as
an adventurous youth in the great
west and rose to leadership in poll
ties and business. The large house
Of representatives chamber in the
state capitol was filed with people.
Many citizens Of Bismarck Joined in
the tribute, mindful Of the great in
fuence Of Alexander Mckenzie in the
removal Of the territorial capital to
Bismarck, his faith in his community
and his efforts to spread the fame of
the great plains state over the entire
country. #
The body Of Mr.. Mckenzie, who
died in St. Paul Thursday, arrived in
Bismarck at 1850 o'clock Sunday
morning. Accompanying 1t were his
daughters, Mrs. Ann Mcdonald Of
Quebec and Mrs. G. b. Foster Of Mon
treal, and Mr.. Foster, Col. C. B. Lit
tie and Capt. ]. p Baker, old-time
friends, came from st. Paul on the
funeral train. NJ n. "
AS the train rolled into the sta
tion here a large crowd gathered
Escorted by uniformed men Of Com
pany "A, National Guard, the fun
eral cortege passed slowly from the
station to the state capitol. Flags On
buildings were at half as the
cortege passed through the streets.
Incoming trains and automobiles
brought great numbers Of people in
western North Dakota and some from
other parts Of the state to the city.
Long Line Passes.
AS the body lay in massive wal
nut coffin before the rostrum of the
house Of representatives a silent line
of men, women and children passed
to-view the face Of the deceased. Four
uniformed men stood as guards at
the coffin, while others scattered
about the house chamber directed the
lines of people with a wave of the
hand. It was estimated that fully
1000 people passed by the coffin dur
ing the period and there were more
than 1000 people crowded into the
house chamber and gallery during
the services. The funeral probably
was the largest public funeral trib.
ute ever paid in the state.
Beside the glass-covered casket
passed with barred heads many whose
{ gray hair and bronzed faces testified
to their right to be called pioneers
Of the state. Here and there was a
wizened face of one wearing, shabbs
clothes, there perhaps to repay by
silent prayer an act Of generosity in
time Of adversity. Others, younger,
! passed who perhaps only were Curl
GUS to gaze upon the face Of one OF
whom they heard their fathers and
mothers, speak with ave. Former po-
litical associates and political foes
alike were there. Great bands OF
beautiful floral offerings surmounted
the casket, many Of them from friends ?
outside the state, some little boquets
from poor person who knew the
breadth Of Mr.. McKenzie's great
heart. @
Offers Silent Prayer.
Heads bowed as Tom> Welch, a pio-
neer Of Dakota and staunch friend
Of the deceased, who first came to
this country in 1862 with General
Sully and Senator Powers OF Mon
tana in the Iowa cavalry, approached
the casket. He gazed for moment
ON the face, then knelt and offered q
silent prayer, made the sign OF the
cross and walked away with tears
trickling down his cheeks.
Those old friends who looked upon
the face of Mr.. Mckenzie saw face
full and natural, not drawn by pain
of disease. Friends who came from
ST. Paul said that Mr.. Mckenzie
passed away peacefully as ne slept'
that he felt no pain in the final hour
life ebbed out Of his giant frame as
he had slipped into a state OF uncon-
sciousness.
Father Hiltncr Speaks.
Father NJ. J. Hiltner, pastor OF 81.
/. Mary,s pro-cathedral, officiated. AZ
the opening Of the service quartettc
composed Of Mrs. R. A. Tracy, mrs.
4. G. Scothorn, Henry Halverson and
Row Indseth sang "Crossing the Bar.
Mrs Arthur Bauer was at the piano
eve are. gathered here to pay our
resnects to the memory Of one OF our
beloved citizens" said Father HIT
ner. opening his brief funeral sermon
eve have lost great man."
The many recipients Of his good
will and kindness and those OF pio-
neer days gathered at the funeral tes-
tilted sto what we all owe him. Faith
er Hiltner said. An act OF God, ne
said, brought the assemblage at the
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