The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-05
PENROSE FUNERAL
IS HELD TODAY
Even Newspapermen Elk
cluded From Cemetery
During Interment
iBy As,oeIat.d ?resal

my AHanEiAkfQ YFGAal
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. s.
The funeral Of. Senator -Boies Pen
rose was heldT.this morning. The
same great secrecy that shrround-
ed the making OF arrangements
for the funeral was maintained
until tho body OF the political
leader was lowered into the brick
lined grave in South Laurel Hill
cemetery. No information was
Forthcoming whether there were
any religious services at the
house or at the cemetery. News
paper reporters were not admit
ted to the burial ground. The
fact that the body Of the senator
would be buried today became
known late yesterday when the
bureau Of vital statistics issued a
permit for interment for Janu-
iary fifth or thereafter. The i'm
mediate family OF Senator PEN
rose, who was a bachelor, con-
sists OF three brothers. No in
formation was given out regard
ing the funeral beyond the brief
obituary notice that the funeral
would be Strictly private"
Newspapers that regarded the
burial Of u United States senator
who had figured so largely in the
political history Of the country as
an important piece OF news, set a
watch on principally the same
plan as are set on prominent per-
sons who are believed to be dying.
A report that Senator Penrose's
father was buried years ago at
midnight In order to avoid undue
publicity. made the vigil OF re-
porters almost an all-night affair.
About 1880 a. m. today the
three brothers, Charles B., Rich
ard and Spencer arrived at the
Spruce street home where the SEN
ator's body lay. Four automo-
biles were parked a short dis
tance from the house. Later
Charles Penrose came out on the
front step and waved his arm and
seemingly from nowhere a hearse
appeared.
A few minutes later, the sena-
tors body was brought out by an
undertaken and the hearse fol-
lowed by the four automobiles sup
posedly containing the families Of
the three brothers started for the
cemetery. Reporters who were
on watch at the cemetery yester-
day were not admitted today and
the newspapermen who followed
the funeral party through a
steady rain, were warned that II
they entered the cemetery, 1t
would be ut their own peril.
Guards were stationed all around
the place. The funeral party was
in the cemetery about 15 minutes
and left before nine a. m.
Thus was enacted the final
scene In the career of a man who
could have had one Of the largest
and most impressive funerals in
the history Of the city. Political
leaders from every county In the
state came to Philadelphia within
the last few days to do honor to
the dead chieftain and not one
was invited to the home Of the
senator where many political con-
ferences have been held.
Questions had been asked why
the family desired secrecy In the
burial OF the senator and the an
swer Of close political friends was
that Penrose hated pomp and
ceremoy: and that It probably
was his wish that no be buried as
simply and with as little commo-
ton as possible. It is said TO have
been a tradition In the Penrose
family which Is one OF the Oldest
In the city, that all funerals of
members be BtrictlyJprtHRte,