The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-08-24
DUBLIN PAYS
DEEP TRIBUTE
TO SLAIN HERO
Draped in Tri.color of Ireland,
Coffin Is Carried Through
City's Streets
PLANNED COMPROMISES
Michael Collins Had in Mind
Many Constitutional Changes
to Placate Enemy

Dublin, Aug. 24.-Draped in the be-
loved tri-color of Ireland, the coffin
containing the body of Michael Col
Inns, slain chief of Ireland's new Free
State government, was landed here
today from the Steamer Classic and
borne through the streets amid an
impressive tribune from the assem-.
bled multitude.
General Collins body was met at
the dock by large throngs of mourn
ers, including Richard Mulcahy, chief
of staff and other prominent repre-
sentatives of the army. The body
was taken on a gun carriage, preceded
by a band of pipers to St. Vincent's
hospital
Prayers were said as the process
sion passed in silence, broken only
by the distant crack of snipers rifles
in various parts Of the grief stricken
city. The cortege was fanked by
line of Dublin guards marching in
slow time with the muzzles of ,heit
revolvers protruding from their hol-
sters.
Impressive Scene.
A detachment of civic guards fol-
lowed. They were the only armed
uniformed men in the procession. In.,.
mediately behind came an armored
car bristling with rifles held at all
angles, comprising an incongruous
ending to the mournful procession.
Several men who were wounded in
the fighting near Pandon, county
Cork, Tuesday night, when Collins
lost his life, accompanied their be-
loved leaders body on the sea voy-
age to Dublin.
From midnight last night crowds
had been gathering at the north quay
to witness the arrival of the Classic,
which docked at 2 o'clock this morn
ing. Scenes typical of the nations
sorrow marked the progress of the
coffin from the steamer through tn.
long avenue of troops with reversed
arms to the waiting gun carriage.
Free State C0l0rs
Regular officers draped the plain
oak casket in the Free State colors
and placed it on the wooden plat
form built on the 18 FOUNDER gun
cartilage. The dead generals charg-
err was led riderless alongside.
The members Of the provisional
government and deputies Of the Dali
together with the members Of the
headquarters staff, Immediately fol-
lowed. Then came the throngs Of
bare headed men and women, many
of them making no effort to restrain
their tears. -
Among the little band Of fighting
men who made the last stand with
Collins and who followed the body
Of the slain hero through the Dub
lin streets with lowered heads and
tear blinded eyes, was boyish fig
ure wearing a ragged civilian coat
and tweed cap. Across his should
ers he carried machine gun, the
same gun with which he said after
wards he poured a hail Of lead into
Collins attackers.
After the procession was dismiss
ed he told an interviewer, in q shy
and diffident manner and in. avoice
often choked by emotion, vivid
story of the fatal ambush.
First to Meet Fire
"The car in which Collins was rid
ing" he said "was the first to meet
the ambusher's fire. There were at
least $50 of them against IL of US.
It was about 9 o'clock when we
passed through the village. We had
not gone over 400 yards along the
road when from both sides we were
caught by deadly cross fire Of ma
chine guns"
Directed Fire
"The driver of Collins car wanted
to drive at full speed but the gem
eral ordered him to halt and told us
to take cover. He took command of
the whole situation and directed the
fire against the attackers for nearly
an hour. Two machine guns kept
up an incessant firing at Mikes open
car but up to then no one had been
hurt and it began to look as though
the Irregulars were going to scatter
in order to risk no more casualties.
Saw Sniper
ut was during a lull in the at
Hackers fire that Mike noticed
sniper creeping on hands and knees
some distance down the road behind
him. Mike Immediately went about
a dozen yards in his direction with
the object Of stopping further move-
ment in the rear Of the party. At
that moment heavy firing swept
across the road from both sides.
The gun in the whippet armored car
which followed, had jammed, lessen
ing the effect on our fire.
"The sudden burst of shooting
caused Mike to turn around for
few seconds and the next moment
sa whim fall to the ground shot
through the head. As he lay dying
he shouted words of encouragement
to his men to 60 on firing and not
mind him.
Immediately there were cries OF
NV God, Mick is shot men rushed
to his assistance. Although bleeding
freely from terrible wound ne
lived fifteen minutes during which
he continued to fire his revolver"
MANY CHANGED PLANNED.
(By the Associated Press.
London, Aug. 25.-At the time of
his death, Michael Collins had under
consideration plans to re-draft sew
o.al sontinns of the constitution of