The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-08-10
HARDING RITES TO
B SOLEMN,S SIMPLE
GTATE FUNERAL FOR LATE
CHIEF IN CAPITAL ON
WEDNESDAY.

Washington.-The national capital
its sorrow and mourning, symbolic OF
that of the nation, went forward with
preparations to receive and pay a last
tribute to the dead president.
A state funeral, to be marked by a
SOLEMN dignity and simplicity, was ar
ranged for by President Coolidge and
other high officers of the government,
who devoted themselves untiringly to
the preparations OF eeremonials that
will fittingly express the grief and
reverence of the American people.
President Coolidge, Chief Justice
Taft, and members OF the cabinet will
participate in the ceremonies. At the
suggestion Of Mr.. Coolidge, Woodrow
Wilson was invited to take part, but
after a conference between Lieut.. Col.
Sheriff., aide to the chief executive,
and Rear Admiral Grayson. Mr..
Wilson's physician, ii vas announced
because OF his health the former
president regretted he would be IN
able to participate.
Upon it's arrival here from San
Francisco, Tuesday, the funeral train
will be met by Mr.. Coolidge and other
ranking officials, who will accompany
the body to the White House behind
the escort OF a squadron Of cavalry
and a battalion Of field artillery. IL
then will lie In the east room until
Wednesday. Whether there will be
private services at the White House
will depend upon the wishes of Mrs.
Harding.
Wednesday morning, the body will
be escorted TO the capitol and placed
in the rotunda. After funeral services
there 1t will lie in state until 6 p. m.
and an hour later will start on the last
Journey to Marion, where on Friday
It will find a resting place in the soil
of the state.
AS the flag-draped casket, move
from the White House over Pennsyl-
vania avenue, it will be escorted by
several thousand troops under Gen.
John ]. Pershing and behind the auto
mobiles carrying Mrs. Harding and
members OF the family Will be Presi-
dent Coolidge, members of his cabinet,
members Of the supreme court and
senators and representatives. In line
also will be representatives groups Of
patriotic organizations headed by
their respective commanders with
colors and uniform, as well as many
civic and commercial organizations.
The Masonic orders of which Mr..
Harding was q member will be repre-
scented by $50 knight Templars and
representatives Of the grand lodge,
and there also will be small groups
from other fraternal organizations.
AS the funeral cortege moves from
the White House 10000 Washington
school children will lay down a carpet
OF flowers for the caisson bearing the
casket, and a children's chorus, re-
cruited from the city's Fairgrounds
will sing the favorite hymns OF Mr..
Harding. Pennsylvania avenue will be
roped off from the White House to the
capitol and cleared of all traffic.
After the simple services in the
rotunda have been concluded the pub
lie will be admitted for a last view Of
the dead. They will march in from
the east entrance four abreast, but
reaching the bier, the line will separ-
ate, passing two abreast to either side.
There will be a guard Of honor at the
casket and the lines will be kept in
continuous motion.
The funeral train will reach Marion
Thursday morning and there 1t again
will be met by a military escort. Final
arrangements for the ceremonial
there have not yet been completed,
but It has been announced that there
will be a brief burial service.
President Coolidge halted in the
preparations for the funeral services
TO sign a proclamation announcing
the death of President Harding and
calling upon the country to observe
Friday, August 10, the day OF inter
ment, as a day Of mourning and
prayer. He also signed executive or
ders for the closing Of all government
departments from the time of the ar
rival of the funeral party from San
Francisco Tuesday until the day Of
burial.