Evening star., 1923-08-08
Reuerent 1hrongs in Tribute
To Harding on Arriual Of Body
Plaza of Union Station Jan1med and
Route to White House Lined With
MOurners--WidO,U Is Brave.

With a silence unlike anything of
it's kind ever before experienced in
this city the populace Of the nations
cspital-probably more than 100000
persons-gave expression of their
grief last night as the Army caisson,
bearing the body of their late Presi-
dent, passed slowly from Union sta
tion to the White House.
The funeral train. which made the
long, sad journey from San Fran
cisco arrived at 1923 o'clock. but it
was more than twenty minutes after
ward when the military escort of a
squadron of cavalry and battery of
artillery and the little caravan OF
mourners headed by President Cool
idge started on its way.
Mrs. Harding Is Brave.
Some few minutes before the cais-
son was taken from the train Mrs
Harding with her arm on that or
George e. Christian. her husband s
secretary and personal friend of more
than thirty years. walked bravely but
slowly from the platform. through the
great concourse and the Presidents s
room and then TO waiting automo-
bill to take her TO the White House.
As she. who. by her display of brav-
cry ana courage since ltT ueEtdNc G
ment has endeared herself to every
American. appeared on the platform,
the United States Marine Band un-
der the leadership Of Capt. Santel-
mann. played Nearer, My God to
Thee"
Mrs Harding was wonderful. At
least that was the whispered utter
ance of more than one person who
stood reverently along the line she
passed. She was attired in black,
hut the short veil she wore was
thrown back. Her sweet. kindly face
was pitiful in it's sadness but there
was no evidence of tears Nor was
there any sign that she was sup
Pressing sob.
Col. Sheriff. Leads Way.
Before Mrs. Harding and the mem
bers of her party walked Col. =. -
Sheriff.. chief military aide'oi the
White House. who was an intimate
| friend of the late President. Near
| her right side walked Brig. Gen.
| Charles r.. Sawyer. who has been the
Harding family physician for many
Years. and who was the chief attend :
ing physician during the snort latdl
/ Illness OF the Executive.
Others in this sad little group who
| had made the journey across the
continent on the death train were
| Commander Adolphus Andrews. com
nHnder of the presidential yacht
Mayfower and naval aide to the Presi !.
| dent: Commander J. T. Boone, medical
officer of the Mayfiower and OF the
| staff of physicians who attended the
| 1at. President: Mai Ora NJ. Ballinger
OF the White House aides. who was
| a friend of Mr.. Harding since he was
a little boy in Marion; Harry Barker
1 of the secret service, who has been
| assigned to Mrs. Harding since the
| dav of her arrival in Washington to
i attend her husbands inauguration,
| and Miss Powderly, trained nurse.
| who attended Mrs. Harding during
| her long illness and who attended
f; Mr.. Harding in the sickroom In San
/ Francisco.
The playing of Nearer, My God. to
| Thee" by the Marine Band did not
| md with the passing through the
| station of Mrs. Harding, but it con-
| tinued until the body of the President
| had gone slowly through and was
placed upon the caisson.
Eight uniformed soldiers. sailors
and marines. designated officially as
the body bearers. carried the casket.