, 1923-08-15
IMPRESSIVE SCENES MARK LAST RITES
AS NATION WITH GRIEF BOWED HEAD
PAYS FINAL TRIBUTE TO A PRESIDENT

were veterans and military ~organiZa-
tons as follows: Medal Of Honor men,
officers of the army, officers of the
navy, officers of the coast guard and
public health service, officers Of the
coast and geological survey and other
departmental officers.
Ten representatives from each Of
the following organizations formed a
large art of the procession G. A. r.,
Loyal Legion, United Confederate Vet
erans. Indian War Veterans, Veterans
of the Spanish-American War, Military
Order of Foreign Wars, vetrans Of
Foreign Wars, Old Guard Of New York,
Military Order of the World War, Dis
abled Veterans of the World War, Am
erican Legion, World Var Veterans,
knights Templar representing all Mas
onic bodies Tin uniformly, knights of
Pythias Gin uniform). American Red
Cross, Sons of the Revolution, D. A. r.,
Order of ~Cincinnatti, Sons of Colonial
Wars, Colonial Danes, Sons of Veter-
ans, Salvation Army, Y. NJ. G. A.,
X. O., Jewish Welfare and many other
semi-military organizations and we'll
fare associations.
Following these was a committee Of
100 representing the divers schools,
cadet, commercial and social organi-
cations of the City of Washington, in
Guiding the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire
Girls.
On the plaza east Of the Capitol
the troops swung into line facing
westward as the casket was carried up
the long steps Of the east entrance.
The foot troops remained in massed
formation until the casket had been
placed upon the catafalque within.
Seats had been provided for 800 in
vited persons in the rotunda. where the
funeral ermOn were delivered by the
Rev. Freeman and Chaplain Montgom-
cry. The services over the great
bronze doors were thrown open and
the public admitted to the rotunda to
pay Its last respects to the dead Presi-
dent. Those entering the Capitol to
view the remains passed up the stairs
four abreast between lines of marines.
Reaching he bier the line separated,
the marchers passing two abreast on
either side of the casket, reforming as
1t was passed and leaving the building
by the west entrance and down the
long elm-shaded c%oncourse to Pennsyl-
vania ven
Reverent Public ThronQs Rotunda
From IL, a. M, until 8, p. M. a con-
slant tide of humanity flowed through
the rotunda. At five o'clock the doors
were closed and the casket was again
placed o the cassion and taken to
Union Station for the final leg of its
journey from the capital to Marion,
Ohio, the dead presidents home, where
burial services were held at 3, p. m,
Friday.
President Coolidge and other offic.
ials accompanied the body to the train
but only Mrs. Harding. immediate rel
atives of the late president. and mem.
bers of the party who made the west.
ern trip accompanied the remains to
the Ohio town. After the casket had
been placed aboard the train the guard
Of honor that accompanied 1t to the
capital again took up its silent, rever-
ent and unremitting vigil.
President Coolidge and other offic-
ials remained in the capital until late
Thursday night, timing. their arrival
in Marion to not reflect any official
Simplicity Marked Marion Service
Simplicity almost approaching I'VE
ity characterized the last rites for the
deceased president In his home town.
Carrying out the expressed desire
of Mrs. Harding, who felt that in the
ceremony ut Washington the public
had buried Its dead and that the serv-
Ices at Marion were for her husband
and helpmeet rather thar n President,
the services were very brief and were
conducted at the receiving vault ut
the Marion cemetery, where the body
Will remain temporarily. The funeral
was In charge of the Rev. George NJ.
lands, pastor of the Trinity Baptist
church, of which Mr.. Harding was a
member, assisted by the Rev. Jess
Swank. pastor of Mrs. H%arding's own
church. the Methodist Episcopal.
There was no Imposing cortege from
the home OF the Presidents father to
the cemetery made resplendant with
bright uniforms and g~llstening sabers;
no trooplng OF horses: no rumble Of
artillary wheels; no marching organi-
Nations. The grnndure of the cortege
was Its simplicity and sadness. Not
even the presidents Own" troop A
Ohio National Guard cavalry. which
acted ms escort Mt the inauguration.
participated other than TO maintain a
hushed quletude. Thousands OF sol.
diers. sailors and marines were pres
ent. but only Ms aides to the civil au-
thorlties and Ms spectators paying
homage TO their dead commander-ln-
chief.
A hearse was used to convey the re-
mains to the fathers home, where they
lay In state from =, y. M. To 10. y. m..
Thursday and from o, n. M, until 2, y.
m. Friday