Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-08-16
LAST TRIBUTE IS
PAID TO HARD|NG
Simple Funeral Services Held in
Marion, His Home City.
PRESIDENT COOLIDGE THERE
All the Nation Mourns Its Dead
Chief-Remains First Lie In State
in Rotunda of Capitol in
Washington After lmpos-
ing Procession.

| Marion, O.-While all the nation
stood silent and sorrowing, the mortal
remains of Warren G. Harding, It's
dead President, were consigned to the
tomb Friday in this, his home city.
No imposing ceremony, no military
| display, no marching of organizations
marked the mournful event, because
Mrs. Harding wished 1t so. but as the
simple services We're being held in the
cemetery, in every city, every town
and village, every home of the broad
land the people of America were pay
ing tribute to the memory Of their
chief whose life truly was sacrificed
In their behalf. Barter and trade.
financial business and every other
worldly activity that could be sus-
pended ceased for the time, all sports
and pastimes were abandoned-the
nation mourned.
/ Great Throngs In Marion.
Here in Marion were gathered a
host of prominent persons, from Pres
ident Coolidge down and including the
leading government officials, senasc-S
and representatives, governors of the
states and delegations from hundreds
Of cities and organizations. All day
Thursday and ON Friday morning
special trains brought in the throngs,
and other thousands of Ohioans came
by automobile. so great were the
| crowds that 1t was necessary for the
state officials to arrange to have the
roads for miles around Marion pa
trolled to prevent accidents.
Thursday morning the funeral train
arrived from Washington, and Mr..
Harding's body was taken at once TO
the residence of his father, DR.. George
4. Harding. From , until 10 p. M.
that day and from 8 a. m. until D. m.
Friday opportunity was given Ohioans
to view the face Of their dead friend.
Then, quite without pomp, the casket
was borne to the cemetery. Follow
Ing the hearse We're the members of
the Harding family next the Pres-
dent of the United States withs mem
bers of the cabinet and other high
1 officials; then came Mr. Harding's
close friends and neighbors, and after
them a great concourse of mourners.
Simple Services in Cemetery.
1t was Mrs. Harding's wish that all
who wished should have place in
the funeral procession. Among those
who sadly accepted the invitation
were all the employees of the Marion
Star who had worked for Mr.. Hard
ing for years, and the Ohio newspaper
| publishers, members of the Associated
Ohio Dailies, In which organization
Mr.. Harding had taken an active part
Reaching the cemetery about three
o'clock, the cortege proceeded to the
| receiving vault, and there the brief
services were held. Prayers, readings
from the Scriptures and the singing
of Mr.. Harding's favorite hymns
that was all. 1t was simple and dig
nified, as was BETTING the obsequies
of distinguished citizen of Marion
The services were in charge Of Rev.
George M. Lands, pastor Of Trinity
Baptist church, of which Mr. Harding
was member He was assisted by
Rev. Jesse Swank, pastor Of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, Mrs. Hardings
pastor.
/ Troops Guard the casket.
\ Instead of being inferred in the
family plot, the body Of Mr. Harding
was placed In the receiving vault, and
! there it will remain until mauso-
leum has been erected to receive it.
AS the weeping family and friends
moved away from the vault, National
Guard soldiers stepped forward and
took their place on guard In few
/ days they will be replaced by the
/ guard from the regular army, that will
stand around the vault for the regu-
| lation period Of six months. The de-
| tail for this purpose will consist Of
| an officer and twenty-five men from
| Fort Hayes at Columbus.
The Presidential party from Wash
| ington, which came on a special train
Friday morning, started back for the
national capital almost Immediately
after the conclusion of the ceremonies.
Mrs. Harding, who had borne so
| well her difficult part. also returned to
Washington, on the same train that
brought her and her dead. 1t was an
nounced that she would remain in the
White House until she has finished
the supervision and removal of the
effects of the late President This
probably will take about three weeks.
Services at Capital.
Washington.-Th capital of the
United States Of America Wednesday
paid official tribute to the body. of