Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-08
SPECIAL 9 HOURS LATE


Washington, Aug. 7-(By A. P.)-
President Hardings funeral train,
freighted with the sorrow Of the ma
ton, reached Washington at 1922
o'clock tonight.
Although the train was nine hours
late thousands damned the station
concourse waiting for hours packed
against the iron fence that shuts off
the train platform, to be first to give
their silent tribute to the dead chief
tain.
The train backed into the station so
that the funeral car with its flag
draped casket rolled in first, to stop
where the little group headed by
President Coolidge waited.
The lights in the funeral car cast
a brilliant glow in the big train shed.
Secretary Christian and DIR. Sawyer
were on the back platform. There
was no noise in the station but the
throbbing Of the air pump on a dis
tant engine.
Mrs. Harding stepped off the car
leaning on Secretary Christians arm
and with DR.. Sawyer on her other
side. The band in the concourse be-
gan playing Nearer, My God. to
Thee"
Mrs. Harding walked slowly along
the station platform. While her hand
was on Secretary Christians arm she
apparently needed no support.
The military guard of honor that
. had stood about the casket all the
| way from San Francisco also alight-
ed.
Members Of the party who came all
the way said Mrs. Harding had stood
the trip well.
/ As the solemn strains of the COM
forting old hymn filled the station, the
casket was tenderly lifted down the
special door in the side of the car. 1t
was placed on a rolling platform.
A single wreath that had been
waiting at the station was laid on the
great flag spread over the casket.
The military guard resumed its place
about the oasket The uniformed men
raised their burden and began moving
slowly toward the double rank of non
| commissioned officers who formed
Gordon to the presidents room.
Meantime Mrs. Harding had entered
an automobile and had been whisked
away through a side street to the
White House. Her appearance and the
reports of those who had made the trip
with her from San Francisco set at
rest widespread rumors that she had
suffered a physical collapse. 1t was
said she had borne up bravely from the
first and had shown no signs of break
ing under the strain.
Secretaries Hoover. Wallace and
| Work. Attorney General Daugherty
a1lod SLOWLY
behind the casket as it was carried
down the living corridor.
Speaker Gillette also walked with the
party that alightcd from the funeral
train. The double rank of soldiers
forming the aisle came to present arms
as the casket was carried by. their
bayonets flashing in the bright light.
The slow. majcstice strains of the old
hymn filled the big building with soft
music as the caskct was carried
through to the presidents room.
Mrs. Harding reached the White
House at 1915 p. NJ. just as her hus-
bands body was being taken into the
| presidents room at the station. She
walked into the house unaided.
Inside the executive mansion which
| she had left six weeks ago as the first
| lady of the land. the widow was greet
~
| the family.
A plan to have Mrs. Coolidge and the
| ladies' of the cabinet present to meet
her was cancelled at her own request.
AS Mrs. Harding stepped into the
| White House. a shooting star dropped
out of the heAEens, shedding brief
but mellow light upon the scene. A
I crowd of a few score who had been ad-
mittcd to the grounds stood at con-
siderable distance until Mrs. Harding
J had disappeared beyond the portals.
I President Coolidge gave his formal
greetings to his dead chief as the cas-
ket reached the head of the aisle of
soldiers. before the presidents room.
He stood. hat in hand as it passed.
, then turned to follow slowly with bent
mead. NIL
The fag-draped burden that carried
with it the sorrowing heart of ma
tion was borne through the long room
to the plaza beyond and lifted to the
black-draped gun caisson. 1t was
strapped in place as the troopers Of
the escort sat with sabres raised high
in present arms. A moment later at a
low command the troops turned slowly
away to lead the march to the White
House.
Six bay horses. with two khaki-clad
outriders. drew the caisson The es-
cort moved off across the plaza in pla-
toon front, then halted while the motor
cars took on their passengers Presi-
dent Coolidge and Speaker Gillette
were in the first car.