The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-08-08
BODY OF HARDING
In WHITE HOUSE
SAD TRIP FROM THE GOLDEN
GATE ENDED-MRS. HARDING
BEARS UP WELL

Washington = CA. P.) = President
Harding's funeral train. freighted with
the sorrow of the nation, reached
Washington at 1922 O'Clock Tuesday
night
Although the train was nine hours
late, thousands jammed the station
concourse, waiting for hours packed
against the iron fence that shuts off
the train platform, to be the first to
give their silent tribute to the dead
chieftain.
The train backed into the station
SO that the funeral car with it's flag
draped casket rolled in first, to stop
where the little group headed by
President Coolidge waited.
The lights in the funeral car cast
brilliant glow in the big train shed.
Secretary Christian and Dr. 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.
Nearer My God to Thee
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 erect, but
slowly, along the station platform.
While her hand was on Secretary
Christians arm, she apparently need
ed no support.
The military guard of honor that
had stood about the casket all the |
way from San Francisco a1ighted.
Members of the party who came
all the way with Mrs. Harding had
stood the trip we'll
AS the solemn strain of the COM
forting old hymn filled the station
the casket was tenderly lifted down
through the special door cut in the
side of the car. 1t was placed on
rolling platform.
A single wreath that had been wait
ing at the station was laid on the
great flag spread over the casket.
Mrs. Harding Bravely Endures
Meantime Mrs. Harding had en-
tered an automobile and had been
vhisked away through side street
to the White House. Her appearance
made the trip with her from San
Francisco set at rest widespread
that she has suffered a ply
sical collapse. It was said she had +
borne up bravely from the first and /
lad shown no sign of breaking under I
he strain.
President Coolidge Follows t
President Coolidge gave his formal G
greetings to his dead chief as the /
,asket reached the head of the aisle i
# soldiers, before the presidents {
DOM. He stood hat in hand as it D
then turned to follow slow S
y with bent head. Fl
The flag-draped burden that car a
led with it the sorrowing heart of e
nation then was borne through the s.
ong room to the plaza beyond and r.
fted to the black-draped gun cais-
on. 1t was strapped in place as the
'oopers of the escort sat with saber RI
aised high in present fl
A moment later, at low COM el
land, the troops turned slowly away OF
} lead the march to the White O.
ouse.
Six bay horses, with two khaki 10
ad outriderS, drew the caisson The al
'cort moved off across the plaza with M
atoon front, then halted while the &C
otor cars took on their passengers. nc
resident Coolidge and Speaker Gill
tt were in the first car.
1t was few minutes before II 81
clock when the sad procession be- an
IN moving toward the capitol III
ounds, where it would swing into er
avenue The hidden ar
,oded lights that usually bathed the WI
pitol with white glow had been an
and the great dome err
bod against moonless sky as if in
a thing of mysterious m
auty lifting above the great pile it NI
rmounts.