The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-07
NATIONS CAPITAL
is IN MOURNING
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dent-now in death. The troopers
viii meet him and carry him in SOL
emn procession down Pennsylvania
Ave. to his official home, the White
House, there to lie in the candle
light of the old East room.
Calvin Coolidge, the new chief exec
utive, stirred early in his suite in the
improvised White House on the third
floor Of the Willard Hotel. The cars
were ready to take him to the station,
there to meet Mrs. Harding. widow
of his chief, to escort her back to the
White House; there to see the flag
draped casket which holds the mortal
symbol of the President and friend.
Supreme Court jurists, Cabinet
members, Senators and high officials
of. stationary of them selected by
Mr.. Harding, and all of them his
friends-clothed themselves in diplo-
matte mourning clothes.
This afternoon, they will ride in
big black nmousines down to the, sta
ton. The business of government is
done for three days and a half at
noon. The officials buildings closed
their doors. In the Capitol building
men hurried about making ready the
rotunda for funeral services tomorf
row.
Catafalque Placed. .
From, a cryp, the catafalque which
has hald fha hOdfac Of
field and Mckinley was carried and
placed beneath the dome.
An array of flags above the big
structure dropped at half-mast in the
heavy air.
Organized squads of school children
from the Washington Fairgrounds
were out in the fields of the city gath
ering, wild flowers. which will be
strewn along Pennsylvania Ave, in
the path of the funeral procession.
AT the White House the staff-those
who kEew Mr.. Harding intimately in
life and saw him go away in the full
flush of success for Alaska a few
weeks ago-scurried about in last
gratings citizens gathered and peered
silently up at the big house.
In the stores along the avenue pic
lures of the President robust and
smiling, are in the show-windows hung
with crepe. Bigger portraits are
placed in the hotel Hobbies.
Homes in Mourning
Homes along the shaded streets in
the outer section are touched with
mourning.
Not for twenty-five years has the
national capital received back in be-
half of the nation the body Of a
President who died in office. That
was when Mckinley was shot in
Buffalo by an assassin in 1901.
Down in the broad plaza in front
Of the Union Station the silent crowd
grew as the hours passed.
There, kings and queens have ar
rived in state, soldiers returned from
war and presidents to assume office
amid joyous scenes. But today, into
the great marble structure will come
the body of the President, aecompa-
Nnied by the mourning caravan which
bore Il across the continent, $50 that
Washington might thus honor him.
Marines will be there with their
band to play the heart-shaking funeral
marches which will echo throug the
nation. AS the black funeral train
pulls in, the soldiers, sailors and ma
rfnes who have stood guard over The
body for four days and nights Will
lift 1t from the bier and carry it slowly
from the car. Outside the military es-
.cort will greet it with presented arms.
To lie TTNau CoiSS0n
The artillery caisson which is to-
carry the body to the White House
will be drawn up at the entrance to
the Presidents room at the station.
The bearers will place the casket up
On it and the solemn procession will
begin.
Mre.c Harding viii go Immediately to
the White House. Those in charge
of arrangements wish to save her
from the STRAIN
The body will be carried up Penn
syfvania Ave, the street of the pres
! idents. AT the White House, the col
urnn will stop and bearers will carry
the casket into the East Room where
1t will lie until the official funeral to-
morrow.
Inc East Room Is Wnere the gilt
tering balls and lavish receptions Of
the Government are given. No visitors
viii be admitted except the immediate
friends Of Mrs. Harding.
Only a few floral tributes Will be
placed on the casket while it>remains
at the White House. These will be
from Mrs. Harding, President and
Mrs. Coolidge, the Supreme Court, the
Senate, the House of Representatives
and heads Of foreign and State gov
ernments.
Pershing to Lead Cortege
General Pershing will head the
funeral cortege tomorrow, command
ing the military escort. Soldiers and
sailors representing all branches of
the service compose this guard Of
honor.
Five military bands will be in line,
playing the dirge.
Following the troops. who will bel
formed about the caisson, carrying
the casket, Government officials andl
orivate citizens will march,
Former President Woodrow Wilson
VII occupy an automobile just behind