Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-04
Mrs. Harding's Courage Unbent
As Services Are Held IN Frisco
Stands Brauely by While Prayer L
Said at FIo,Uer-Banked Coffin
of Her Husband.

fort and sustaining grace be upon
members of the stricken family, his
aged father his brother and sisters.
and especially, upon his faithful. de-
voted wife, and helpmate Comfort
her with the hope of eternal life and
according to her great need, be Thou
her sufficiency day by day until that
bright morning dawns when she shall
see again the face of him Whom She
has loved long since and lost awhile.
I'VE make this petition for Thy rlch
blessing upon the nation ana tne
world in the name of Him who Is the
resurrection and the life, Jesus CHRIST,
our Lord and Savior"
Others Lenve Room.
Mrs. Harding's eyes were dry at the
finish of the prayer and in half
choked voice she uttered the word
Amen"
When the minister finished. Mrs:
Christian stepped back to her original
Secretary Christians arm, walked TO
the front of the coffin. held her hand
out to Rev. DR.. West and gazed at
the face of her dead husband.
However, her gaze lasted for only
Il moment. and she began to talk
she looked toward the small crowd,
and after a few seconds her wishes
seemed to be instinctively felt by
those present Gen. J. J. Pcrshing and
Gen. Morton led the procession out.
Mrs. Harding stood erect and
"A break in her figure or catch In
her voice as she continued 10 talk
with the minister.
All Cry Unnshamed.
Only once during the entire serv-
ice did Secretary Christian seem wor
ried about Mrs. Harding. AS the min
lister uttered the words, we bless
Thee for his unshrinking courage.
his stalwart strength his radiant
kindness and gentleness; for his self
forgetting disposition in the cause of
justice, brotherhood and peace for the
individual. the nation and the world,
in the propagation of which he Sacri-
feed his life" Secretary Christian re-
moved his arm and started to put 1t
around Mrs. Hardings waist, but as
he glanced at her face, he imme
diately placed his arm where she
could again hold it.
While Mrs. Harding. a pathetic fig
ure. stood dry-eyed, tears Of sorrow
Streamed unchecked down the cheeks
Of many, including Washington news
paper correspondents, among whom
the late President numbered many Of
his closest and most intimate friends.
Men who make business Of report
country and who ordinarily are un-
concerned in regard to their work
stood unashamed as they cried for
one they loved.
Ceremony Lasts - Minutes.
James C. McReynolds. justice of the
United States Supreme Court: Secre-
taries Hubert Work. Henry c. Wal
lace and Herbert Hoover Mrs. Work
Mrs. Hoover and Mr.. and Mrs Nal
colin Jennings Of Columbus. Ohio. and
DR.. and Mrs. c. Z. Sawyer were
among the members OF the presiden-
tial party who lined the room during
the religious ceremony, which started
at sos pm. and finished at 5:19 pm.
For several minutes prior to the de-
parture of Mrs. Harding there were
wild reports being circulated to the
effect that she was SO i'll that physi-
clans had forbidden her TO make the
journey east These reports soon
proved unfounded. The true reason
for the delay in her departure was
the desire Of members of the presi-
Dental party to spare her the ordeal
of having to make the slow journey
TO the station.
AS Mrs, Harding passed down the
hotel corridor leading to the elevator
she turned to a policeman, who had
been detailed to the floor on which
the presidential suite was located, and
said:
Thank you very much. MI Wat
SON.