The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-08-16

Tribute at Bier.
Marion, O.-FOllOwed by a throng
of mOurners, the highest in the land
and the humble who also had been
his friends, the body of Warren G..
Harding was taken to the Marion
cemetery Friday and placed in the
receiving vault.
No imposing ceremony, no military
marked the mournful event, because
Mrs. Harding wished 1t so, but as the
simple services were 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-
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, senators
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 it 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, DIR. George
T. Harding. From 2 until 10 p. m.
that day and from 8 a. IN. until | p. m.
Friday opportunity was given Ohioans
to view the face Of their dead friend.
Then, quite without pomp, the casket
vas borne to the cemetery. Follow
ing the hearse were the members Of
the Harding family; next the Presi-
dent Of the United States with mem
bers of the cabinet and other high
officials; then came Mr.. Harding's
close friends and neighbors, and after
them a great %concourse of mourners.
Simple Services in Cemetery.
1t vas Mrs. Harding's wish that all
who wished should have a 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.
The Star had suspended publication
for the day., and indeed all business
activity in Marion ceased throughout
Friday. Not as a part of the funeral
procession but TO preserve order and
direct the heavy traffic, 5000 troopers
of the Chic National Guard were
present.
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 Sculptures and the singing
of Mr.. Haf>lng's favorite hymns
that was all. Ii was simple and dig
nified, as was BETTING the ~obsequies
of a distinguished citizen of Marion.
The services were in charge Of Rev.
George nj. Lands, pastor of Trinity
Baptist church, of which Mr.. Harding
was a member. He was assisted by
Rev. Jesse Swank, pastor of the Meth
odist Episcopal church. Mrs. Harding's
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 II will remain until a mauso-
leum has been erected to receive 1t.
As the weeping family and friends
moved away from the vault. National
Guard soldiers stepped forward and
took their place on guard. In a 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 win 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 vas 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 Ut Capital.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. g. Harding.
kWenry-ninfh Dresidenf ~ the United