The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-08-16
Thousands Attend the Memorial Service Which
Was Held in Library Park for Dead
Former President.
A STRANGE HUSTLED HALF HOLIDAY
Spirit of Mourning Shown by Crowds That Line the
Street and Pay Silent Tribute to Memory
of Great Leader.

A strange hushed half holiday was
observed in Kenosha Friday afternoon.
The entire city, stilled as token
of respect to the memory of former
President Warren Gamaliel Harding,
Joined with the nation and the world
in mourning the death of the great
leader. While in Marion, Ohio, the
home city of the dead chieftain, serv-
ices marked by simplicity but attend
ed by the highest officials of the land
were being held as the remains were
being laid away to rest, at this same
time a solemn mem orial service was
held in Kenosha, awakening the minds
of the people to the great toll which
the grim reaper had exacted.
It was one Of the most notable gath
erings which Kenosha has known IN
all its history, the throngs, lining the
streets and attending the service
proper at Library Park, rivalling the
gatherings that marked the high days
of the wal. At those times there had
been a spirit Of war enthusiasm or
victory which flushed the crowds; on
Friday in its place was Strange sol
emnfty and hush that gave evidence
that Kenosha was truly mourning the
death Of the president.
All Ranks Heard Call.
Kenoshans from every walk and sta
ton in life halted their businesses and
their pleasures to join in the tribute
to the fallen leader. Political differ
ences, creeds and nationalities were
forgotten as all mourned the dead
Old and young, rich and poor, they
gathered many of them at Market
square to form into the solemn cere-
mony which led by the Troop E cavalry
troop and the American Legion, Sim
mons company and Nash bands, march
ed in solemn procession to Library
Park. Along the street stood hundreds
with bowed uncovered heads, watching
the strange procession and showing by
their mein that a realization OF the
great loss had come to them.
Age and Youth There.
With slow measured tread thousands
marched to the funeral music. In the
ranks were veterans of 81, some Of
whom no doubt had marched in the
tributes paid to President Lincoln, or
to Presidents Garfield or Mckinley;
then there were boys and girls learn
ing one of the first sad lessons of
citizenship.
Prominent in the ranks were mem
bers of the American Legion, Troop +
and veterans of other wars, all uniting
to pay tribute to the memory of a
great chief. Many of the patriotic or
CARNATIONS had delegations in line;
many fraternal organizations of all
nationalities joined in the solemn
tribute. All industries were repre-
sented by hundreds of their workers.
Officials of the city and county laid
aside their formal duties to take part
in the mem orial service. Commandant
tJessel S. Whyte, head of the Kenosha
post of the American Legion, was mar
shall and master Of ceremonies and I'M
der his direction the service was car
ried on with orderliness and despatch.
Salute. and Then Taps.
AT Library Park the crowd was
quickly niarshalled into place. A bug
Ter soundedsh his call for attention and
the call was taken up by the American
Legion band which played "The Star
Spangled BANNER" symbolic of the
national greatness of the man for
whom Kenoxha had laid aside it's
work-a-day life to pay final respect to
his memory. AS the strains of the
national anthem ended there came the
tribute of silence--a five-minute period
when all Kenosha was stilled, almost
as silent as the grave, the only breaks
being the tolling of church bells and
the sounding Of the national salute,
twenty-one ,volleys by the firing squad
of Troop E. oss
AS the sound Of the last shot died
away, a former soldier, bugler in
war days, rose and sounded the music
of tapA. the tribute to the former COM
mander-in-chiaf of the army and navy
of this country Another bugler
caught up the strain and like an echo
it was sent back in one of the most
impressive parts of the ceremony,
All City Was Silenced.
Meanwhile in Kenosha the sound of
the salute and the tolling of the church
bells had called the city to dead
stop. For FIVE minutes all traffic was
halted; automobiles slid to a full STOP
heads waited reverently for the period
20 pass III. noIleSy nuuuISuS VINO COulI
not reach the ceremony, Joined in this
tribute of respect to the dead presi-
dent.
AS the music of Taps died away, the
Rev. Father w. d. Malone, pastor of
the St. Thomas church, arose and asked
the invocation of God on the service.
He prayed in part as follows:
"He Was Thy Servant"
''0ur Father, look down upon us to-
day as we are gathered here to pay q
tribute of love and respect to the
memory of a great and kindly man.
This day the whole nation is bowed;
today America pauses and prays While
the body of our late president is laid
to final rest and his soul returned to
You, who gave it. We look. to You for
further guidance today as we lay to
rest man who has taken with him
into his last Sleep the respect and love
of all Of his and Thy people. He was
Thy servant--he fell doing Thy work;
he was faithful to his trust.
"His was his Masters creed-let us
love all and do good to all.