Evening star., 1924-02-06
INCIDENTS AT WILSON
FUNERAL SHOW LOVE
NATION HAD FOR HIM
Continued from First Page.)

intervals along the avenue and S
street to stand guard until the body of
the lost commander had passed.
With the military detail came from
Fort Myer Sergt. Frank Witchey, the
hugler who sounded taps at the
funeral ceremonies of Americas Un-
known Soldier
Cavalry, stationed at Fort Myer, and
his home is in Mahanoy City, Pa. The
instrument he used was the same he
used at Arlington. and it bore this
inscription on the gold-plated bell: >.
Taps sounded over the body Of I'm
known Soldier at Arlington national
cemetery November IL, 1921, by Staff
Sergt. Frank Witchey of headquar-
ters troop, Sd United States Cavalry,
Fort Myer. Va. Heard through am
CISCO"
Great Floral Tributes.
On both sides of the entrance to the
chapel We're great set pieces of the
floral tributes, fianking the way to the
door through which the caSket passed
on THE Way to Peace" as ran the
legend craven in the stone arch of the
doorway Inside and at the residence
there were great mountains of flowers
banking the walls.
Within the chapel the flowers had
been maSSed on both sides of the altar
and along the altar rails. To the left
of the altar itself, standing back in a
recess lighted by stained-glass win
dows. the flag stood, military stand
ard swinging free on it's staff with no
mourning band.
Along the entrance corridor to the
chapel the wreathS and floral pieces
We're set in a wonderful array of
beauty. On one wall hung a mighty
wreath of white and red roses. more
than seven feet across. 1t was sent
from New York to express the sym
pathy and the gratitude of the Polish
people of New York. Nearby was the
nag or France. done in fragrant bios
SONS, and from some of the embassies
had come the coats of arms of the
nations made up in flowers, while
about the chapel or the corridor were
grouped the offerings of the other
diplomatic missions
Chairs had been set for the dis
tingu1shed few who might witness
half covered the floor of the chapel.
There was little room behind for those
who would stand. -,
on the back wall of the chapel,
where the organ pipes are Set in.
flush with the stonework, blossoms
had been woven into the sculptured
decorations that tell the story of the
birth of Christ
Thousands In Streets.
Meantime, an hour before the serv-
ice at the home was to begin, several
thousand persons were gathered i'm
the streets. which We're lined on
either side by marines and infantry
men.
They had come to get a feeting
glimpse of the start of the funeral
procession to Mount st. Alban. The
assemblage grew with every minute
despite gathering clouds and a threat
of snow,
A sudden attack of illness prevent
ed Chlef Justice Taft from taking
his place among the honorary nall
hearers and Senator Lodge sent word
that throat attack would make II
impossible for him to act as a mem
Der of the committee of senators,
CHARLES 5 Hamlin. former governor
of the Federal Reserve Board: Robert
Bridges of New York. a classmate of
Mr.. Wilson, and Rear Admiral Cary
L: Grayson, the friend and physician
or years, were added to the corps of
honorary pallbearers.
Soldiers Tribute Remains.
As Mr.. Wilson's body.was placed
in the casket a bouquet of orchids
the tribute of American soldiers in
the world war. was placed upon it
and remained the only floral offering
IN that place of pre-eminence during
the day.
The guard of honor of twenty-four
service men arrived at 2 o'clock and
took up it's station just outside the
front door, standing in double file,
headed by eight soldiers dressed in
khaki uniforms and overcoats. Eight
sailors were next in blue sailor hats
and blue jackets. and then the eight
marines Immediately behind dressed
in field green uniforms and overcoats
with white gloves.
Three secret service men who
served at the White House during the
Wilson administration also arrived
shortly after o'clock to take their
places among those who were gath
cred to do the last ministrations for
the dead.
The honorary pallbearers and
these invited to attend the services
in the home began arriving about
2:30 There was a furry of snow
but it lasted only moment. and then
a ray of sunshine broke through and
bathed the dull scene in splendor.
Auto Stream Continuous.
Automobiles began arriving in con-
tinuous procession an hour before
the services within the cathedral
were scheduled to begin. The first
of the cabinet officers to arrive at
the cathedral was Secretary Hubert
Work of Interior.
Rear Admiral Cowie of the official
representation of the Navy, and a
Marine officer comrade were the first
to arrive in the uniform. their decora-
tions lending an official color to the
scene.
Henry White, one of the peace COM
missioners who served with Mr.. Will
son at Paris, was another early ar
rival at the cathedral.
He was followed by Butler Wright,