The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-28
ENTIRE NATION
PAYS TRIBUTE
TO W. ]. BRYAN
COmmOner 10 BE Buried in
Arlington Among Heroes
of Republic
BODY LIES IN STATE
Hundreds File Past Bier
of Religious and Political
Leader

so"s SOsy sos-NVJ-Nb the
body Of William jennings Bryan
lay in simple state In the home
Of friend here today, the peo-
pie Of America paid him symus.
thetic tribute.
While others from among
their midst poured messages of
coincidence into the little white
cottage which housed the remains
Of the cOmmoner, uncounted
thousands whose causes he ha~
championed mOurned q leader,
silently.
Of varying political views,
he had found in them 4 common
chord when he came forward xs
defender Of the inspired Bible
and revealed religion.
Even AZ news came from Wash.
ingtOn that arrangements had
been made for the interment OF
their loved leader among the ma.
tiOn's heroes many were penning
messages Of sympathy to the
widow.
While the members Of the imme-
diately family were hurrying across
the continent from California and
other western and midwestern states,
these admirers were discussing his
features in h0mely phrase.
Among the foot hills Of the Cum
berland hills where he spent the
closing days of his career, farmers
paused to talk with neighbors Of the
man who had passed. In simple
terms they spoke of him as they had
heard him during the past several
weeks or they laid aside their work
in orchards or cornfields and made
their way to Dayton where the body
this afternoon will lie in state.
Hundreds View Body
Out of Difference Of these simple
people, Mrs. Bryan who had express-
ed desire for an unostentat,ous
funeral service for her husband.
postponed arrangements for them TO
take last look at his remains.
Their appreciation Of this defer
cncc was shown today. BY foot, as
tride mules, jostling behind rude
convryanccs and by automobile they
came from among the hills.
Lightly they stepped as they lett
the sidewalk and passed up the four
cement steps to the grassy lawn
where rested the bronze casket. Con-
versation ceased and they were si-
lent as they stoically viewed the pla-
cid features of him, whom last they
had heard and cheercd as he defend
ed the Bible.
Few of them ventured to intrude
upon the widow--even to carry the
messages of consolation and sympa-
thy they wished to convey. Re
leved of the burden Of preparation
which she had borne, unaided, she
today found more time to review the
past of her dead and to contemplate
the tributes of atfectionate acclaim
millions Of hearts were bestowing
upon the memory OF the fallen
leader.
Secretary Plans Funeral
Plans for the journey to Washing
ton and interment in Arlington ceme-
terry had been taken over by VIM.
f. Thompson, youthful secretary to
the dead, man. who was recalled from
Virginia, to join the widow of his
former chief by news Of the death.
The body will leave for Washing
ton tomorrow morning and arrive
Thursday morning. After services
Friday, probably in Presbyterian
church, burial will be in Arlington.
President Coolidge has ordered that
flags on government buildings in
the capitol be at half staff Friday.
Although surrounded by friends
who tenderly sought to perform her
every desire, Mrs. Bryan has been
crushingly alone in her grief. Her
son. William Jennings Bryan Jr., left
for California few days before his
father died. The secretary had gone
on his vacation. All her daughters
we're in distant states.
Yet the fortitude with which she
bore. her sorrow amazed associates
who sought to share her suffering.
The approach of her daughter.
Mrs. Ruth Owen, brought q ray Of
cheer to Mrs. Bryan today. Mrs.
Owen, fastening here from Mount
Vernon, Ohio, was expected to reach
Dayton early today.
William Jennings Bryan. Jr., Was
speeding eastward with his sister,
Mrs. Grace Hargreaves, and planned
to Join the mother in Washington.
Friday morning, and attend her to
the burial services later in the day.
Many Messages
Hundreds of kilograms poured in
upon the widow yesterday and last
night and today letters began to ar
rive, each bearing another consola-
tory note; each adding bit to the
tribute to her husband.
From men high in the nations
affairs down the line to men and
women, other "simple people," these
came. From President Coolidge
from senators. governors, ministers
church organizations and other in
stitutions, notes Of coincidence ar
rived.