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Arthur's Funeral

Arthur's Funeral image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
November
Year
1886
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The funeral of ex-President Chester A. Arthur took place in New York 011 the 2:M iiiit., with ceremonies of the möat simple nature. Excepting tho crowd that blocked tho strocts in the vicinity of tho family fesidence nnd along the route to the church, there was little to indícate that the man who had been the rulor of the nation was being laid away to hls fiuul resting place. It liad bien the purposo of the family to adorn the casket with a singlo wreath, ai a token of affection, but a tribute f rom President Cleveland, and that, together with a cross of laurel, a floral pillow iuscribed "Kequiescat in pace-' and soma palm leaves were placed about and on the cotlln. The body had been attired in black, the coat being frock. The face wus piada and wnxted. As the coflin was carried down the flight of stairs leading to the front hall, the pallbearers walked down the steps to the street and proceeded to carnages tlmt were waiting ahead of the hearse. They walked two abreast and were led by PresidentrArthur's Becretaries, Walter y. Gresbam aud Kobert 'J'. Lincoln. The others were ex-Seeretaries Williain H. Chantllur and Iknj. H. Brewiter, ex-Póstmaster Gen. Krank Untton, Gen. l'hülip II. Sheridun, Gen. Gcorge il. Bharpe, Dr. Cornelius R. Agnew, Cornelias N. iiliss, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Robe ft G. Dun ana (.'liarles L. Tiffany. All wore scarfs of black and white extending over the .■.mulders and down to tb wai-t. After the casket had been placed in the hearse- a plnmeless vehicle drawn by two black horses- the chief mourners came. In the first carriage were young Chester A. Arlhur and his sister, Wellie. Following them came Mrs. He.Elroy, Gen. Arthur's sister, with an escort, and after her came Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Haynesworth, who are also sisters of the deceased. All were ecorted down the steps by ex-Marshall McMichael, who had charge of thO arrangemonts. After the hearse had moved off a few paces President Clevelaud took his place in the first carriage behind it. He was acoompanied by Postmaster General Yilns and Secretarles Bayard and Whitncv followed. Secretary Lainar and Gen. V. T. fcjherman were next. The chief justice, MorrisonR. Waite, and Justice Harían and Blatchford took seats in the next carriage, and Senators Edmunds, I.ogan and Evarts followed. Senators Hawley and Gornian were next in the line, and after them Gov. HiU. In other carriages were HurrogatS Hollina, President Arthur's law partner, Mr. Knevals, Elihu Koot. .Win. Dowd, Horace Russell and a few others. Throughout the entire route people were massed in countless numbers. Nona but those who held cards were admit.ted to the church. The soldiers and allora who were to escort the body f rom tho church to the railroad station, were ranged along the west sidc of the avenue, from Forty-seventh to Forty-fifth streets. They stood in the positiou of salute as the hcar.se was driven past ihem, and their brigbt uniforms of blue and rea presented au imposing appearanee. When the hoarso drew up in front of tho church the. jjall bearers tilighted and maxched as betbre, ahead of the CasKet, as it was cárried up the low steps of tho church' to theentran.ee. Seldom was there sucji a distitiguished congregation as waa asseuibled within the sacred The chuich it;èlf was most tastefullv draped with black and purple cloth. while the Ïortico of tho edifico, which fronts on 'ifth nvcnue, was hung with two American flags kiiottcd with crape. The door po-t-; of the vestibule were entwined with folds of black cloth. The casket was niet at the door by the BurpUced choir aud clergymeu, singing the processional hymn ''Asleep iu Jesus." The casket was covertil with heavy black cloth. on whioh rested two palm branches and asimple wreath óf roses. The pall-bearers followed immediately after. Tho casket was placed upon the catafalqüe in front of the alter, near which stood a palm tree surrounded by a bunk of roses and lilies. Following the pall came the ruourners. Theu came the intiman? friends and the presidential party. Thisincluded President Cleveland, who canuin with ex-President Rutherfora B. Hayes The president and ex-president attractod great utteution as they walked down the aisle side by side, and were showu ■ a pew directly in the rear of those resorvea fór tho family. Tho president was followed by the. members of tho cabinet, Judges of thesilpreme beuch, the senaiOria commiEtee, cousis,ting of Messra Edmunds. Logan, Allison. Butler, Cainoron, Voorlees; Jlillor, Vest, Gorman, Hawíey luid Junes;' the congressional delgation" o mprising Messrs, Hewitt, Hia"cóck, Ermíntrout, Kelleyi Springer. Hi;t, 'Reed, Wellborp,.' Phelps, Matson, Lpng, Wilkins and Heard. . _ -.. The church seats 8-íO people and was filed .( to overflowing. Among ' th distitiguished jiersons ]resent were James G. Blaine. Henry Ward Beeeher, Roscoe CoiiklinK, Gen. B F. Butler, Theodore Roustan.iFrenph minister, Senor Romero, Mexican minister, and other prominent peojile. The services were conducted by Rev. Ur. D.. Parker Morgan, rector of tho churqh; Rev. E.W. Baijcock., his asslstant; Rev. Dr. V. A. Lepnard of St. Johu's churoh, .Washington." and Rev. Dr. (íco. Rainsford of íSt. (ieorge's church. Rev. Dr. l.eoiiard ópenéd the services by reading f nun . 1 he. üítii oliapter of tue tir.-t epistle of Paul tí) the ('orinthians. The cuoir rtfSfl sang tlie anthem "Let me know my Midi" Alter the reading of the hymn "Nenrer'iiH-God to Thee," it was sung'by the choir a:ad was followed by t lio mil licm "1 heard a vóice from heaven" and the hymn "'Thou art veary." Hev. Dr. Morgan rêteTttto büríálsér vico: and thc exircises closed by 6he.sinKing.of the processional hymn "Abide with me." The eoffir. was then lifted from the catafalcjue and was follbyed by the pall-bearers. the mourners, nnd the congressional army and navy delegations to the hearse in waiting. The {ujieral es.cortof military and sailors at once feil into line aud the ■band playee! a lunerel dirge wliile the coflin was born from the church to the beai'no. The processiou from the church to the Grand Central depot then 'started. l'pon the arrival of the funeral train at Albatiy the.jentaius were at once taken to the rural oenwtery, where they WDie followed by til 9 common' council in a body, Lb'e (irant club, and other delegations. At the grave the Right Rev. Wm. Croswell Doane, biBh'cp of Albany, in the full robes of liis oflice, stepped to the evergreen-lined gr&ve, and -'taking some earth from that thrown up from tho opening, dropped three handfuls on tho oasen board of the outer box, reciting the beautiful cominittal service of the Episcopal church. Tho bishop offered prayer and pronouneed the benediction; Earth was thrown in the grave nnd presied dowa, and when tlie cliisk uf vening tiegan to ■ettle on forest and hill left hands covered the newlv-niude niouud with sheets of sod.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat