On The Last Sad Journey

ON THE LAST SAD JOURNEY

Dr. Loomis Taken to his Final Rest

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Performed the Last Sorrowful Rites at the Grave of Their Departed Brother

The funeral of the late Dr. William S. Loomis, who died in the Philippines last April, was held from St. Andrew's church Sunday afternoon. The body was laid to rest in Forest Hill cemetery.

The remains of the young physician reached here on Saturday evening from Chicago, having come a distance of almost 10.000 miles. They were met at the Michigan Central depot by a representative of the undertaking firm of O. M. Martin, a party of Knights Templar and a few sorrowing relatives and friends. The casket which contained the body was unusually heavy. This was accounted for by the fact that there was an inner coffin lined with zinc. Both receptacles were of American make, the outer coffin being covered with black cloth, with heavy oxydized silver handles. On the name plate was engraved: "Dr. Wm. S. Loomis, Born 1865, died 1902, Manila, P. I. 

As soon as the casket was taken from the train it was carried by the funeral director's assistants to a mortuary vehicle in waiting and conveyed to the O. M. Martin undertaking parlors on Fourth avenue. Here the lid of the casket was removed. A thick film of what looked like mist covered the glass underneath, completely effacing the body from view. After this film was wiped away, the first view of the young physician was had in Ann Arbor since he left here in January, 1901. 

Beyond the fact that the body was quite emaciated, it otherwise was in a wonderful state of preservation, showing that the embalmers in the far away islands, where Dr. Loomis breathed his last, had done their work well. There was a somewhat pained expression on the face, but beyond this the features bore quite a natural expression. The body was dressed in a plain black suit, a white shirt and black bow tie. He wore the apron, the emblem of Master Masonry.

Around the inside of the outer casket was a deep band of heavy silk. Stamped upon it in gold were "Al. Doctor William S. Loomis" and "La Colonia China, P. I." This band, from its arrangement, evidently was meant to have hung outside of the casket, and thus it was shown on the way to the church and cemetery. In the casket were two cards, one attached to a small bunch of Philippine blossoms, which had withered away. This card told who the flowers had been sent by. It read, "With deep sorrow. Employees of the Hospital." The other card was an ordinary physician's visiting card. On it was printed, "Dr. S. Vinencio del Rosario. Mesik-Soler. 207 Telepono."

Yesterday the body lay in the undertaking parlors until the time came for the funeral to take place. Many friends of the late physician looked upon his still face during the day, and a number brought tributes of their respect in the form of floral offerings. The cards on some of the pieces read: "Dear Will, from Uncle Alfred and Lucy, Detroit, June 1902." "No. 13, A. A. Commandery, Knights Templar." This piece was in the form of a beautiful cross of white roses. "M. W. A." This card accompanied a wreath and was from the Modern Woodmen of America. "With sympathy of Charles E. and Mrs. Hiscock," a lovely bunch of pink roses. "Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Loomis," this card attached to a handsome spray of pink carnations, and "With sympathy of Mrs. Swift and family and Mr. and Mrs. Showerman," this pinned to a magnificent bunch of pink and white carnations.

Shortly after 2:30 o'clock the mournful procession took up its march to the cemetery. Preceding the hearse "were the Knights Templar in full regalia, following the hearse the active pall bearers, then the immediate relatives and friends.

On reaching the church the active pall bearers, Dr. A. C. Nichols, B. F. Watts, L. C. Goodrich, Chas. E. Hiscock, William Guerin and James R. Bach, lifted the casket from the hearse. At the door of the church it was met by the Rev. Mr. Gardam, rector of St. Luke's church, Ypsilanti. "I am the resurrection and the life," The began from the beautiful and solemn Episcopal service for the dead, and the procession wended their way to the place set apart immediately in the front of the chancel. The body was here deposited and the rest of the service read. The hymns were "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Abide With Me, Fast Falls the Eventide," beautifully sung by a quartet of mixed voices. At the conclusion of the service the remains were taken to Forest Hill cemetery, where the impressive service of the Knights Templar for a departed frater was performed.

The honorary pall bearers at the funeral were Prosecuting Attorney John L. Duffy, Dr. Nancrede, Dr. Yutzy and Dr. John Morton.