The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield: Twentieth President of the United States, Including Full and Accurate Details of His Eventful Administration, Assassination, Last Hours, Death, Etc., Together with Notable Extracts from His Speeches and LettersBrown, E. E. (Emma Elizabeth)
History
The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield: Twentieth President of the United States, Including Full and Accurate Details of His Eventful Administration, Assassination, Last Hours, Death, Etc., Together with Notable Extracts from His Speeches and Letters
Brown, E. E. (Emma Elizabeth)
Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881; Presidents -- United States -- Biography
By half-past one, P. M., on Friday, the 23d, arrangements for the
funeral ceremonies in the rotunda were all completed and the chairs and
sofas labelled to designate for whom they were reserved. The positions
of the floral offerings were changed, and now nothing remained upon the
casket save a few branches of palm. At the head of the catafalque stood
a broken column of white and purple flowers, surmounted by a white dove.
On either side of this were tastefully arranged a crown and a pyramid of
roses. At the foot, and resting against the black drapery, was the
wreath which by order of the queen was the day before placed upon the
casket. Arranged on each side of this offering from the queen were
handsome crosses, while at their base was placed a magnificent floral
pillow on which was inscribed in violets "Our Martyr President." Next to
this was placed "The Gates Ajar," which also attracted much admiration.
The Knights of Malta contributed a large Maltese cross, and the Union
Veteran corps of which General Garfield was a member, a pillow of white
flowers bearing in violet letters the inscription, "U. V. C., to their
comrade." The whole appearance of the catafalque was tasteful and
elegant. In front of the chairs which were placed on the south side of
the casket were arranged sofas for the accommodation of Mrs. Garfield
and the family of the late President. Directly opposite and on the north
side of the catafalque seats were reserved for the members of the
cabinet and distinguished guests. The front row of chairs in the
northwestern section of the rotunda were placed at the disposal of the
justices of the Supreme Court, while in the rear of these several rows
were selected for the accommodation of senators. The representatives
occupied seats on the southeastern and southwestern sections. Behind
these a row of chairs were reserved for the representatives of the
press, and the remainder of the seats in that section were given to the
public generally.
At exactly quarter to two o'clock the doors of the rotunda were opened.
The first society to arrive was the Knights Templars, Beausant
Commandery of Baltimore. They entered in full regalia, but did not
remain in the hall, simply passing around the catafalque in double file.
Four of their number--Sir Knights Stevens, Lawton, Butler and
Jennings--bore a floral offering in the shape of an immense Maltese
cross, which was reverently placed at the head of the dais. At ten
minutes past two the army of the Cumberland filed in by the door
leading from the senate chamber, and took the seats reserved for them.
Immediately after the doors were thrown open to all holders of tickets.
In ten minutes the chairs set apart for the general public were
completely filled. Soon the members of the diplomatic corps arrived, and
were ushered to the seats reserved for them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account