Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1885 — NO MORE ON EARTH. [ARTICLE]

NO MORE ON EARTH.

The Mortal Remains of Vice-Presi-dent Hendricks Consigned to the Tomb. His Funeral at Indianapolis Attended by an Immense Concourse of People. Many Distinguished Citizens Present—A General Observance of the Day Elsewhere. Lying in State. The remains of the late Vice President Hendricks lay in state at the City Hall in Indianapolis from Sunday forenoon to Monday afternoon, the 30th ult., and were viewed by over 50,000 people. So great were the crowds at times that the military and police were called into requisition to keep the mass moving and to prevent a blockade. When the doors of the building were closed a waiting crowd, numbering thousands, stood in line trying to take a last glance at the face of the dead statesman. At 4 o’clock p. in. Monday the doors >were closed, and the casket was borne through the south en-, trance to the street, where it was placed in the hearse, and, escorted by the four Indianapolis military companies, was returned to the parlor of the homestead. All along the Uno of march the people flocked to see the sad spectacle.

Public Sorrow. On Tuesday, the Ist of December, the mortal remains of Thomas Andrew Hendricks, the fifth Vice President to die during his term of office, were conveyed to the tomb prepared for their reception. The clergy of Indianapolis, without respect to sect, joined in the obsequies, the bells Of all the churchqs tolled a requiem, and the presence of the populace in the column which followed his funeral car, or stood as silent spectators of the solemn spectacle, attested their fealty to his memory. The early morning trains on all the railways brought delegations from the national capital and nil the lending cities of the Union, to gether with an influx of people from all the interior cities and hamlets of Central Indiana and Illinois. The train arrivals swelled .the multitudes on the streets to an extent to impede the Ordinary progress on all the chief thoroughfares. The emblems of mourning which began to appear on public and private buildings the day of the Vice President’s, death had grown in quality and design until the whole city .was in funeral garb. Washington street presented an almost unbroken line of draped houses, while on every business street, and even along the residence streets, the people were lavish in their display of the signs of public sorrow. Portraits of the deceased, all shrouded in block, were profusely hung in windows. The general effect toid in mute eloquence of the high respect with which the people of Indianapolis regarded their fellow-townsman. At the Modest Home. One of the central points of attraction for the visiting multitude was the modest home of the late Vice President, a plain, two-story brick structure., On the front door of the house was a black rosette, from which was pendent a strip of black crape, which constituted the only outward emblem of mourning. The scene presented in the interior of the house, however, carried with it all the Evidence of death. Emblems of mourning and memorial floral designs were at hand everywhere. The oil portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks were almost hidden in banks of flowers and trailing smilax. The most notable representation of the designs in flowers was that of the log cabin in which Mr. Hendricks was bom in Ohio. It stood at the head of his coffined remains, and was tlfe work of ladies of Shelbyville, where Mr. Hendricks had formerly lived. It was six feet in length, and four in height, its sides being composed of callas lilies, hyacinths, carnations, and roses. The roof was of English ivy and smilax, and the chimney of red and white carnations. On one side of the miniature structure, in purple immortelles, was the inscription - “The Home of My Boyhood;” and beneath, "Shelbyville." v On the end of the cabin was suspended a black' satin banner bearing, in letters of gold: “God's fingers touched him and he sleptand the second inscription underneath: “Shelbyville mourns her-distinguished and gifted son.” At 9 o’clock Mrs. Hendricks entered the room for her last leave-taking, accompanied only by her brother and Mrs. Morgan. The ordeal was most trying and the desolate woman seemed to be utterly prostrated, clinging to the last to the clay so soon to be hidden forever from her view, and impressed with the placid and life-like appearance of the dead, she desired to preserve this last scene, and so, late as it was, she sent fora photographer to take a picture of the casket, ’ Shortly after this the*?pall-bearers arrived. The draped hearse and the (Carriages for the family and friends were marshaled before the door, and preparations were mode for the final removal of the body. This was done without further leave-taking.

At the Church.

The police and military kept the curious but always respectful mass of people out of the way, and the little cavalcade moved quietly with its military escort through the densely lined streets to the Cathedral of St. Paul. The casket was home into the church at 11:40 o’clock, the vast congregation having already been seated, with the exception of the immediate relatives and the church vestry. The officiating clergy, four in number Bishop Knickerbocker, of the Indianapolis Diocese; the Rev. Dr. Stringfellow, of Montgomery, Ala., the first rector of St. Paul ’s, and under whose ministrations Mr. Hendricks joined the church; the Rev. Dr. Fulton, of St. Louis, a former rector of St. Paul’s; and the Rev. Dr. Jenckes, the present rector—in their robes of office, met the remains at . the main entrance of the cathedral on Illinois street. The body was borne up the central aisle, the clergymen and members of the vestry going in advance. Bisjiop Knickerbocker voiced the opening sentence of burial service, “I am the resurrection and the life,” followed by the Rev. Drs. Stringfellow and Fulton in their recitation of the other verses used for the dead, until the casket had been carried and placed outside the chancel. The great audience stood while the impressive scene was enacted. After the biet came the widow, leaning on the arm of her brother, Mr. S. W. Morgan, followed by the other relatives, all indeep mournings When the casket had been placed in front of the chancel rail the choir sang the anthem “Lord, Let Me Know My End.” The lesson for the dead was then read by the Rev. Dr. Jenckes. This was followed by the singing of the hymn “Lead, Heavenly Light," by the choir, the audience joining. The Rev. Dr. Jenckes, speaking from the lecturn, delivered an eloquent and touching funeral oration. “Mr. Hendricks’youth," said he, “has a prolific lesson for the youths of our land. In an adjoining county some fifty years ago his tutelage began. The days so often spent by thoughtless boys- in pointless diversions from hard study he, with energy and application, devoted to the acquisition of useful, permanent knowledge, laying, with painstaking earnestness, arid perseverance, and zeal, the foundations of that sturdy,j indomitable character which in later life, carried him to the proud pinnacle of exalted success. The years of his early manhood were years of trial and comparative privation. With the sturdy men who were his co-laborers in the aggressive work, he carved out in the wilderness a great, and prosperous, and happy commonwealth. He was an honest, brave, exemplary young man, who scorned to do a mean or unworthv action; who recognized the restraining influences of moral obligations, and by both precept and example inculcated probity and purity of life. . “Then in maturer vears we have this sturdy, heartv man, with a'strong mind and a warm heart' in a sound body, essaying an active, earnest, prominent part in the affairs of his State and country. As the second officer in the administration of this great nation he was everywhere and always the same able, conservative, consistent, and conscientious charac“iio one who appealed to him for sympathy, counsel, or assistance ever turned away empty. Though his right and his left hands were not in each other’s eotffidence, | still there is a record somewhere of his open-handed hberahty in numberless cases ofdestitution and suffering. He experienced in his daily life the joy of faith and the patience of hope and the comfort of love. These were with him ever: faith, hope, and charity—these three, but the greatest of these was charity. And the admirably organized charities of our city have long felt the guiding impulses of his skillful hand and been cheered by the sympathetic throbbings of Ins generous we tread upon the verge of hallowed cround and touch upon the cofl jugal relations of gov. Hendricks and describe how far•forty years and two months he passed along with dignified. Steady, and faithful, pace beside the noble and devoted woman whom he had chosen for better or for worse; and haw, through stottn and sunshine like Isaac and Rebecca, they lived faithfully together in perfect love end peace !

“Eminent citizen, faithful friend, Christian gentleman, honest man—farewelft” \ When the speaker had conclraied, Mrs. Doner, of Chicago, sang "Rock of Ages,” the Bishop closing with prayers and benediction. The casket .-was then lifted and borne from the church, the audience remaining seated. ' « To the Cemetery. The bells of all the city churches began their tolling when the remains were token from the house, and continued their peeling during the j continuation of the church rites and while the procession was on its long march to Crown Hill Cemetery. Tile column moved in the following order of procession. Metropolitan police, mounted and on foot. Band. ; Chief,. Marshal KnefHer and staff. Chief of Staff, Maj. C. L. Holstein. Aids pf Chief Marshafi" - FIRST ' DIVISION. Adjt. Gen. George W. Koonts, commanding. Staff of Governor of Indiana. All military organizations in positions assigned by Gen. Koontz. SECOND DIVISION. Edward Hawkins, United States Marshal, commanding. Chief of Staff, Col. Charles E. Zollinger. Aids of Marshal of Second Division. ,’Band. Carriage containing officijlting clergy. Pall-bearers. Committee of Arrangements. |7 «* Police. leg Police. ' Li Indianapolis Eight Infantry, Capt. J. B. Ross Commanding, guard of honor and special escort. Carriages containing family and friend". Distinguished guests. Governor of Indiana and State officers. State judiciary. United States military officers. United States civil officers. County judiciary. County officers. City officials. THIRD DIVISION. Maj. Jas. L. Mitchell, commanding. FOURTH DIVISION. William E. Christian, commanding. INDIANAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief Webster, commanding. The carriages were driven three abreast. The movement was slow, the progress at times being almost impei-ceptible, until the column emerged ■ upon Meredian street, a broad and very handsome avenue leading to the entrance to the beautiful Crown Hill' Cemetery. The cortago moved pn by the handsome homes ! of the wealthy, whose windows and sidewalks were filled with great throngs. The broad thoroughfare stretched out into the country beyond the limits of the city, and when the head of the 1 column came within sight of the cemetery, a mile distant, the Indianapolis Eight Artillery began to fire minute guns, which was continued until the hearse approached the grave,.

At the Tomb. Winding through a thick growth of Beach and maple trees, the military division came upon a large open view, and, approaching the open grave on the Hendricks .family lot, which occupies the most commanding view in the grounds, turned to the left and then again to the right, finally completely encircling the tract of which the Hendricks plat forms a part. The most careful attention had been given to the matter of decoration at the cemetery. The monument of the deceased statesman—a massive and beautiful shaft of about thirty feet in height, and built entirely es polished gray granite—stands on probably the most attractive as well as commanding ground in the inclosure. Immediately opposite is the exquisite chapel of the Cemetery Association, while a little to tho northwest is the bury-ing-ground of the Indiana soldiery. In the midst of this a tall flag-staff bore a superb garrison flag at half-mast, and another of the same character was trained about the monument. The latter was covered to a suitable extent with smilax and choice flowers, and about the two sides of the base, on the interior, were ferns and potted plants injgreat profusion. The grave was closely walled up with mosses, smilax and cut flowers, and the casket was seemingly deposited in a chamber of flpral beauty. A heavy marble vault, of size proportioned to that of the casket, was first placed in jxisition, and, on the deposit es the latter, received its cap slab of like material, and this in turn was ladgn with flowers. The last glimpse of the sorrowing widow and mourners thus suggested nothing of the unpleasant features df the ordinary interment About the grave wide mats had been placed to protect the immediate participants from the dampness of the turf, and they also extended down the inclining sword to the carriage-way. The grave of little Morgan, the idolized son and only child of the Vice President and his widow, lies immediately to the left of the resting place of his illustrious father, and on the west Aide ofthe monument. The singular affection entertained for the little one by his honored parents is known as a household word in the community where they lived. The utmost care had been taken by those in charge of the matter to decorate the little one’s grave and its surroundings. i When the hearse had halted near the lot, the casket was home to the grave. The venerable Bishop Knickerbocker preceded it and read a few verses for the dead, and after the lowering of the casket the Rev. Dr. Jenckesread the committal services, the Bishop closing with prayer and benediction. Only the widow and her supporters approached the grave, the remaining multitude standing off, silent spectators. Distinguished Mourners. - It is rarely that a public man in this cmintry has been followed to his last resting place oy so many distinguished men as attended the funeral of the Vico President. The Congressional committees arrived early Tuesday morning. The Senate committee consisted of Senators G. F. Edmunds, W. B. Allison, J. L. Pugh, J. G. Harris, Ot'D. Conger, H. W. Blair, J. N. Dolph, G. G. Vest, J. B. Beck, J, N. Camden, Z. B. Vance, J. K. Jones, and D. W. Voorhees. They were accompanied by Gen. Anson G. McCook and Col. W. P. Canaday, Sergeant-at-•Anns. The House Committee consisted of William R. Morrison, J. H. Blount, H. A. Herbert, W. S., Holman, W. M. Springer, W. P. Hepburn, S. B. Ward, W. W. Phelps, J. J. Kleiner, Thomas Ryan, P. Dunn. They were accompanied by Sergeant-at-Arms Eeedom. Besides the above distinguished gentlemen thete were present Secretaries B.ayard, Whitney, Lamar, and Endicott, and Postmaster General Vilas, of the Cabinet ; Associate Justices Matthews and Blatehford representing tho Supreme Court; ex-President Hayes, Gen. W. T. Sherman, ex-Gov. B. Gratz Brown, ex-Senator John B. Henderson and Congressman O’Neill, of Missouri; ex-Mayor Francis, and a largo number of other men of note from St. Louis ; Gov. Oglesby, and many well-known people from Springfield, Ill.; ex-Gov. Bishop, of Ohio; Gov. Hoodly and staff, of Ohio; Spnator Payno and party, Ohio; tho Mayors arid members of the City Councils of St. Louis, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Chicago; Major General Schofield, Major Sanford, S. Coming Judd, of Chicago; ex-Seriator Graham N. Fitch, of Logansport; the Gondola Club, Toledo; the Americus Club, Peoria; P. Henry Dagro and party of twenty men, from New York, the Jefferson Club, Dayton; a delegation of twenty-five from Tammany Hall, and others; the Jackson Club, of Columbus, Ohio; the Evansville Oity Council; the Jefferson Club, of Dayton, Ohio; Senator T. W. Palmer, of Michigan; L. D. Thoman, ex-Civil Service Commissioner ; George W. Geddes, of Ohio; Col. R. W. Thompson, of Terre Haute; ex-Secretary Washburne, of Hlinois ; Gov. Knott and staff, of Kentucky; Senator Ben Harrison and ex-Senator Joseph E. McDonald, and hundreds of others of more or less note. Special trains were run into Indianapolis from every direction, to accommodate. the public, and they were taxed to the utmost capacity. It is estimated that 50,000 strangers were in the city.

Honors for the Dead. At Washington the Supreme Court, met on Monday, the 30th ult. On the opening of the court Attorney General Garland made formal announcement of the death of the Vice President, and, after paying a tender tribute to , his memory, moved that the court adjourn out of respect to the deceased. Chief Justice Waite responded, expressing regret at tile . pad event, and adjourned the court until Thursday, the 3d inst. " The Indiana Bar Association met at Indianapolis, Judge Gresham presiding. A lengthy memorial was adopted and brief eulogistic addresses delivered by distinguished members of the association. At South Betid, Ind., memorial services were held in a large rink, which was completely packed. Business was generally suspended, and the services were participated in by all classes, Republicans and Democrats alike. The New- York Stock Exchange and Boards of Trade in nearly all the cities, the departments at Washington, the departments in the various State capitals, and all the postoffices wore closed out of respect to the memory of the deceased. Bells were tolled during the afternoon in many of the cities of Virginia. V - . ” At Pittsburg and Allegheny the day was gen" erally observed. The arsenal guard fired the three regulation Salutes. The Galveston bar adopted resolutions of respect. All public places were closed and business was suspended generally. i Kew York and Brooklyn were dotted with halfmasted fiags, and the public offices and exchanges were closed most of the day.