A Hushed City

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 179, 14 July 1927, Page 5

A Hushed City

Funeral of Mr. O’Higgins.

IMPRESSIVE SERVICES, CROWDS LINE ROUTE TO CEMETERY. [By Cable —Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 14, 11.16 a.m.) London. July 13. Mrs Stanley Baldwin has written to Mrs O’Higgins. saying: “1 hesitate to intrude in your terrible time of Buttering, but 1 want you to know tlrat thpre are English people who admired your husband as a patriot and a man. That he should have been the victim of a cowardly murder fills us with unspeakable horror. Words fail in which to express my sympathy with you in the loss of your husband, and I feel for you intensely.” Dublin was a hushed city on the occasion of Mr O’Higiins’ funeral. Similar scenes have not been witnessed since Michael Collins win buried. All business was suspended and the Courts were closed. The body was taken last night from the Mansion House to St. Andrew’s Church, in the vicinity of which vast crowds gathered early this morning. Many people laboured under intense emotion, while a solemn mass for the dead was eoelebrated. The service was most impressive.

Crowds lined- the route to Gias nevin cemetery, and thousands were marshalled in the procession ready to take their places immediately the coffin was placed on the gun-carriage. It is estimated that half a million people watched the funeral, men and women weeping openly.—(A. and and N.Z.) DRAMATIC INCIDENT. London. July 13. One of the most dramatic and poig. nant incidents since Mr O’Higgins’ death occurred just as the coffin was leaving the Mansion House for -he church A military figure burst into the room and called on those about to screw down the lid of the coffin to stay their hands. Mi’ Healv and Mr Cosgrave had returned for a last look at their old comrade. The lid was unscrewed and the folds drawn from the face. Mr Healy gazed a moment and then leaned forward and gently bestowed a farewell kiss, displaying deen emotion. Mr Healv crossed himself and moved away. Mr Cosgrave and other Ministers nlaced a hand on the brow and passed on. Six black horses drew the gun-carriage, and a mounted guard and firing party with fixed bayonets followed. The streets were thronged to the church.—(A. and N.Z.)