White House to Capitol

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 81, 10 August 1923, Page 5

White House to Capitol

a.v mposwo fkocession. - ■ * —, —«j Press Association— Copyright, Au»tralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 8.50 a.m.) Washington, August 8. In intense heat, which prostrated scores of soldiers and onlookers, the American Nation this morning paid its last official respects to tho late President Harding, wlwm the remains were borne in solemn procession from White House to the Capitol, along the same route as Harding traversed the aay lie was inaugurated as President. The casket was opened as it' lay at White House to enable Mr Coolidge (President elect), memlpers of the Cabinet, and the Senators to view /the body. Shortly after nine o'clock tne procession started through huge masses of silent people.

The coffin was borne on the same caisson whic n carried the Unknown Soldier, being drawn by six horses, escorted by General Pershing and a cavalry escort.

Flanking the caisson, walked the members of the Cabinet and honorary pall-bearers representing both Houses of Congress.

Immediately following the coffin rode Mrs Harding and the relatives. Then followed Mr Coolidge, Mr Taft, Mr Woodrow Wilson (ex-President), Foreign Ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices, Foreign Ministers, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Governors, various Federal officials, veterans, military organisations, representees of public bodies, etc. Mrs Harding, pale and bent, whs assisted into a closed carriage with the blinds drawn.

Mr Wilson looked old and grey, and suffered from the heat. As the procession got under way, bands played "Onward Christian Soldiers," "Rock of Ages," and "Nearer My God to Thee." It is estimated that 100,000 people thronged the route. Meanwhile, a distinguished gathering waited within the Capitol around the catafalque.