Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
254 LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
the number were the following persons: the
widow, Mrs. Frederick Douglass; sons, Lewis
and Charles; daughter, Mrs. R. D. Sprague; two
granddaughters, Estelle and Hattie Sprague;
grandson, Joseph Douglass; General John
Eaton, ex-Commissioner of Education, representing
the trustee board of Howard University, of
which Mr. Douglass was a member; Prof. George
W Cook, representing the faculty of the same
institution, and Mr. Julius J. Chilcoat, sent as a
representative of the Asbury M. E. Church.
Upon the arrival of the train the pallbearers,
reverently lifting the casket, carried it to the
hearse, the people standing silent with uncovered
heads. The Fifty-fourth Regiment Band leading,
immediately the procession took up its line
of march to the City Hall. This building was
beautifully and elaborately decorated. The portico
was draped with flags and heavy black
bunting. From the ceiling and sides of the
main corridor, where the body was to rest, were
suspended the national colors and emblems of
mourning.
The procession reaching the City Hall, the
casket was placed in position on the catafalque,
the Douglass League standing on the right and
the honorary bearers on the left. Here the body
lay in state from 10 A. M. to 2 p. M., and was
viewed by thousands of people, including many