By An Open Grave
The Grandest Funeral Pageant in the History of Missoula
BURIAL OF JOHN R. HIGGINS
The Last Sad Rites Over All That Was Earthly of One of the Garden City’s Most Prominent Citizens.
Special to the Standard.
MISSOULA, March 15. – The funeral of John R. Higgins was one of the largest in the history of the city. Friends from different parts of the state were here and citizens turned out almost en masse. The day was bright and warm, but the streets were very muddy. At 2 o’clock the Masons and United Workmen, commanded by Judge J. L. Sloane, marshal, arrived at the house accompanied by Rev. George Stewart, after which the remains were borne to the street and thence between long files of members of orders to the hearse, while the band played a dirge. The beautiful casket was covered with flowers and was followed by representatives of the orders carrying emblems of mourning. The pall bearers were Hon. Sam Mitchell, S. H. Garrick, G. A. Wolf, J. M. Keith, Robert Rodgers, W. A. Mentrum, W. L. Kennedy and Bert Higgins. A. J. Bradley had charge of the funeral. The procession was formed as follows: Twenty-fifth Infantry Band, playing a dead march; Company “L” National guard of Montana, marching at reverse arms; Missoula Volunteer Fire department with their engine; the hearse, accompanied by pall bearers; Union lodge, No. 3, A. O. U. W., with about forty members; Missoula lodge, No. 3, A. F. and A. M., with about eighty members; 90 carriages and a number of mounted men. The streets to Higgins avenue bridge were crowded with friends and spectators. At the south end of the bridge the men who had been marching took carriages. The cortege proceeded to Higgins’ cemetery, where the remains were lowered into the grave and the beautiful Masonic burial service was conducted, concluding with casting sprays of evergreen upon the casket, after which the company fired three volleys, the bugler sounded “taps” and the remains of one of Missoula’s most popular, generous and kind-hearted men was hidden forever from the view of his family and friends.
Among those who attended from a distance were Hon. E. Beach, of Helena, Hon D. J. Hennessy, of Butte, Frank Conley, Thomas McTague and Emil Hansen, of Deer Lodge.
F. M. McHaffle, formerly manager fo the Western Union telegraph office here, has written from Toronto to a friend that he was going to New York for about ten days, whence he would return to Missoula by way of Salt Lake and Helena.
This forenoon preaching service was held at the Christian church and this evening a union service will be held there, when there will be preaching and offering of the dedicatory prayer. Elder Streator of Helena, who will officiate, said last night that this dedication would be unique from the fact that there would be no appeal for funds.
Judd Francis, Northern Pacific yardmaster, is very ill with pneumonia.