| Notes |
- Niagara Gazette - 8/29/1898
HERO HAS
HERO'S DUE
.
Funeral of Private Strieker Attended
by An Immense Crowd
of Spectators.
PARADE IMPOSING ONE
Remains of a Member of the Third Regi-
ment Laid to Rest Amid all the Pomp
of a National funeralMany
Canadians Were in
Attendance.
Thousands of people of this city and
many from Niagara Falls, Ont., fol-
lowed the remains of Private william
Frederick Stricker to a hero's grave
yesterday and interred them with mili-
tary honors.
Never have the people of Niagara
Falls done greater honor to one so de-
serving. The soldier hero is entitled
to a nation's gratitudy and the mem-
ory of Private Stricker of company E,
Third Regiment, N.Y. V. I, will ever
live. He did not fall upon the field of
battle, but he sacrificed his youngn life
while performing his duty to his coun-
try in its military.
He was a good soldier and that re-
commendation alone implies all that is
good and true.
When Private Stricker's remains
were lowered in the grave yesterday
afternoon there were many aching
hearts in the vast fgathering of people
who were there to do homage to a
fallen hero.
Wives, mothers, sisters, sweethearts,
fathers and brothers thought of their
own dear ones in camp and many eyes
grew dim with tears when the realiza-
tion of the horros of war was so for-
cibly thrust upon them. It might be
their turn next to lose a near and dear
one.
The Canadians, true loyal fellows,
were there to do honor to the deat.
They followed Company e to the train
when they left the city on Sunday,
May 1, and bid them good speed and a
safe return.
Yesterday they demonstrated how
deep was their love for their American
vousin and how prodoyund their sorrow
for the death of Private Stricker.
They marched in the funeral proces-
sion and joined with the rest in offering
prayers for the safe return of the brave
men who are still in the service of their
country.
The funeral of Private Stricker was
attended by a larger concourse than
has ever before assembled in Niagara
Falls to perform the last sad rites for a
human being, but it was a differentn
crowd than that which followed the
boys to the depot on May 1.
There was sorrow, deep sorrow, on
that occasion, but behind it all was a
glimmer of hope that all would turn out
well and that the boys would return
home with glory and fame.
It was all so sad and sorrowful, the
beautiful service, the devotion of the
people, the mustering out forever of a
soldier who served his country to the
best of his ability and gave his life in
the cause of humanity and freedom.
At the family home at 2:30 o'clock
brief services were said over the re-
mains., The house was filled to the very
doors, and many persons could not get
inside. The Rev. J.H. Asbeck, who
conductred the services, spoke with deep
feeling and his words were full of con-0
dolence to the members of the afflicted
family.
The flowers were beautiful and were
in great abundance. The electricians'
\Union of which deceased was a mem-
ber, presented a large floral pillow on
which was the inscription, "Out
Brother." The floral piece bought by
the comrades of the deceased in Com-
pamy E consisted of a large cross near-
ly six feet in height, made entirely of
roses. On the base of the cross were
the words "Company E, Third N.Y. V.
I." A beautiful piklow from the parents
bore the inscription, "Our Son," and on
the top of the pillow was a white dove,
signifying peace and purity. The Inde-
pend Hose Company, of which de-
ceased was president, gave a large
wreath of handsome flowers. Many
beautiful bouquets were presented by
friends and they were in such profusion
that it required two carriages to con-
vey them to the grace in Oakwood
Cemetery.
From the house the remains wee
takento to the German Zion's Church
where Rev. J. H. Asbeck preacher the
funeral sermon. since the new church
has been erected it has never held such
a gathering as was within its walls
yesterday. The sermon was an excel-0\
lent one and the words of the speaker
sank into every heart. The text of the
sermon was: "Well Done My Good and
Faithful Servant." The music by the
choir was beautiful and very appro-
priate. "It is Well With My Son" was
first sung and next Mrs. George Zeiger
and Miss Sipple rendered a duet, "My
Country 'Tis of Thee."
The funeral procession was a long
one and one of the largest that has ever
been seen in the city. It was headed by
the 142nd Separate Company band drum
corps. The 142nd Company followed in
full uniform but without guns. Next
came the Canadian contingent of fire-
men headed by the Niagfara Falls, Ont.,
brass band. The Canadian fire com-
panies in line were the Rescue Hose
Company, West End Hose Company,
Alert Hose Company and the alert
Hook & Ladder Company. Chief Utz
heading the local fire companies, came
next. Behind him walked the Cataract
Hose Company, Niagara Hose Com-
pany, Rapids Hose Company, Bellevue
Hose Company, Active Hose Company,
Mayle Hose Company, Emerald Hose
Company, Excellsior Hook & Ladder
Company, Flagler Hook & Ladder Com-
pany, Gaskill Hose Company, Rescue
Hook & Ladder Company. Mayor Has-
tings and the members of the Board of
Fire commissioners rode in a carriage
behind the Rescue H.& L. Company
and then same the Independent Hose
Company walking in front of the
hearse. The hearse was decorated
with the American flag beautifully
draped and the casket in which rested
the remains of the young soldier was
also wrapped in the national colors.
Heading the entire procession were
two standard bearers, one carrying
the American flag and the other the
Union Jack. Both glads were draped in
mourning.
A firing squad of eight soldiers in
charge of Corp. Hobler of the 142d Com-
pany walked on either side of the
bearer and in the read of the hearse
walked the six bearers, members of the
Independent Hose Company.
On the march from the house to the
church the 142d band played 'Sweet
Comforter" and from the church to the
cemetery it rendered "O, Come All Ye
Faithful."
The services at the grave were brief,
but they were listed to by hundreds.
The cemetery became so crowded that
the people could not get inside the
gateway.
After the remains had been consigned
to the grace the firing squad, consisting
of Privates W.H. Williamson, Frank
Coe, C. E. Cole, T. J. O'Donnell and I.
N. Cudaback of the 142d Company, Pri-
vate B. W. Miller of Medina, a member
of the Third Regiment, and Harry
Sweet of company E, Third Regiment,
fired three volleys over the grace and
taps were sounded on the bugle.
When the sad notes of the bugle had
died away the crows began to leave
the cemetery. The sadness of the affair
seemed to weight heavily upon the
minds of all and very few words were
spoken as the people walked slowly
away.
They could not help thinking of
what had transpired and wondering
what the future would be for the
grave voys who are still in camp.
The terrible condition by which the
remains of Private Stricker arrived
home has aroused a feeling of indigna-
tion and many were the bitter remarks
heaped upon the authorities for allow-
ing such a condition of affairs to come
about.
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1875 - 1898 (23 years)