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Surnames: RADER
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Ui.2ADI/3079
Message Board Post:
JEFFERSONVILLE, IND., THURSDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 16, 1904
IMPOSING WAS THE FUNERAL
Body of Former Mayor Thomas B. Rader Laid at Rest
CASKET BURIED IN FLOWERS
Hundreds of People Viewed Remains as They Lay in State in Mayor's Room at City Hall
The last sad rites over the remains of former Mayor Thomas B. Rader were solemnized this
afternoon, and the body consigned to the grave in Walnut Ridge Cemetery. The throngs of
people who followed the body to its last resting place returned to the city with
countenances downcast, and in many instances there were tear marks on the faces of strong
men who grieve at the loss of one of Jeffersonville's most honored citizens.
At 9 o'clock this morning, the members of Company No. 9, Uniformed Rank, Knights of
Pythias, assembled at the Jeffersonville armory, and from there marched in a body to the
late home of the deceased. An escort was formed, and the body was taken to the city hall
at 9:30 a.m. It was an imposing sight, as the long line of plumed Knights marched through
Spring street en route to the City Hall led by the K. of P. Drum and Bugle Corps, and
followed by the hearse bearing the remains of the beloved dead. On one side of the hearse
marched Fielding L. Wilson, Charles Antz and W. B. Hassan, and on the other side, O. L.
Chandler, Lee Sylvester and James Applegate, as a special escort to the dead. When the
City Hall was reached the plumed Knights with drawn swords, ranged themselves on either
side of the walk, leading to the City hall door. The casket was removed from the hearse
by the special escort and carried into the Mayor's office, which was draped in
mourning. The Knight's di!
sbanded, and a long line of people filed through one door and out at another, taking the
last look at the man who endeared himself to so many people.
The casket was covered by a floral blanket, an offering of love from the Jeffersonville
Lodge of Elks. Flowers were strewn in profusion everywhere, and the Mayor's office
presented a bower of beauty. The folding doors were thrown wide, and the remains were
exposed to view in the front office, near the folding doors to the right. His shroud was
his full dress K. of P. uniform, and his sword was clasped in his left hand, which lay
across his breast. His plumed helmet was placed by his side. At the head of the casket
was a floral design, which bore the words, formed by flower letters, “Our Captain.” This
design was the offering of Company No. 9, U. R. K. of P., and the simple words expressed a
world of sentences. A monument of flowers of variegated hues occupied a place at the foot
of the casket, and other floral offerings, too numerous to name, the tribute from the many
fraternities of which the deceased was a member, occupied the room. The monument of f!
lowers was from the Indiana Cement Company, of which Mr. Rader was secretary. A white
dove hovered near the casket, and the scene, though sad, was imposing in its grandeur.
The rooms were darkened, and the electric lights were turned on, which added to the
effect. Knights with drawn swords stood at either door, between which the sorrowing
crowds passed on their way to view the body, and also as they passed out. W. W. Cain
stood at the head of the casket with drawn sword, and O. L. Chandler stood at the door.
During the day scores of women passed through the Mayor's room, many of them weeping,
and looked long at the ashen countenance. People from all walks of life were there which
spoke volumes for the popularity of the man.
At 2 o'clock this afternoon the fire bell tolled, and the funeral procession was
formed on Market street, west of the City Hall. Uniformed Rank, No. 9, again formed in
line, and escorted the casket bearing the remains from the Mayor's room to the hearse.
The hearse doors were closed and the long procession began its march to the church.
The formation, as arranged by Chief Marshal Andrews, was as follows: Mounted Police, Drum
and Bugle Corps, Uniformed Rank Knight of Pythias; Hope Lodge Knights of Pythias;
Jefferson Lodge I. O. O. F.; Royal Arcanum; Modern Woodmen; Knights and Ladies of Honor;
Elks; in carriages; United Order Golden Cross, City Officials, in Carriage; pall bears;
hearse; following which came the others in the usual order.
The line of march was as follows: Market to Spring, north on Spring to Maple, east on
Maple to Locust, north on Locust to the church, where the remains were tenderly removed
from the hearse and place in front of the alter.
The funeral address was delivered by the Rev. J. Barney Butler, was strong and impressive.
It was brief, and at its conclusion the remains were again conveyed to the hearse and the
march to the cemetery was begun. The route was north on Locust to Court avenue, west on
Court avenue to Spring street, and north on Spring street to Walnut Ridge.
At the grave side W. W. Cain spoke on the fraternal life of the deceased, and Thomas J.
Brock spoke of his public life. All orders of which the deceased was a member,
participated in the exercises at the grave.
When the sexton had concluded his work, and after the mound had been heaped with flowers,
the funeral procession wended its way back to Spring and Court avenue, where it
disbanded.
The funeral was one of the most imposing ever witnessed in Jeffersonville, and the line of
hacks was more than a mile in length. Fraternal orders from New Albany and Louisville
attended and private conveyances in line were almost innumerable.
The following well known citizens acted as pall bearers:
Honorary-Mayor Abram Schwaninger, Judge James K. Marsh, Henry Nachand, E. M. Lindley, Dr.
O. P. Graham, A. G. Mahaffey, M. Z. Stannard, Ward H. Watson.
Active-Charles Antz, Fielding Wilson, Lee Sylvester, W. B. Hassan, James Applegate, and O.
I. Chandler.