| Leominster: Funeral of F. W. Polley
The funeral of the late Frank Warren Polley was held, Sunday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, in the Unitarian church, with appropriate and imposing exercises, conducted according to Masonic customs. The casket containing the body of the deceased, accompanied by relatives and friends, was borne into the church past his comrades and brothers, who stood with uncovered heads to pay solemn homage and respect to the deceased. The church was thronged with Masons occupying the right asile, the A. O. U. W. the center and the G. A. R. the left. The church and pulpit were artistically decorated with ferns, potted plants, evergreen, asters, lilies, and a profusion of other seasonable flowers, while the gorgeous and generous floral offerings fairly surrounded the casket and spoke unmistakably of the esteem of the deceased's friends. The services began with singing "I cannot always trace the way," by a male quartet, composed of Messrs. W. H. Upham, George F. Preveat, George R. Parker and Ernest C. Meekham. Selection from the Scriptures was ten read by the pastor, Rev. Frederick J. Gauld. .... This was followd by a paryer. Past Master Francis W. Tenney, assisted by Chaplain Rev. Arthur E. Harriman, then conducted the solemn Masonic rites. All that was grand, noble and reverential was spoken of the departed brother, and affectionate words of sympathy were expressed for the family. The quartet sang sweetly, "It will not be long." The Masons filed past the coffin and then into their seats again, when a Masonic service was continued. A lamb's skin and 74 springs of evergreen, the former emblematic of purity, the latter of the immortality of the soul, was placed upon the coffin and later buried with him. "Abide with me," by the quartet concluded the services at the church, and the audience filed out. The cortege then marched to the cemetery in this order: Senior Vice Commander Albert Flagg in charge of 76 Grand Army comrades and four Sons of Beterans; 82 brothers of the A. O. U. W. under command of Charles A. Edwards, and Wilder Lodge, A. F. & A. M. 74 members, under command of William A. Lasselle. At the cemetery the remains were ladi in their last resting place by these Masonic pall bearers: Francis H. Shaw, Augustus L. Whitney, Eben F. Pierce, Nahum Harwood, Daniel W. Martin, and Greenleaf L. Swett, and the committal service was conducted by the chaplain, Rev. Arthur E. Harriman. |