Bayard, Katherine Lee Bayard

Spirit of Democracy, Woodsfield, Ohio, dated January 26, 1886

Wilmington, Del., Jan. 19-The remains of Katherine Lee Bayard were placed in the Bayard family vault in the Old Swede's Church at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, with simple but impressive services of the Episcopal Church. Although it was the desire of the Secretary to have the funeral as quiet as possible.

The quaint old church built in 1698 was crowded when the services began, while perhaps a thousand more heavy silver mountings, had upon the top a silver plate bearing the inscription:

Katherine Lee Bayard

Born, Aug. 18, 1857 Died, Jan 16, 1886

The coffin was covered with beautiful floral designs which accompanied the copy from Washington, and the air was fragrant with the sweet odors that permented every crevice of the queer old church. Across the coffin, which was placed in the main aisle just outside the rail, there streamed a beam of bright light.

The Secretary of State entered the church with Mrs. Mabel Warren, the eldest daughter, and Miss Nellie Bayard followed leaning upon the arm of her brother-in-law, Mrs Warren. Thomas F Bayard, Jr. and Philip T Bayard, the younger sons, entered the church with the family of Dr Kane, Mr Bayard's brother-in-law, and a brother of the late Elisha Kent Kane. The Secretary appeared much moved as he passed the coffin and took a seat near the pulpit.

Soon after there followed a number of gentlemen from Washington, among whom were: Secretaries Whitney and Endicott, Senator Wade Hampton of South Carolina, Private Secretary Lamont, Senator Jackson of Mississippi, Senator Ransom of North Carolina, and Dr Wharton, council for the State Department, Samuel L. M. Barlow of New York was also present. President and Miss Cleveland had intended coming, but at the request of Mr Bayard they stayed in Washington. The prominent persons present were; Gov. Stockley, Secretary of State Causey, Senator Gray, Internal Revenue Collector Causey, Anthony Higgins, Esq., and all the county and city officials.

The Rev. H.B. Martin, D.D., assisted by Rev. Jesse Higgins and the Rev. Charles Breck, D.D., read the simple burial service. The ceremonies in the church consisted of the fifteenth chapter of Corinthians, and prayer. The coffin was then removed to the vault, about one hundred feet from the church.

Senator Gray, George Bates, Henry G Banning, Dr James A. Draper, Victor DuPont and E.R. Cochran acted as pall bearers. Just as the procession left the church the rain ceased falling. The ceremony at the vault occupied ten or twelve minutes, and as the father took a last look at the coffin, his eyes filling as he turned away, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds and enveloped the mournful gathering, which soon dispersed.
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The Year's NECROLOGY

January 17. Miss Katherine Bayard, the eldest daughter of the secretary of state, found dead in her room.

Rock Island daily Argus January 3, 1887.