Special Train Leaves San Francisco Bearing President Harding's Body to Washington, D.C., Aug. 4, 1923

Saddest Transcontinental Trip in Nation’s History Started with Nation Mourning Loss of It’s Chief Executive. . . Special Train Bearing the Remains of the President Met by Hundreds on Route

Aboard Harding Funeral Train, August 4 (AP)—Sorrow in the hearts of the American people over the death of their leader was exemplified by silent groups along railroad sidings as the special train bearing the body of Warren Gamaliel Harding traversed western California and wide reaches of Nevada. With bared heads they stood; sometimes in groups of hundreds, sometimes only a score, and sometimes singly, none too poor, none too rich, none too mighty and none too humble to pay their mark of respect to the memory of the late executive. They were conscious only of showing their sorrow; but to those in the funeral party they typified American people as a whole. The nation mourns as the saddest transcontinental journey its history is being made.

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All Senators Called to Washington Monday

Des Moines, Iowa, August 4 (AP)—Senator Cummings, as presiding officer of the senate, instructed all United States Senators to report in Washington Monday to make preparations for participation in Harding’s funeral and will depart himself tonight.

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Mrs. Harding Rested Well Last Night

Aboard Harding Funeral Train, Hazen, Nevada, August 4 (AP)—Mrs. Harding rested last night as well as could be expected. She retired early to her state room and when the train reached here about 8 o’clock this morning the door was still closed. There had been no occasion to call anyone during the night.

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President Coolidge First Act to Sign Proclamation

Washington, August 4 (AP)—The first official act of Calvin Coolidge as a new executive of the nation was his signature on proclamation announcing the death of President Harding and calling upon the country to observe next Friday, Aug. 10, as a day of mourning and prayer. On that day Harding’s body is to be buried at Marion.

From the front page of The Tri-City Daily Gazette, Leaksville, N.C., Saturday, August 4, 1923. Harding’s home was in Marion, Ohio. “(AP)” in the byline of these stories meant that the stories were written by Associated Press.