The mortal remains of the lamented Canon Barker were interred in the family vault in the churchyard on Tuesday afternoon, amidst general signs of mourning, and in the presence of a large concourse of people. The remains of the Canon had been conveyed from Doveridge Vicarage, near Derby, where he died, to Irchester Station (per Midland Railway), where they arrived by the 9.5 p.m. train. Canon Hamilton (vicar of Doveridge) and Mr. Elliott Barker accompanied the body, which was enclosed in a beautiful coffin of polished, oak, with brass fittings. On the lid was a raised cross, while the name-plate, which was nearer the foot, bore the following inscription:
JOHN THOMAS BARKER,
Rector of Rushden.
Born December 19, 1826,
Died October 16, 1890.
The corpse and mourners were met at Irchester Station by a hearse and two coaches, and conveyed to Rushden, which was reached about half-past ten. What was mortal of the Canon was then deposited in the north chapel of the church he loved so well, and upon the coffin was placed the sacramental cup and the Canon's stole. Watch was kept during the night by the following gentlemen: Rev. F. Hird, Rev. W. Smith, Mr. G. S. Mason, Mr. J. C. Stevens, Mr. J. E. Smith, and Mr. T. Pashler. The church was open all the morning, and a continual stream of townspeople, of all shades of political and religious opinions, visited the edifice to show their deep respect for the departed. During the morning were deposited, upon the coffin exquisitely-beautiful wreaths and crosses from relatives, friends, and parishioners, including the following.The family wreath and cross; Mrs. Campbell Praed, 39, Norfolk-square, Hyde Park; Mr. and Mrs. H. Sartoris, Weekley; Mrs. Currie; Mr. A. D. Chapman, Milton Ernest Hall, Bedfordshire; Mrs. Robert W. Arkwright and Miss May Arkwright, Knuston Hall; Mr. Herbbert R Arkwright; Mrs Craven; Rev Frank and Mrs. Hird; Rev. W. Smith (curate); Rev. T. P. Richards, formerly curate of Rushden, and now of Stratford-on-Avon; Mr. D. H. Abercrombey Pick, Royal Scots Fusiliers; Mrs. Lemke; Mrs H. A. Macnaghten, Tankersley Rectory, Barnsley; a wreath and cross from Doveridge Rectory; Miss L. J. Macnaghten; "From Hugh"; Miss Frederick Franks, 123, Victoria-street, London; the Churchwardens and Mr. G. H. Skinner; Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Callaway; Mrs. Stevens and family; Mrs. Mason and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Smith; Mrs. G. F. Packwood; Mr. J. Swan (deceased's gardener, and family); and from the teachers and scholars of the National Schools. The funeral arrangements were under the superintendence of Mr. H. J. Russ, of Wellingborough. The service commenced at 2 o'clock, and for some time previous the church was crowded to excess by a sympathising congregation; who followed the solemn service throughout with reverent attention. In the church and churchyard were represented the public officials at the town, and friends from the surrounding district, amongst those we noticed being Mr. Julius Arkwright, Mr. Herbert E. Arkwright, Mr. H. Sartoris (Weekley), Mr. Campbell Praed, Rev. W. J. Tomkins, Mr. W. H. Simpson, Mr. C. Simpson, Dr. Crew (Higham Ferrers), Mr. Wm. Wilkins, Mr. G. Denton, Dr. Owen, Mr. C. Bayes; Mr. S. Knight, sen., Mr. J. W. Ashdowne, Mr J. Cave, Mr. P. Cave, Mr. F. Cave, Mr. A. Cave, Mr. Arthur Cave, Mr. Wm. Claridge, Mr. E. Claridge; Mr. C. Claridge, Mr. F. Knight, Mr. C. L. Bradfield, Mr. Wm. Clark, Mr. Thos. Willmott, Mr. T. Linnitt, Mr. H. Brawn, Mr. H. A. Cooper, Mr. J. A. Weston, Mr. Wm. Colson, Mr. J. T. Colson, Mr. W. Bush, Mr. G. Millar, Mr. H. Knight, Mr. John Sargent, Mr. Chas. Fisher, Mr. C. E. Fisher, Mr. A. Wright, Mr. D. Crick, Mr. J. Jaques, Mr. J. Knight, Mr. Clark, Mr. Henry Sanders, Mr. A. G. C. Vann, Mr. C. G. Cunnington, Mr. C. Parker, Mr. O. Parker, Mr. J. W. Higgins, Mr. W. Spong, Mr. E. B. Randall (Higham Ferrers), Mr. J. S. Clipson, Mr. W. Green, Mr. W. Brightwell, Mr. F. S. Knight, Mr. A. Gadsby, Mr. C. Smart. Mr. C. Lewis, Mr. J. Wyldes, Mr. B. Ladds, Mr. J. Ladds, Mr. D. Dickens, Mr. D. Darnell; Mr. W. H. Darnell, Mr. C. Denton, Mr. C. Bull, Mr. W. D. Knight, Mr. H. Reid, Mr. S. Powell, Mr. C. Hewitt, Mr. G. Sherwood, Mr. T. C. Clark, Mr. B. Mortimer, Mr. G. Bayes; the National Band (whose president Canon Barker had been) was represented by the following members in uniform:Messrs. G. Abbott (sec.), W. Carvell, Q. Whitworth, B. Dickens, H. Willmer, H. E. Hills, H. Bird, W. Bird, J. Abbott, E. Whitworth, E. Percival, S. Hulatt, and S. Randall. The mourners having taken their seats, the clergy and choir proceeded to the west end, where the body lay. The Rev. F. Hird then recited the opening sentences, after which the coffin was carried up the central aisle to the choir, to the solemn strains of Handel's inarch from Saul (Mr. J. E. Smith presiding at the organ), all the congregation standing. Psalm xxxix. was thenchantect to "Turle" (Purcell), and the hymn "Peace, perfect peace," was sung with much depth of feeling. The lesson was then read by the Rev. H. A. Macnaghten, amidst a dead silence. The hymn "On the resurrection morn" (499) A. and M. Was then sung, during which the body was borne to its last resting-place. The Church Council consisting of the churchwardens and sidesmen, the former carrying their wands of office, and eighty the latter bearing the body. The Council consisted of Messrs. E. Butcher and G. H. Skinner, sen., churchwardens; G. S. Mason, J. Claridge, C. H. Callaway, John Lewis, W. Woodward, Q. Fountain, J. C. Stevens, G. H. Skinner, jun., J. Carter, T. Pashler, A. Ginns, and H. Carter, sidesmen. Immediately following the coffin were the mourners, viz.: Mrs. Barker, Miss Barker, Miss Madeline Barker, Mr. Elliott Barker, Mr. Melville Macnaghten (brother-in-law), Mr. Russell Macnaghten (nephew), Mrs. Elliott Macnaghten (sister-in-law), Miss Macnaghten, Mrs. Hamilton, Doveridge (sister-in-law), Canon Lindsay (rector of Kettering), Mr. A. D. Chapman, Milton Ernest (cousin), and Mr. H. Bagnall, Bedford. Then came the choir and the following cergy; Rev. F. Hird, curate-in-charge; Rev. Sir F. L. Robinson, rector of Cranford; Canon Hamilton, vicar of Doveridge; Canon Hull, R.D., vicar of All Saints', Northampton; Rev. L. T. Jones, vicar of All Saints', Wellingborough, representing Archdeacon Lightfoot; Rev. D. Newbolt rector of Souldrop, Beds.; Rev. J. Dun, R.D., vicar of Higham Ferrers; Rev. P. Wrench, curate of Higham; Rev. A. Boodle, rector of Great Addington; Rev. W. Smith, curate of Rushden; Rev. N. P. Young, Tilbrook, Beds.; Rev. H. Dale, rector of Wilby; Rev. C. H. Smith, rector of Yelden; Rev. A. Disney, formerly of Rushden, and now of Stoney Stratford; and Rev. E. S. Baker, rector of Hargrave. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. Canon Hamilton, and the coffin was lowered into the vault, which was hung with ivy and white chrysanthemums, this being the work of Mr. J. Swan, gardener at the Rectory; Mr. Clayton, gardener at Mrs. Currie's; and Mr. Julyan. An enormous crowd assembled at the churchyard, and a severe crush took place to take a last look at all that remained of the beloved Canon Barker.
On behalf of the family, the Rev. F. Hird had control of the whole funeral arrangements, while P.O. Onan and his subordinates preserved order in the churchyard.
Canon Hamilton informed our representative that he was with Canon Barker at the funeral of their common father-in-law, at which Canon Barker was seized with this unfortunate brain affection and it was a strange coincidence that he had never seen him from that time till the Canon came to his house, as it turned out to die. Canon Barker a few days previous to his death conversed with Canon Hamilton relating to Rushden, and his great interest in the parish. During the last week, however, he was unable to hold conversation, and passed away quietly, without any movement, simply ceasing to breathe. The words of the great poet might well be applied to Canon Barker, for
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So Mixed in him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world, 'This was a man'."