Four Hundred At Abel Grant Rites Held Yesterday

Lapwai, Dec. 11. - More than 400 Indians and whites from many parts of central Idaho and from the Colville and Yakima reservations of Washington, the Umatilla reservation in Oregon, and the Coeur d'Alene reservation in northern Idaho, attended funeral services for Abel Grant at the Methodist church at Lapwai this morning at 10 o'clock. The church filled one hour before the rites and more than 200 stood in the drenching rain in the church yard.

Grant, well known Nez Perce Indian, leader in tribal affairs, descendant of Chief Joseph and vice president of the American Indian federation, died Tuesday.

Four ministers took part in the services. The sermon and eulogy were spoken by the Rev. Stephen Reuben, the Rev. Harry Moffett, designated by Grant to officiate in a letter found after his death, the Rev. Starr Maxwell and the Rev. Daniel Scott, who spoke in the language of the Nez Perces. Hymns were sung in English and the Indian language by the church choir, of which Grant was leader during many years he was active in the affairs of the congregation. The choir was composed of Sam Waters, Esther Jackson, Nancy Halfmoon, William Allen and Joseph Blackeagle.

Burial was at the Grant family cemetery a half-mile from a church. The funeral cortege was formed by 90 automobiles. The grave was banked with flowers.