The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-09-07
THE MONUMENTAL CEREMONIES.

On Thursday Chicago was filled with strang-
ers, it being estimated that NOS less than $50,
900 persons were present, from abroad, TO
witness the ceremony of the laying of the
corner stone of the Douglas monument.
BUSINESS SUSPENDED.
The post office, the custom house, the Unit
ed States depository, all the banks in the
city, the board of trade, and many of the
leading business houses were closed during
the day.
How THE Crowd GOT THERE.
All the streets leading to Cottage Grove
were filed with moving mass of people, on
foot and in carriages !; the street cars were
crowded like bee hives, and the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad ran extra trains of cars with 20
coaches to a train, every 10 minutes, carrying
ing 1000 persons on every train.
THE GROUNDS.
The grounds upon which the monument of
Douglas has been erected and where the Ger
emonies were conducted, are situated about
three miles from the court house in a south
easterly direction. They are near the site
lately occupied by the soldiers camp. This
spot is called Falrview, but it is better known
as Douglas Place. Lake Michigan washes
the margin of the grounds. This is consider
ed one of the most beautiful spots around the
CITY, and, instead of representing fiat and
naked view, the whole nsighborhood is finely
wooded, and the ground hilly and sloping
gradually down to the edge of the lake. 1t
is spot peculiarly fitted for the exercise of
the imposing ceremonies. The citizens of
Chicago, or the visitors from abroad, have
never seen and probably never will again see
such magnificent sight as that presented ON
that occasion. So grand sight we never
saw and never expect to see again.
At the east side of the grounds and facing
the monument, was erected very large Gle.
waited platform, with rows of seats raised one
above the other, and calculated to accommo-
date about 5000 persons. The charge for
the privilege of occupying a seat upon this
platform was fixed at three dollars for each
person, and hundreds who had delayed the
purchase of tickets to this stand until their
arrival at the grounds were disappointed in
not being able to procure seats, and it will
not be an exaggerated statement if we say
that had there been twice the accommodation
provided, not single seat would have re-
manned empty. The Douglas Monument
Fund will receive most liberal additions from
this source of revenue alone.
Between the stand above alluded to and
the monument is situated the grave of the
immortal Douglas. Surrounding the grave
are portions of the fence which was erected
at the time of the interment of the great
statesman. The greater part of the fence has
bsen carried away, from time to time, by Wis
itors to the grave, as mementoes. The fence
was made the foundation for very fine and
ornamental four structure. built arch
wise, and supported upon four columns. each
thirty feet high. ~. sa
Each arch at the top was draped in blaok
cloth, surmounted with evergreens. Fes-
ICONS of flowers, evergreens and United States
flags, urns containing flowers, etc., were hap.
PLY disposed at various portions of the struo-
ture.
Upon a dais draped in mourning and erect
nd immediately over the grave of the illus
trious dead, was placed bust executed in
white marble, of Stephen A. Douglas, whilst