Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-10
The Removal of Fisk's Remains.

The remains of Fisk's body from the
Grand Central Hotel was rather remarkable
proceeding, being from the rear of the build
ing. When the coffin containing the body
was taken from the room to the main corri-
dor, it was accompanied only by William NJ.
Tweed and colored valet of Fisk's. From
the main corridor the passage leading to the
servants entrance on Mercer street was TAX
en-. Mr.. Tweed headed the procession into
this passage, and waited until the porters
had deposited their burden at the head of the
stairs. Tears were tricklng down the only
mourner's cheeks as he assisted them to low
err the coffin to the ground. A short time be-
fore it was removed David Dudley Field and
Jay Gould, who were at the hotel during the
morning, had left and Mr.. Tweed seemed to
have the entire charge of the removal. While
this was passing up stairs, an unpretentious
hearse drove down Eighth avenue to Mercer
street and drew up at the servants door of
the Grand Central Hotel. One or two sta
blemen chatted with the driver, and in
short time two hotel servants apl % ed at the
door with couple Of shovels. Sand was
thrown on the slippery sidewalk, and the
driver of the hearse made ready to receive
his burden.
In few minutes more Col. Fisk's colored
coachman appeared. He carried his late
masters hat III his hand, and military cloak,
which the former wore when he was shot,
| thrown over his arm. Tears glstened in his
| eyes, and the poor fellow looked fearfully at
the hearse and its sombre trappings. The
undertaken hurried down the stairs, followed
by Tweed, still hat in hand. He walked out
on the sidewalk and stood by the hearse.
The two or three louDgers who happened
to be standing on the street stared at him
with undisguised amszement. His eyes were
red with weaping, though he tried to look as
II his only trouble was the proper disposal of
the body in the hearse.
AS soon as it was perceived that the hearse
was in waiting on Mercer street, the board
ers in the hotel crowded to the back windows.
On the lower floor loungers thronged to the
back entrance. The doors were locked,
however. and the curious were fan to con-
tent themselves with staring through tine
windows at the little group outside. Slowly
the coffin was lowered down the narrow
staircase, and as the bearers touched the
sidewalk they rested it on ths stools few
minutes
The coffin was only temporary one of
rosewood, of the plainest description. 1t
was covered with a black velvet pail, which
still shronded it after it was placed in the
hearse.
While the bearers rested, Mr.. Tweed re-
manned standing by the cofsn with his head
stiil uncovered through the keen northeast
blast which swept down the street. He stood
with his back to the hotel, and looked fixedly
at the coffin. The porters soon placed it in
the hearse, and as the driver turned his
horses heads from the door, Mr.. Tweed
looked sadly after it for while, gazed hur-
riedly at the staring groups in the windows,
and quickly entered the hotel by the back
passage through which the coffin had been
brought out. He hurried through the hotel
to Broadway, and thence to the Metropolitan
Hotel.
In the meantime the hearse was driven
slowly through Mercer street. No mourner
save the faithful coachman followed As it
turned down Fourth street a few children,
astonished at the extraordinary spectacle of
the poor, fearful negro following the hearse
alone, looked after him for while, and
shouted, and, unable to resist the temptation,
followed il, too, for a couple of blocks. The
driver turned his horses head up town when
at the corner of Green street, and walked his
horses along the most unfrequented ways to
Colonel Fisk's late residence, Sl3 West 23d
street.
No one who saw the solitary hearse pass
along the streets with its solitary mourner
following it suspected it contained the re-
mains of the once magnificent Fisk. When
the hearse reached the house the coffin was
removed by the servants to the bedroom
where preparations were made to make the
post-mortem examination.