Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-09-26
General Grant at San Francisco.

San Francisco, Sept. 20.
The first tap of the bell and the hoisting of
the flag on Merchants Exchange, announcing
the approach of the City of Toxic, startled the
city from the spell of suspense that has pre-
vailed for the last three days, and transformed
the idle throngs that were lounging about the
streets into excited and hurrying crowds.
AT the moment the alarm giving notice of
the approach of the City of Toxic was struck,
the Executive Committee having charge of
the demonstration were in session at the Pal
ace Hotel warmly discussing the question
OF carrying out the programme tomorrow
in case of the steamers arrival in time, or de-
ferring it until Monday. The first stroke of
the bell ended the discussion. II was three
quarters of an hour later than the limit that
had been previously determined, but it was at
once resolved to carry out the demonstration
Immediately. reception committee of five
hastened to the Mail dock and put out sea-
ward on the tug Griffith without delay, to eX-
pedite the movements of the City of Toxic,
while various other committees and guests be-
took themselves to their posts on shipboard
or at the landing. The Griffith stood
well out to sea, aud several miles
outside the Heads met the Toxic com
ing in. The tug drew alongside, and the Ex-
ecutive Committee, Quarantine Officer and
Customs officials, and number of represent
atiyes of the press, boarded. No ceremony
was observed except a general shaking of
hands, and after the committee had announced
the object OF their visit, and informed Gen
er&l Grant of the reception prepared for him,
the conversation became general, as the City
of Toxic continued her course. Soon after
the Government steamer Mcpherson came
alongside and Major General Mcdowell, com
manding the division of the Pacific, accom-
panied by his staff, boarded the Toxic and re-
joined his old comrade in arms.
While this was transpiring the General
Committee of Arrangements, with several
thousand guests, assembled on board the
large side-wheel Pacific mail steamer China
and number Of smaller steamers, while tugs
took squadrons of the San Francisco and Pa
cific Yacht clubs in tow and started down the
channel. In the meantime it seemed as though
the whole population of the city, men, women
and children, had sought positions from
which view of the naval pageant could be
obtained. Every eminence commanding the
channel was black with assembled thou.
sands. Telegraph Hill was a living mass
of human bodies. The heights beyond
Presidio, Clay street hill, Sea-wall street at
the north point, and every pier head were
crowded with spectators. The sun was de.
cltning in the west as the steamers and yachts,
| gay with bunting, moved down the channel.
The impatient crowds that covered the hill
| tops stood WitA straining eyes 10 catch the
| first glimpse of the Toxic. A hundred times
the cry was raised, there she comes" - the
| chance arrivals came in views between the
| Heads. 1t was half-past five o'clock when
| puffs of white smoke from seaward, from of
| the earthWorks, back of and above Fort Point
and the booming of heavy gun announced
| that the steamer was near at hand. Another
and another followed in rapid succession,
Fort Point next joined in the cannonade, fir
ing with both easement and barbette guns, and
the battery at Lime Point added its thunders
to the voice Of welcome. In few moments
| the entrance to the harbor was yelled in
wreaths OF smoke, and as the batteries OF
Angel Island, Black Point and AlcatrssC
opened fire in succession, the whole channel
| was soon shrouded in clouds from their rapid
discharges. For some time the position OF
the approaching ships could not be discerned
but shortly before six O'Clock the outlines OF
the huge hull Of the City Of Toxic doomed
through the obscurity of smoke and rapidly
approaching shades OF evening, lit up by
| flashes Of guns, and in few moments SHIT
glided into full view, surrounded By fleet Of
steamers and tugs, gay with flags and crowded
| with guests, Whle the yacht squadron brought
up the rear, festOoned from deck 10 trucl
with brilliant bunting, Cheer after chee
burst from the assembled thousands as til,
| vessels slowly rounded Telegraph Hill, ant
! taken up by the crowds on the whaTves, rolled
around the city front. Hats and handkerchief
4 were waved in the air, the United State
steamer Monterey lying in the stream adde,
the roar OF her guns TO the general welcome
and the screaming of hundreds Of steam
whistles announced that the City of Toki,
had reached her anchorage.
| General Hrant and his party on the Toxic
together with the Reception Committee, Gen
eral Mcdowell and staff and others, wer
transferred to the ferry-steamer Oakland. !
considerable delay occurred, during whicl
the crowd outside eheered and shouted them
selves hoarse, and It seemed at times a
though in their impatience they would brosl
through the lines and invade the dock el
ndSSe.
Darkness had fallen, and It was twent,
minutes past seven when the lights OF TIL
ferry-bOat were seen approaching the shin
She moved slowly into position, the platform
was lowered, and the band struck up HON
Again" and amid roarsof applause from tn
waiting crowd outside, who realized that tn
moment had arrived, General Grant steppe,
once more ufon the shore of his native land
As he came up the gangway, escorted by th
Reception Committee, he was met b