Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-09-29
The Scene iii Detail.
A GATHERING PAGEANT.

Will the greatest ludb udS paSSeu aIOIlS
this thoroughfare, so rich in historical
association. The city was draped in
mourning. Flags were at half-mast
and bells tolled as the dreary notes of
funeral dirges filled the air. Upon the
houses and at the open windows
swarmed an eager crowd of spectators.
Upon the sidewalks a dense throng
pressed against the ropes employed TO
keep the street clear. AS the hearse
carrying the late president, drawn by
six gray horses, came slowly down the
avenue, followed by glittering pro-
cession of guards of honor, there was
much in the scene to recall inaugural
ton day. The same troops and the
same gaudy uniforms were in line be-
hind the president on the 4th of March.
Then their arms were in position upon
their shoulders, and they marched to
the lively time of martial music. To-day
with arms reversed they slowly tramped
to the wailing measure ola drum. To the
eye, however, the spectacle was bright
one. The sun shOne clear and warm
upon the nodding plumes and flashing
uniforms of a small host of officials,
whose presence and numbers SO sur
passed in size the small funeral section
of the procession as to overshadow al
most entirely its sOmbre character.
The proceedings in the rotunda were
we'll arranged. Twelve hundred tickets
were issued. No one was admitted
without pass. The rotunda, there
fore, was only comfortably filled, and
not crowded. The coffin stood as YES
terday, with the same floral offerings
near it, Ranged around the open
space about the coffin were brown
leather sofas taken from the senate
chamber and the house of representa-
tives. Back of these, in circles reach
ing to the outlying wall. were chairs for
the invited holders of tickets. Mem
bers of the Army of the Cumberland
stood in the open space about the coffin
as guards of honor. There were no
other guards. The absence of the mil
itary guard of honor was in accordance
with the wishes of Mrs. Gar
field. The doors of the rotunda
were not well guarded by the police,
that duty being given up to the senate
and house messengers. The hour of
the ceremony was o'clock. After 2
o'clock people began to come in slowly.
The members of the diplomatic corps
were among the first arrivals. They
were in full uniform, as they were on
the last 4th of March. The principal
legations were represented. The
Chinese, with their yellow hats and red
tassels and purple silk suits, sat by the
side of the Turkish ambassador, con-
spicuous in his red fez and dark blue
uniform, bringing out in strong relief
his swarthy face. At twenty minutes
to 3 there was a movement in the
crowd, and then everyone with one
accord arose. Then came in, arm.in-
arm, the two ex-presidents, Grant and
Hayes. They walked in from the SEN
ate wing Of the capitol directly to seats
placed for them at the foot of the cOf-
fin. Both were dressed in black
Grant looked as stolid as usual, his fa ce
exhibiting no sign. Hayes looked warm
and perspiring. He appeared to be i'll
at ease with Grant, for the latter did
not look at him Or speak to him from
the time they entered until they left
the rotunda. While the crowd was
still standing President Arthur came
in, leaning upon the arm of Secretary
Blaine, preceded by five members o.
the supreme court, Waite, Miller, Har.
Ian, Matthews, and Strong, and follow
ed by the cabinet, with the exception
of Gen. McVeagh, who was confined tc
his house from indisposition. The su
preme court judges sat at the head O
the coffin. Next to them sat Arthur
and the cabinet
ARTHUR
was to-day less nervous and embarras
sed. There was look of pride anC
dignity upon his face as he stood erec
moment before taking his seat. Phys
ically speaking, he is a very handsome
man. Mr.. Blaine is much above tht
average size, but President Arthur, a.
he stood by his side, reached fully hal
a head above him. Mr.. Blaine looked
badly to-day. His face wore the same
CHASTITY look that shaded Matt. Carpen
ter's during the year that preceded hi!
death. All Of the cabinet members
faces showed traces of sorrow and deer
chagrin, but none showed such palliC
look of loss and trouble as that worn b!
Secretary Blaine. Across from tn,
cabinet people were the under secreta
ries at the white house with their fami
lies. Back Of them wer
the house members to tn
number of fifty or sixty, and the arm.
officers. The most prominent amon
the members were Sam Randall, ex
speaker, and Kasson, the probabl,
speaker of the next house, although
Frank Hiscock, Of New York, who sa
near, disputes this claim. Back of tn
cabinet sat the senators. Upon tn
seats reserved for the members of tn
Garfield family sat the wives of tn
members of the cabinet. Mrs. Blain
, sat at one end, with Mrs. Hunt at tn
other. All of the ladies were in dee
mourning. Just behind the coffiI
stood a chorus of twenty -four voice:
selected from the Philharmonic society
! under the leadership of Prof. Antol
! Gloetzener, a pupil of List. As tn
. clock-hands upon the white-d aled cloc
reached 3, Prof. Gloetzener raised hi
: hand and the group sang modestl
! and with thorough harmony: "To Thee
Oh Lord, I Yield My Spirit" from tn
oratorio of Saint Paul" the acousti
; properties of the rotunda are wonder
: full.