Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-06

In rapid walk, now in dog trot, the sturdy
bays drew the wagon down the avenue. Police
men stationed at every corner of interceptIng
streets kept all people off the carriage
way, but allowed them on the sidewalk. The
early crowd which was at the White House gate
when the President passed through, followed at
short distance or kept apace with the wagon.
The crowd was composed mostly Of half-grown
boys. boOtblacks and cOlOred people, with now
and then young woman. There was no cram
ing of necks to see the patient. He was SO
carried that all could look upon him by
looks much better than we expected. was the
general comment. He did not look any worse
to The STAR reporter than he did when being
taken into the house from the depot on the day
Guiteau shot him.
THE PRESIDENTS INTEREST IN THE SCENES
ABOUT HIM.
The President laid on his back. He turned
his head now and then and took view of the
Avenue as he went down and Of the people
walking beside him. There appeared to be a
relieved expression on his face, as if he was
glad to get away. The horses went on steadily,
keeping to the south side of the Avenue. There
were heads in the windows as the wagon passed
on. The crowd just below the Treasury began
to grow larger LabOrers on their way to
the days toll joined in the following. The small
boy began to congregate in numbers. There
was not much of incident on the passage to the
depot. The driver went over the soft sawdust
that had been laid upon the crossings of inter-
secting street railroad tracks. The steady jolt
OF the wagon, the springy motion of the Presi-
dent and the fan Of Col. Rockwell, con-
stantly agitated, were all that there was
about the conveyance. At 11th street the
crowd became larger STILL 1t poured up from
below the Avenue But there was no noise. At
7th street there was nOiseless rush of men and
boys from the market-house. There was where
the crowd gathered the quickest. The 7th street
car track was passed over sawdust and the
wagon went on. One had to walk
fast to keep up with the. lengthy stride of
the horses. Past 7th street there were
further accessiOns to the crowd. About five
hundred people were as close to the car as they
could get.
AT THE TRAIN.
Drs. Barnes and Agnew were in the Presidents
car, and had everything perfected for his recep-
tion Mrs. Garfield. Miss Mole, Mrs. Rockwell,
Miss Rockwell, and Mrs. Garfields two servants,
Mary and Lizzie, were already in the car. Mrs.
Edison stood on the platform in black, waiting tor
the President. Mrs. Rockwelrs handsome gray
hair and Mrs. Garfelds pale face
were close together. The wagon was backed
carefully up to the car The ride from the White
was accomplished without any trouble or any
annoyance to the patient. There was no incon-
venience either from the wagon or in handling
the President. Col. Benedict of Adams Express
company, had charge of the matter of transpor-
tatiOn through the city. Sergeant Guy walked
at the horses heads from the White House to
the depot.
NOCTURNAL SCENES ABOUT THE DEPOT.
During yesterday afternoon and evening there
were many visitors at the depot to see the cars
of which the train was made up, and favored
few were admitted to the presidential car. Out
side the depot the crowds fingered far into the
night. The report gained currency that, not
withstanding the railroad people who were
ordered to the train had gone off with the in
tentiOn of sleeping until 5 o'clock, the Presi-
dent and party would leave between 12 and 1.
Therefore the crowd hung around till after mid
might.
FINISHING THE TRACK.
After the street cars stopped running about
two o'clock, the workmen commenced to lay the
piece of track necessary to connect the new
temporary track on 9th street. with the main
track. Then those about the vicinity of the de-
pot were certain that as soon as it was COM
pleted the President would be brought down,
and the train would start. Very soon there
were over two hundred people gathered about
the work.
About the same time the wOrkmen commenced
to lengthen the track from the north end. and it
was carried toward the northeast corner of 9th
and the avenue. within 25 feet of the curb. This
work was completed shortly before 5 o'clock.
The total length Of the extra track is 9S5 feet.
During the evening the questions of the time
for the train to leave and the details as to the
orders OF the running of the train, &C.. were dis
cussed OF course there were inquiries as to
how an outsider could get on the train and how
news cOnId received thprpfrOm
OF the railroad employees showed little cards. on
which was written: admit to the Presi-
dental Train. 7. N. Ety." it was remarked that
the rules were of cast iron pattern.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ACCIDENT.
The orders were such as to insure safety. and
even had there been a break in the telegram,
wires the train Would have left with thorough,
understanding among those in charge of other
trains SO that absolute safety was assured. Capt.
Matt Server during the evening supplied the
train with chicken (brOiled or tOasted tender
lOin steaks, baked ham, lamb chops, eftongue.
sardines French peas, melons, potatoes, toma-
toes, eggs, appOlinaris water, champagne
claret, whisky. lemons, &c.
PREPARATIONS THIS MORNING.
Between 4 and o'clock the railroad men
commenced to arrive, ,and one of them remarked
that just as he was awakened at his hotel he
was in the midst of dream that he had safely
Mr.. J. X. Sharpe, in charge Of the B. T. P. in.
terests here, and the other officials were busiy
engaged about the depot and the yard.
NIGHT WORK ON THE AVENUE.
At five o'clock men were laying the sawdust
above referred to- over the street railroad tracks
at 18th and 9th and 7th streets. They how.
ever, took time to discuss a fine set out in
Capt Servers restaurant. 1t was novel sight
to see the men with numerous lanterns al
work on the avenue, and still more so to see a
train Of cars across the avenue.
AS THE HOUR OF SIX APPROACHED
numbers of persons gathered about the depot
but were kept back to the pavement by ropes
stretched along the curb by the police, 14(
officers having been stationed about the depot
and along the avenue. There were perhaps coo
to 500 persons about the corner of 9th street and
the Avenue. Lieut.. Weaver, with IL regulars
from the arsenal, reported to assist in moving
the President. The crowd became somewhat
impatient as there was no appearance of the
Presidential party, but at 5:55 o'clock Surgeon
General Barnes and Drs. Agnew and Woodward
arrived, and attention was then turned to the
upper end of the Avenue.
| ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY AT THE