Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1881-09-15
THE PRESIDENTS REMOVAL
TO LONG BRANCH

All the arrangements for remov-
ing the President was carried out
without q single hitch. At 10 p. m.
Monday the house was closed, and
orders given that no one be admit
ted within the gates. But few lights
could be seen within the house, and
the large gaslights at the door lit
up a deserted scene. All through
the silent watches of the night there
was hardly a stir. Now and then a
solitary policeman passed up the
walk orappeared on the portico; but
all else was silent and still as
death. There was no further move
until nearly d~aybreak, when the
horses that we're to draw the ex-
press wagon were driven III. Short
" after the Presidents private car
riage, the Office carriage, Mrs. Col.
Rockwell's and Private Secretary
Browns drove through the gates.
The carriages were collected in a
dark group in front of the portico,
and in the dim light figures could
be seen moving about. People be-
gan to collect about the gates, and
the crowd was slowly increased.
The dining-rooln was lighted up and
the family and attendants sat down
to an early breakfast. The day
was slowly breaking, and the gas
lights about the porch began to
pale, the dark mass of carriages be-
gan to assume shape, the attaches
of the White House could be seen
looking out. of the upper windows
and a group of men stood on the
porch. The scene was weired and
shadowy, and the effect was inten-
sifed by the silence. Presently DR..
Bliss, in his shirt sleeves, appeared
at one of the upper windows and
called out for the wagon to be
backed in place. This was done.
Then the large front doors were
thrown open. In the silence that
was almost oppressive those at the
White House and those near the
fence waited for the appearance of
the sufferer. The quiet of the early
morning, the silent, expectant
throng, and the hush that every
where prevailed gave almost IL fun
eral aspect to the scene, which was
heightened when suddenly the
group about the door parted and
slowly and gently the President was
borne out by his attendants. AS he
was borne out of the door he opened
his eyes and looked around. Those
that saw him for the first time
could hardly restrain the effect
which the shock of the great change
in Isis appearance. produced. The
President lay upon a wooden frame
with handles upon each side. His
head was bolstered up and lay
turned toward the left. The right
side was entirely concealed by the
white bandages upon the gland.
Around his temples were placed
cold water badgages to keep his
head cool. The white bandages
brought out the deadly pa!lor of the
countenance and the skin drawn
tightly over the bones. Above the
lofty forehead vas conspicuous in
it's waxy whiteness, and the entire
expression of the face was so chau-
ged that it was painful to look up
on. As he was borne to the wagon
he loo ked up to the windows and
recognize ed some of the employees OF
the house. He feeb1y raised one
hand and waved it. Those that Saw
his face and witnessed the kindly
recognition we're affected to tears.
He was soon placed in the wagon.
The attendants that carried him
down got in and sat on each side OF
the couch. Everything was soon IN
readiness and the horses started
slowly down the roadway. The po-
lice arrangements were excellent,
and the streets were free from all
vehicles. There was no noise or
confusion, and hardly a sound was
heard. The President most Of the
way down lay with his eyes shut,
but opened them occasionally. There
were small groups of spectators
gathered, but they did not attempt
to press near the wagon. The busy
tide of travel toward the market
was stopped. The train had been
run directly across the avenue, and
when the wagon arrived it was
backed directly up to the baggage
door in the side of the car, and the
patient was speedily transferred.
A PANEL was taken out of the car
and the transfer made without a
particle ofjar OF pain to the dis
tinguished sufferer.