Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-10-19
YORKTOWN.
Grand Opening Of the Centennial
Yesterday.
Inspiring Music and Fine Display
of Bunting.
Salutes Fred in Honor OF Arriving
asss1 Dignitaries. -. a1sg
The Corner-stone Of the Monu-
a. .E5E- tKST
+"2 .a.gz ment Laid
With Imposing Masonic Cere.
monies.

With Imposing Masonic Cere-
monies.
Special dispatch to the Chronicle.
YORKTOWN, October 18.-At IL m.
the vast assenblage was called to
order at the monumental site by Sen
ator John w. Johnson, chairman Of
the Centennial Commission, followed
by prayer by the Rev. Robert Mel
son and music by the band. Gov
ernor Holiday, of Virginia, was in
troduced by Senator Johnson and
delivered the address of welcome,
after which the Masonic icsiceremonies
of the laying. OF the corner
stone of the monument oc>
cured at 1:20 p. m. President Ar
thur, with a number of government
officials, appeared on the grounds
and were received with three cheers
and salute from battery of regular
artillery, The French feet came up
the river at this hour. Secretary
Blaine arrived this morning at
Hampton Roads, and a salute was
fred in his honor.
.,,e BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.
YORKTOWN, October 18.-There
was a slight shower this morning,
and at this hour, 10 a. m., the sky is
cloudy with indications of more rain.
The weather is cooler, however, and
there is a pleasant breeze. Eight
boats arrived between midnight and
| 8 o'clock this morning, bringing
many troops and civilians. Among
the former, were detachments from
Delaware, Michigan, Virginia and
New Hampshire. At 10 o'clock,
salutes were fired from General
Hancock's camp, and it was supposed
the vessel containing the President
was passing.
FoRr MONROE, October 18.-The
steamer City of Catskill, with Secre-
tary Blaine and the French and
German guests, arrived in Hampton
Roads this morning from Washing
ton. The French minister and
guests were transferred to the frigate
Magicienne, which got under way
and, accompanied by her consort,
Dumont Deurville, sailed for York-
town at half past eight. Among the
passengers on the Catskill are Gen.
eral Wyckham, of Virginia, Mayor
Latorbe and Collector Thomas, Of
Baltimore A salute was fired from
the fort in honor Of Secretary
Blaines's arrival The Catskill leaves
for Yorktown at 8 O'clock.
Steamer Excelsior, with the York
town Congressional Commission on
board, arrived this evening and res
ceived salutes from Gen. Hancock {
camp and war vessels in harbor.
Shortly after the Dispatch and Tails
lapoosa hove in sight and were salu>
ted by the camp and gun boats.
President Arthur left the Dispatch
about half past II O'Clock and then
proceeded to Lafayette Hall, where
he was received by the Governor OF
VirginiaaSoz3 =..s ais
The scene on the river front to-
day was. inspiring. Men-of-war,
passenger steamers, tugs and plea
sure, crafts were profusely decked
with flags and streamers. :, Salutes
were constan ly being fired in honor
OF arriving dignitaries, and the air was
filled with the music of numberless
bands. Those with the gay uni
forms of the Templars and the
military and. the great crowds ol
people who gathered to witness the
display contributed to make a scene
of great interest.
At II o'clock Governor Holiday
and his staff, in Lafayette Hall,
which was beautifully decorated
met and welcomed the governors o1
the States and other distinguished
guests 2s'.'z
General Hancock called and paid
his respects, and an interchange o1
pleasant greetings occupied the time
until the arrival of President Arthur
and the French guests. At 1886
the Masonic procession, under the
direction of ex-senator Withers as
marshall, marched into the hall
President Arthur, accompanied by
his secretary and Messrs Lincoln
Hunt and James, was escorted
to the stand amid the cheers
of the crowd. The ceremonies
then opened with prayer by
Rev. DR.. Nelson, grandson of Gov
Nelson, who commanded the Virginia
militia at Yorktown. He thanked
God for the one hundred years oi
blessing vouchsafed this country
also for Washington, for our allies,
and for our victory. He prayed fo1
peace among all nations, and frater.
nal concord among all sections of our
awn country. At the conclusion ol
his prayer, the band played the Star
Spangled Banner" with artillery ae-