River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-09-06
GRAND DEMONSTRATION.
The Celebration at st. Paul of the Open
ing of the Northern Pa
citic Railroad.
Presence Of General Grant, President
Arthur. General Sheridan, and
Host Of Eminent CHESTS.

a Host OF Eminent dneStS.
On Saturday and Sunday last, the three
sections of President Wizards grand excur-
sion party across the continent, arrived at
St Paul, aud wege quickly transferred TO
the mammoth Hotel Lafayette, at Lake MIN
netonka, where most of them remained I'M
til Monday, the day flied for the great cele-
braiion at St. Paul, which had been prepar
ing for some days.
ST. PAUL IN FULL DRESS.
More magnificent decorations never
graeed eitys thoroughfaIes. Never, with
in the same space. has there been more
lavish Use OF eolors and flowers in more
decoration OF streets and buildings. Every
one WED with his neighbof in the effort to
make known his hearty Welcome to the
oity's guests, and his appreciation OF the
great event by means of tokens of festivity.
The result was that the decorations were
too profnse to be specified, and too beauti-
fnl for minute description. Indeed, to
specify the individual ! decorators aud their
efforts would be to publish the e2-
tire city directory with end
less profnsion Of decorative material sand
wiched in. Probably every business man
in town is to be credited with his mite OF
display--and some even decorated their
dogs, so hot was the fever OF generous emu
lation and rivalry.
THE GENERAL EFFECT.
The general appearance of the principal
streets was like path way within dense
forest of colcrs Third street, especially,
because or its nafrowness and the height OF
the buildings decorated to their very top.
seemed fairly arched with bunting its entire
length; for ii was an alb
lines on either side, and
the banners struck across the street seemed
to shut out the sky The wholesale dis
trict whether on Third, Sibley, Fourth,
Fifth or Wacouta, presented marvellous
brilliancy, every building being draped and
festooned to the very limit of its frontage.
Jackson, Robert, Ceda,, Minnesota, Waba-
sha, st. Peter and Seventh streets were
maze of flags and appropriate decorations,
a d every residence neighborhood had its
quota of patriotism who decorated right
royalty. 1t was common comment
among visitors that 'never was city more
beautiful
To the greatness of the display was add
ed the factor OF great people and great
crowds. Gathered in st. Paul were more
notables, speaking with cosmoDo Titan
view, than ia any city in the world. To
see and do them honor were 100000 human
entities, all enthusiastic, all delighted, and
better still-al pleased with ca Cd other
as we'll as themselves. Even the policemen
forget to be dictatorial, and it is oredibly sta
ted that a hack driver said "Thank you"
Looking up or down Third street from the
Pioneer Press building, the scene was
striking, beautiful and a memorable one.
Above the oriental arch reared its blaze of
bright color and seemed a gateway to great
er grandeurs beyond. Down, streamers,
banners, notices, eyergreens, flags, every
conceivable article OF adOrnment swayed
to and fro in the cool wind, or stood out in
picturesque shapes and brightest tints.
When from curb to curb the street was
packed with moving men and profuseiy
decorated yehicles-the sidewalks had been
filed with people from early nOrning--the
whole effect was simply indescribable.
What was true of Third street was to the
full as much so of Wabasha, Jackson, Sew
enth, Fourth, Fifth, Sibley, Wacouta and
Broadway, in the business portion, and In
smaller way of every street within the
amphitheater of hills. Clear out on st. An
thony hill were waving flags and glittering
decorations. In short, ST. Paul put on
such gala garb as she has never even asPlred
10 before, and will not wear again for years
Perhaps better idea OF the affair can be
obtained by the statement that the process
sionsl pagentry reached over ten miles OF
streets.
The whole party arrived from Lake Min
netonLa at nine ia the morning, nd the
people were not titled by the booming otGan-
non on Capitol square and the blowing OF
whistles in the harbor thai the celebration
proper had begun. President Willard, Mrs.
Willard, Gen. Grant and Mayor o'Brien
were seated in the first carriage. La
| the second carriage were Gen. and Nine.
Won Zvlander, Miss Willard and
| Col Won Zylander In the third carriage
were Hon. William NJ. Eyarts Hon. II M.
| Telle., Master Harold aud Oswald Willard.
Hon l. SanByille West British minister,
Miss West and companion occupied the
| fourth carrisge, and Baron Won Erendech-
er, Count Lippe Winsfield, occupied the
| fifth carriage. Other guests were dlstrlb-
| uteG as follows Count de Bildi charge
| d'atfaires of Sweden and Norway; August
| Feigel German consul general, New York;
| Odmar Won Mohi, German consul, Clncln-
natl, Ohio; German quests in fifteen car
| riaRes; English guests in ten carriagei; gov
erAors, United States senators and
| representatives in seven carriages; officers of
| the Uaited States army IN five carriages;
| government officials from Washington in
| four carriages mayors OF other cities III two
l CARRIAGES Presidents OF bOaru OF tfhue duu
| chamber OF commesce in two carriages; ui-
rectors aud officers of the Northern Pacific
and other railroad corporations in six car
| riaees; members ofthe press in ten carriages.
| The guests were escorted to Rice Park by
| Gen Sa born chief marshal and aides at
| the head. Following these csme platoon
| of thirty two police under sergeants Walsh
| and Morgan. Then came hundred lads
| In fantastic uniform, mounted as special
l M En ham
of twenty-five pieces; the Ames Zouaves,
who were warmly applauded; battalion
| of the Twenty fifth United States (colored)
| infantry, two hundred strong, con-
manded by Col. Gaines Lawson, an officer
| ieservedly popular. These troops were
generally remarked for their PR fcieucy
aud suldierly bearing Battery T. Fourth
| United States artillery followed, ninety
strong with f0nr guns, commanded by Maj
| H. g. Smith Twenty-Five Sioux Indians
| in war paint, accompanied by squaws car
| ryiDg papooses, brought mp the rear OF This
| section OF the parade, and were received
everywhere with warm applause and amused
| expressions. The Great Union band, play
| ing spIendidly, came gaiiy down the street
and received the plaudits of the crowd.
| Then the First regiment, led by Col. Bend,
| rarching superbly, and the Emmett Light
| Artillery. The q. A r. and other war vet
| Grams, fifty strong, brought mp the rear OF
| the First division, and received the warmest
recognition.
| Passing under the grand triumphal arch,
corner Third and Cedar streets President
Willard, surprised and pleased beyond mea-
sure Mt the enthusiasm everywhere mani
| tested raised his hat in knowledamenf,
| just as q shower Of roses, tossed by score
OF maidens, representing St. Paal and Port
| land respectively, fell upon his barred head
| and into the carriage, and were scattered
over Gen. GRANT. who smiled kis eeknow-
Judgements and npon Mrs. Willard, who
bowed and smiled and looked the pride she
could not speak.
AS the remaining guests passed under the
arch in turn flowers were rained upon
them, and it was noticed that the elder
gentlemen were the most gallant in their
Acknowledgements, raising their hsnds aud
throwing kisses TO the fair nymphs. inst
west of the triumphal arch two long plat
forms were constructed, and these were
crowded with children dressed in white,
who provided with bouquets awaited the
arrival OF the grand procession.
Eight Men and Two Hundred
women.