Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-25
THE BIC BRIDGE
rCop,iuu.a from First p.xe.l

After the closing exercises on the bridge
the presidential party drove to the house Of
Chief Engineer Roebling, in Brooklyn, and
paid their respects TO the great but epfeebled
engineer. After the Presidents departure
stream of prominent men pressed into the
house, among whom we're officers OF the
army and navy, clergy and distinguished
visitors from abroad. Alter leaving here
the President and his parry drove to the res
idence of Mayor Low, who gave dinner In
honor of the bridge opening. Alter dinner
the President, governors and mayors were
driven to the river, and, Stepping aboard OF
a boat in waiting, steamed out into mid
stream, whence they obtained delightful
view OF the bridge and towers illuminated
by the tall lamps of the United
States Electric Light Company. The
grand spectacle attracted seemingly even
more stienlion than the day display. The
exhibition of fireworks from to o'clock
vas fine. From $50 TO 1870 o'clock the
President held a reception in the Academy
Of Music. Daring the period of illumination
OF the bridge, East river was crowded with
every spsoiss Of craft. making necessary
the .toppage of ferry DO ats, followed by ter
rible crush OF people when traffic and travel
was resumed. The brilliancy Of the scene
about the bridge tonight was sdded 10 by
foe display from the Tribune office. In adj
dition to the ordinary electric illumination
in the com posiDg-room. which liz always con-
spicuous from Brooklyn, the Tribune tower
was lit up BY half dozen electric lights,
which ornamented the building finely and
was the source Of great admiration.
AT THE BROOKLYN END.
At the Brooklyn side when the time ar
rived for the admission of visitors, 10000
persons were ready TO occupy the ZOO seats
provided. There was q great rush, and the
sttempt 10 secure chairs made things lively.
To those standing on the pathway just be.
yond the pavilion the seated throng inside 1t
presented an amin sted scene. On the right
side sat the President and his Cabinet, Gov.
Cleveland, Mayor Low, Mayor Edison and
others. On the opposite side were the
orators of the day. Hundreds Oh flags,
banners and sscutcheops were in view On The
walls in front of the platform and along the
girders of tn. framework OF the unfinished
car. The platform was gsily decorated. From
that point to the roadway for vehicles below
appeared far distant, nevertheless the people
who thronged it seemed satihed to catch
glimpse of what wss going on above, or 10
guess at it, or TO crafty themselves
with the splendid spectacle by the river
below and the cities on either aide. All
around on the bridge were flags, and the tenn
porary steps approaching the pavilion from
the center of the pathway and the railing
protecting them and the platform we're
swathed in flags and bunting. The houses
close to the bridge, with anything resembling
fat roof, were occupied by spectators and
adorned with flags. The roofs of some
of the larger buildings on Fulton
street were throngsd, seats being
arranged for sight-seerH. The throns
on the bridge was immense. The pathway
for pedestrians, Just before the exercises
we're brgun, was literally packed. Men,
women and children, in all kinds OF attire,
were there. Many of the nen wore ribbons
in their huttonholes The boys carried sma ii
flags, and displayed medals of the bridge
| with streamers. When the salute at Gov
erHor, Island and by the ships of war
was fred announcing the arrival OF the
President and staff, Gov. Cleveland, Mayor
Edsoo, Mayor Low aud others, expectation
grew intense. As the party advanced cheer
| after cheer went up. When the disting uishsd
| company had reached the middle OF the spar
the throng possessing white tickets were ad
mitted. In a short time the pathway hith
erto kept clear was filled.