The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-06-01
Opening the Great Brooklyn Br,ds,

Opening the Great Brooklyn Bridge.
New York dispatches have copious details
of the ceremonies and display attending the
formal opening of the great bridge spanning
the eat river between New York and
Brooklyn. From the towers OF the great
bridge national flags waved: and the span
across the river was dotted with flags from
one end to the other. From early morning
crowds began to gather at the end where the
speechmaking was to take place. In
the h1rbor flags Few from all ship.
ping. The war vessels Tennessee,
Vandalia, Kearsarge and Yantic lay in
row off Governors island, flying the nation
al colors. The navy yards and all ships
al ,ng the New York and BrooKlyn water
front were decked wi h bunting In New
York business was suspended. Most of,he
exchanges closed at noon and many bust
ness places suspended work for this after
noon. Flags flew from the municipal and
other buildings in the City Hall park, from
business places along Broadway and other
streets. and from many private residences.
Houses along the route OF the procession
were decked with colors.
The Seventh regiment, N. G. S. N. Y,
Col. Emmons Clark commanding. detailed
as military escort for the occasion, as.
n
guard of twenty was detailed to march on
either side of the presidents carriage. The
command marched down Park and Fifth
Avenues to the Fifth Avenue .otel, the
presidents quarters; where it was drawn up
The sidewalks along the 70 lie We're lined
with people. On Madison square it was es-
timated 10. 900 people were gathered.
The president and guests occupied car
riages which were drawn I'D in line on the
south side of the hotel. In the first carriage
sat President Arthur and Mayor Edison, and
huysea and Folger, Postmaster General
Gresham, Secretary Chandler, Attorney
General Brewster, etc. The procession
marched down Fifth Avenue to the City
Hall park, where members of the common
council received the president and cabinet.
The entire line of the procession to tn. city
hall was continuous ovation to President
Arthur and the distinguish men in his train.
Continuing in their route 10 the bridge two
by two, preceded by the military, the t:is-
tinguished party moved slowly over the
bridge, Maj. Jewell seeing that they did not
keep step.
On account of the great crowd, much
difficulty was experienced by the mayors
aud officials in obtaining passage way to
the platform. At the conclusion OF a pray
er by Bishop Littlejohn, J. S. E. Stranahmn.
who presided, successfully introduced the
acting presidents Of the board Of trustees,
who formally presented the bridge to the
people Of New York and Brooklyn, through
their respective mayors, and EACH naie :,
speech OF acceptance. Congressman Hewitt
also made an address and Rev DR.. Storrs
delivered an Grafton. Levy gave, on his
cornet, The Star Spaugled Banner, Hail
Columbia and Yankee Doodle. After the
closing exercises on the bridge the presi
dent and party drove to the house Of Chi.l
Engineer Roeblins i'll Brooklyn and pat
their respects to the great. bur enfeebled Ell
glneer.
After dinner the president, governors and
mayors were driven to the river, and step
ping aboard boat in waiting, steamed out
into midstream, whence they obta ined de.
ligatful view OF the bridge and the towers,
illuminated BY the tall lamps of the United
States Electric Light company. The spec
tacle attracted seemingly even more atlen.
ton than the day display. The exhibition
OF fireworks from to o'clock was tiue.
During the period of the illumination OF
the bridge East river was crowded with
every species of craft, making Necessary the
stoppage OF ferry boats and making terri.
bic crush of people when traffic and travel
was resumed. The people OF both cities,
with tens of thousands from abroad made q
holiiiayf the al iir and seemed to enjoy
it very much.