Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-24
At Garfield,S Grave.

The Cleveland correspondent of the
Christian Advocate, beautifully des-
cribes the scenes at Garfield's grave, as
follows:
More than two years have passed
since the burial of the martyr President.
and still his grave is the Mecca of many
devoted hearts. Pilgrirages of atfec-
tionate love are daily made by scores
of visitors to the city. who think they
have missed the rarest of Ceveland's
wonderful sights if they fail to look
upon the casket that contains the re-
mains of Garfield.
Despite the inclement weather of the
past few days, the Lake View cars sell
dom made a trip without carrying
some one bent on satisfying q long
treasured curiosity. Overheard snatches
of conversation revealed the fact that
most of these visitors are from a dis
lance, and that many of them have
stopped off day in Cleveland for the
sole purpose of standing for moment
near the grave of the man they loved.
The pail of winter has touched but
/ lightly upon Lake View Cemetery, yet
the surroundings are dreary and unin-
wiling. The recent rains have furrowed
the walks and driveways, and swollen
the cascades and artificial lakes to an
unnatural fullness-dark and murky.
The giant trees with their bare arms,
the cold shafts of granite and marble
on the hill tops seem leaning against
the leaden sky; everything bespeaks the
voiceless silence of the dead. Naught
is heard but the tireless tramp of the
| ha lc RI nd
beat before the beautiful Scofield vault,
the custodian of the sleeping dust.
The loving hands of Mrs. Garfield and
those of other friends made gift to the
dead on Christmas Day of many choice
| floral decorations, SO that the vault is
now specially attractive. Behind the
casket, in the rear of the vault is
magnificent anchor of cut flowers
sweet emblem of the '.hope beyond"
Surrounding the bier on which the
| handsome bronze casket rests is per-
| feet wilderness of flowers arranged in
all conceivable designs. Distance lends
enchantment, and as the visitor stands
outside the wire screen looking into the
somber darkness of the vault, and gives
full play to his feelings, the sight and
experience is one that will repay for
miles of travel, and will not soon be
| forgotten.
All classes of people visit the tomb of
Garfield. Thoughtless, impulsive youth
pauses moment, admires the beauti-
| full flowers and rich casket. and with
Jest and laughter passes on. Manhood
pauses, and with bowed head thinks of
the man inside the casket, now ''glor-
ious angel beyond the stars and of
the qualities that made him great. and
with deep resolve passes on to a bet
ter manhood. Old age with barred brow,
tottering on staff, stands long before
the grated door, peering into the soli-
tude until the eyes are filled with tears,
then with silent prayer passes on in
sobs. The kid-gloved millionaire and
the hard-handed son of toll alike pay
affectionate respect to the departed,
leaving sigh and tear at the door of
his tomb.
The committee having in charge the
erection of suitable monument are
fast maturing their plans. One of the
most commanding knobs in the beau
tiful cemetery by the lake has already
been selected and secured as site for
the memorial. The estimated amount
needed in its construction-S20 600
is well nigh all secured. The artists of
the world are now competing for the
best design. The fulfillment of promi-
SEES seems near at hand.
The sentinel viii continue his cease
less tramp until the nation shall have
builded its sarcophagus on the hill fac
| ing the blue lake that Garfield loved;
then some strong vault, secure from
ghouls and thieves, the casket and Its
precious dust will be deposited, and the
soldiers will return to camp. This con-
summated, then Cleveland will become
Il center of the worlds affectionate
thought; Lake View will be mentioned
in the same breath with Mt. Vernon
and Oak Ridge, and for centuries to
come will be visited by the patriots of
every cline.