Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-08-20
Our Chicago Letter.

dppiicu eAdctiy 10 last SATURDAY While
the patriotic citizens of this city either
marched in the rain or stood on the wet
streets to see the procession go by in
honor OF our dead hero. The funeral
ceremonies all over the laud in honor
of General Grant, demonstrated the
fact that the American people can rise
above party, above politics, above sec.
tional feeling, above everything and
knowledge the life and death of a great
ly good man, by pablo actious in any
kind of weather and any time of the
year. The farmer left his reapsr idle
on the field, the merchant closed his
store room doors. and the laborng MAJ
ceased to toll, in honor of the last day
on earth of u. S. Grants uuentombed
body and the good no has unseltishly
accomplished during his lifetime A
more disageeable day could not be con-
ceived, nevertheless 80 ne 10 900 people
marched for OF hours through the
descending rain. 1t took the procession
one hour and 80 minutes 10 pass one
point. While $4,000 marched, doubtless
1900 gathered on the streets in the
rain, while others crowded every avail
able doorway and window along the
entire line of march. Ii was by all odds
the largest and grandest turnout this
city ever witnessed or shall for years to
come. 1t is estimated that The public
and private decorations in this city cost
100000. Great tall. ten story buildings
were draped with black from the roof
to the sidewalk, which hung in heavy
black plaits and usually in the center
of the designs handsome painting or
engraving of the dead General was art
istically hung and draped The princi-
pal division, of the procession were, first,
police, and civil officers, End m.itia
and regular soldiers, 3fd secret orders,
4th the veterans, including both Union
and Confederate old soldiers. 9th other
societies. In that portion of officers was
a carriage empty and heavily draped,
drawn by six magnificent horses at
tended by six li,ered colored mea, and
upon a handsome charger Immediately
behind rode Carter Harrison the ma, or.
The historical connection of this part of
hn - =
carriage, horses and driver used by Gen.
Grant in the reception rendered him in
this city in 1880, after his return trip
around the world. One of the principal |
feature of the parade was the catafslque
which was mounted on very heavy
low-whceed truck, the wheels being
completely hidden by the wide black
drapery. The height of the structure
was twenty feet and it was nineteen
feet long, it was nearly ten feet at the
base, tapering to six feet at the highes t
point. The receding sides and front and
rear were cushioned. and upholstered, the
draping being drawn at the sides in
wide fan-like folds. The front was a
great MISUNDERSTANDING star Upon the
center OF the sides were two huge
eagles with great outstrstched wings
upon the breast Of which we're shields
bearing the letters ~. S. G." From the
top center of the main structure arose
four upright fluted stats upon which
rested the black canopy surmounted by
the golden crown, topped with rich
wavering plume. From the top of each
staff the corners of which were grace
fully rounded, waved four huge plumes !:
under the canopy was the silver
mounted casket, covered with royal
purple velvet. but which was nearly
hidden by graceful folds of black Upon
the coffin was laid the sword, chapeau,
and uniform OF the general of the army.
Rich, royal palms and mammoth ferns
lined the sides almost to the high of
the casket. In front was broken pill
lar of white roses and carnations, set up
on large flor2l base in the rear mag
niticent pillow of white roses and earn
alton centered with immortelles, in
which were worked the letters.sU S. ca
The catafalque was surrounded by a
guardof honor from the loyal legion. the
Union Veteran club, and members of
the various posts Of the Grand Army of
the Republic.