The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-08-07

AS a matter of record we give below in
chronological order a detailed account of inn
portant and interesting events relating to
General Grants funeral prior TO his burial at
Riverside Park:
Selecting n Burial Place.
Colonel Frederick d.. Grant and his brother
Jesse Grant, accompanied by General Hor-
ace Porter, arrived in New York from Mount
McGregor on the morning of the 9th. The
brothers were dressed in black and wore
broad bands of Grape on their high silk hats.
They proceeded at once to the Fifth Avenue
hotel, where, in the breakfast-roofn, they met
General Sherman and ex-senator Chaffee.
They went presently to General Sherman's
room, where n conference of some length was
held, and the party separated.
Early in the day the New York Park
commissioner met and passed the follow
.lg, a copy of which had been sent to the
mayor:
WHEREAS, The tender of a place of
burial for the remains Of General Grant in
the park has been accepted by the family
upon the assurance that Mrs. Grant will
have the right of interment by his side.
ReSotred, That the right of burial in the
park in the same tomb with General Grant
he. and the same is hereby conceded to and
vested in his widow.
The two Grants went to the City Hall and
called on Mayor Grace.
After inspecting the governors room the
mayor, President Sanger, of the board of al
dermen, and the Grants entered carriages
and were driven to the Fifty-ninth street en-
trance to Central Park. There they We're
joined by the four park commissioner and
by Mr.. Parsons, the superintendent. The
party proceeded to Watch Hill, at the north
west corner of the park, near 1O5th street,
and discussed that point as a possibly suita-
BILE final resting place for the dead general.
Then the Riverside Drive, from 10th TO l22d
street along the Hudson was visited. The
Grants seemed favorably impressed with
that locality. They then rode down to sew
enty-second street and there passed into Cen
trail Park and inspected the Belvedere tower,
which has been suggested for a temporary
tomb.
The Grants left without arriving at a decis
ion about anything. Colonel Grant said he
would confer with his mother before giving
a definite answer. He returned to Mt.
McGregor on the evening train.
Considerable opposition had been made
from all parts of the country against the Sc
lection of Central Park as Il resting place fol
the remains of General Grant. 1t was argued
that the park was a pleasure ground, anC
therefore inappropriate. Some of the deaC
generals intimate friends would nave pre-
ferred to have seen him buried in the ground
of the Soldiers Home at Washington, Will,
others thought thai West Point would be tn,
most appropriate place. But as the family
of General Grant had signified their wish L
have his remains Inferred in the city of New
York., their desires were considered para
mount.
Memorial services in honor of the dead gen
eral were held in many places on the 27th. L
Faneuil hall, Boston, the mayor presided AZ
memorial meeting, and Governor Robinso
and General Devens made addresses. 1t wa
announced that the memorial service in Wes'
minister abbey, London. would be held on tn
ath, consent having been obtained, and tina
the Prince and Princess of Wales and othe
members of the royal family would be pre-.
ent.