Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-08-27
From Chautaugua.

/
here in the amphitheatre waiting 70
the session of the &c. L. S. C.. Roun
Table and listening to the rehearsal 0
the grand choir. 1t occurs to me tina
few minutes may be utilized in fulfill
ing partial promise Chautauqua
not favorable place for letter-writing
Ii is true there are multitude of Sub
lects and there is inspiration sutficien
for great epic but time is not super
abundant, and there can scarcely b
said to be sufficient seclusion at leas
not on the present occasion.
But did not propose writing abou
Chautauqua at this time. 1t has recent
ly been my privilege to see that .
which your readers have all heard bu
which perhaps no others saw. / wish
could impart to all my friends at Ian
caster vivid idea of Gen. Grants flu
neral. The occasion, with all the at
fractions of trip TO the metropolis
tempted us to take through train from
Meadyile at 6 A. NJ, Aug 6, by which
we were swiftly carried OIL the Erie rail
road, by magnificent farms, through a
| portion of the northern oil region, and
along the charming scenery of the Della.
ware river, so that 514 miles were
quickly passed, and at IL p. NJ we were
crossing Hudson river and landing up.
on Manhattan Island. On the following
day the Brooklyn bridge, Navy yard and
Greenwood cemetary were visited with
much delight, but | am not now to
chronicle experiences so ordinary, even
though the sights seen challenged in
tense admiration.
In the City Hall lay the body of the
immortal hero, General Grant For
three days and nights an almost con-
slant stream of people filed through the
corridors. eager to catch one more
glimpse perhaps, indeed, the first--of
the great warrior. Guarded by strict
military and police regulations, the
casket could be seen merely an instant,
and then only by falling into double or
guadrupe file and patiently waiting
ones turn. The doors were closed only
from 10 81 A NJ, and at no other time
was the number waiting insignificant
Indeed the dense line sometimes reached
ten blocks, and passed by the bier at
the rate of 100 to 200 FER minute. We
''fell into line" at II A. NJ. and stood
and marched with solemn snail-like
pace till PM. before our perseverance
was rewarded. The casket, rich with
purple plush and silver mountings, was
within canopy of black drapery. The
face of the silent occupant was thin and
white almost beyond recognition The
halls were fanked by guards of solemn
soldiers, and the whole building was so
heavily drapcd az to cast deep gloo m
upon all within. As we were hurried
through the building it was almost a
disappointment, and yet relief to
emerge into the light again.
On Saturday the streets early showed
the immense multitude that had gath
cred from every state to tender their
last token of regard-their presence-at
the funeral of Ulysses s. Grant Your
readers nave probably learned much of
the extensive preparations and unpre-
cedented pageant of that occasion. and
yet | wish that each one could have seen
it for himself Trains and boats had
been crowded for days, notwithstand-
ing the special facilities afforded by the
leading transportation companies
Throughout the long line of march ev-
cry hotel was filled and every window
engaged. Seats erected along Fifth av-
enue readily rented for SIS each. By
taking position in front of the cathe-
dral, corner of Sind street, at 8 A. NJ
Cat which time the street was already
rapidly filing. we secured an excellent
view OF the procession. But we were
obliged to wait patiently till L o'clock
before tho vanguard appeared, and then
stand steadily till 5 P. NJ before the
rear passed. As far as the eye could
reach up and down the spacious Fifth
avenue, and presumably also along the
entire line of march for miles to the
tomb, the street appeared one dense
mass of humanity. Every vacant spot
or point Of view was eagerly occupied.
The tops of lamp pests were pictur-
esquely decorated by boys who had
climbed to those uncomfortable places
of observation AMI hung there with the
tenacity of huge insects endowed with
Yankee curiosity.
Across the street, Vauderbilt's resi-
denee and other large buildings showed
eager faces peerng from many windows
and were even occupied on the roof by
large numbers leaning over dizzy
heights to see as much as possible OF
the funeral pageant. Thousands oil
feeble and tired women stood for hours
in the sutfocating mass that they might
witness the greatest event of their lives.
1t was time to expect profanity and
pickpockets; but patient, reverent spirit
was prevalent and evil was restrained
and hushed The order and forbearance
and even courtesy of that vast throng
were an honor TO our nation. There
were vexatien., delays and few slight
accidents; but patience was amply re-
warded in every case. The number oil
those in line has been variously re-
ported at from 10000 to 100, 900. VIZ
/ can give no estimate of the number OF
/ spectators. The fine uniforms and ever
step of the various military organize
tions. Us they marched twelve abreast
the presence of Generals Sherman anc
/ Sheridan and about ali the leading gen
erals of our army, the multitude o
carriages, two abreast, carrying dis
tinguished personages, Including Pre-
sident Cleveland, Hendricks. Arthur
Hayes. Logan, the Cabinet and Judge
Iof the Supreme Court. and large mum
Der of Senators. Representatives, Cover
/ uors Mayor the bpreayad family m,