davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

broad drives, which will enable visitors to
drive all around tho large grass plot where
the monument will stand aud get full
view of it's every feature. Tho ground is
historic. A hotel which now stands there
was built before the Revolution but it will
undoubtedly have to go when the land
scape gardener gets to work. The monu-
mcnt will probably be very close to the
site the hotel now occupies, short dis
lance above the place chosen for the tenn
make it visible to the passengers on all
City ferries to Yonkcrs.
PREPARING THE TEMPoRAR TOMB.
No time was lost in setting to work to
prepare for tho reception of tho hOnOred re-
mains. Tho New York Park Commissioners
were anxious as anybody to get an early
report of tho selection of o site made by
the family, for there was o great deal of
preparation to be made and very little time
to make it in. before tho ceremony. They
received a telegram about eleven i'll the
forenoon, announcing that tho family had
decided upon the Riverside site. In about
twenty minutes from that time, Mr.. j. Wrey
the temporary vault shown i'll one of the
! accompanying illustrations. In less than
five minutes moro tho Commissioners had
approved the plan and issued acquisitions
for the purchase of tho materials. The
temporary structure is o rectangle twelve
by seven feet internal Dimensions, with
walls ono foot four inches thick and four
teot high to tho springing OF the vault.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22
= SUPPLEMENT.

boats had cut paths across tho river. Tho
drive became moro popular as tho city
became moro pOpulous, and tho aristocrats
used to fill the Golfers of landlords of roOmy
road houses, of which now only ono or two
remain AZ landmarks. Carriages turn into
tho wide driveway ut I'D Street and ascend
gradually to q bluff that commands splendid
Wow Of the river from tho Palisades to Jersey
City. Almost at tho beginning of tho drive
is tho only piece of territory that complies
with tho popular idea of park. Tho slope
to the river IL gradual, and people who want
to get out of tho dust may wander at will in
grassy dells shaded by thick growth of
tino old trees. But near ODD Street this
ceases, and tho descent from tho bluff to the
river becomes abrupt. From this point
nearly to tho place of General Grants
tomb tho edge of tho bluff is skirtcd by
solid stone wall, with openings and steps
at long distances to permit persons to reach
tho river bank beneath. Tho views along
tho drive from start to finish are striking
and picturesque. At intervals along the
road tho park is wido enough to admit of
grass plots on either side of it, some
times mere ribbons of grccnncss separating
tho path for pedestrians, and i'll other
places broad plots laid out with growing
trees. From 12lst Street to 125th Street,
which is substantially the part SGT aside for
General Grants resting place, tho park
widens again, and gradually asccnds to
tho bluff on which tho monument will
stand. The carriageways separate into two
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

death scene, until Tuesday, August 4, when
funeral services would be held at eleven a. M.
train would start for Saratoga at ono o'clock,
reaching there i'll All hour. After n stop Of
thirty minutes the train would push on to
Albany. The body would lie in State at the
Capitol from 4:;O o'clock in tho afternoon
until noon on August s, when it would pro-
coed to New York. 1t would lio in state in
tho Governors Room, in tho City Hall, until
Saturday, August 8, when public services
would be held at tho intrrmcnt in Riverside
Park. Tho offer from tho u. y. Grant Grand
Army Post, Brooklyn, to guard tho body
was also accepted. 1t was decided that the
body should pass, after tho services ut the
cottage, to the charge of guard appointed
by the President such guard to attend it up
to the tmo of ntCrmcnt. General Hancock
was designated for this duty by tho Sccre-
tary of War, and it was given him to make
the body lilo in state ut tho Capitol in AL
bany, was brought about through Secretary
of State Carr, acting not only for Governor
Hill, but i'll his capacity as Commander Of
tho Third Division of tho Grand Army.
Meanwhile military paced tho grounds
surrounding tho cottage at Mount McGregor,
an nw0nt"d spectacle and frightening
the melancholy interest IF an event tho ma
turo of which in itself forbade intrusion, and
rendered tho presence of troops unncccs-
sary. On July 2G they were Joined by men
belonging to tho U. s. Grant Post, No. 1927,
Of Brooklyn. This entire post assumed duty
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

as guard of honor at Albany, on August 4,
returned with tho body to New York on the
5th inst, and had n position in tho funeral
procession of the succeeding Saturday. They
are mentioned specially because their offer
to act AZ guard of honor was the first made
and accepted.
RIVERSIDE PARK DESCRIBED.
On tho morning of July 90, Colonel Grant,
who had been on visit to New York, re-
turned to Mount McGrcg0I and reported 70
his mother what he had done in the way
of inspecting sites suggested as proper for
the burial place of his father. He submitted
to her maps of the several spots visited.
She was not long in agreeing with him that,
all things considered, the Riverside Park
site was preferable to either tho Mall or the
Watch Hill sites in Central Park.
There il no question of tho absolute fitness
Of the site preferred. Tho place on which
the monument to tho memory of Grant will
be erected is situated about ten miles from
the City Hall. 1t commands long reach Of
lovely river view empowered i'll foliage and a
wide cXpansc of mountain scenery. The
smoke of tho busy city il visible in the
distance, but with its roar and n0so as i'll
audible AZ if it were on another planet
Riverside Park il nearly three miles long,
but its average width il less than tiv" hun
drcd feet, and in sOmo places il confined
almost exclusively to the broad carriagc-way
and walk for pedestrians skirting tn" sum
nit of Tho bluff. Early settlers of New York
used to rde out there and admire the beau.
timl scenery long before tho surrounding
hills wore dotted with houses az tho ferry.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

The Generals body still lay on tho bed clad
in the whit" flannel gown and the light APP
parrl that he had last worn. Tho face seem
ed to have filled out somewhat looking moro
AZ i'll familiar portraits of him.
CHOICE OF A BURIAL PLACE.
There is no doubt tho General felt
when the arrangements for taking him to
Mount McGr"G0r were in progress, that he
would not return alive to New York. Shortly
before leaving the metropolis for his last
rcsidonc" on earth h" gave detailed instruc-
tions in regard to his effects. but only to ono
or two of the family, AZ h0 was studious to
avoid the iniliction of pain. On June "A he
gave to Colonel Grant Il slip of paper on
which he had written these words, tho first
intimation of his wish regarding his place of
burial:
There are three places from which wish
IL choice of burial place to be- made:
West POint:-I would prefer this above
others but for the fact that my vito could
not be placed beside mo there.
"GdLcmd, o. some place IN IHinOiS:-Bc-
cause from that State l received my first
Generals commission.
"Ne'o lmk:-Bccauso the people of that
city bcircndcd me in my need"
The day after the Generals death it war
arranged that his remains should rest in New
York. Mayor Grace of that city rendered q
burial site for the body i'll any of its parks
with the provision that Mrs. Grant should
finally rest beside him. On tho Same day d
plan was also devised cading up to tho time
| of mtcrment. TWAS arranged that his body
should !le vt the cottage, in tho room Of the
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

vice was sent on from Denver, Colorado, the
gift of Mrs. Amos Bissell. Three bouquets
of roses and lilies rested beside it. A laurel
wreath lay on the table. Tho vacant willow
porch chair which was lately draped, was
set at the foot of the canopy. The coffin
rested in the middle of the room
where the Generals bed had stood
when he died. There was no drapcry in the
room except the canopy. The Generals
chair, occupied by him during his stay at
Mount McGrcgor, stood in ono corner of
the room.
GENERAL HANcoCK's FIRST ORDER RELATING TO
THE BURIAL.
General Hancock issued his frs: order az
tho General in charge of the funeral cerc-
monies, in tho afternoon of July %. 1t was
as follows:
HEADQUARTERS DIVISION or THE ATLANTIC,
GOVERNORS ISLAND, New York CRY.
July %. 1885.
]. Having been placed by tho President in
charge of the ceremonies connected with the
funeral of eX-President of tho United States,
General Ulysses s. Grant, and in command
of tho escort for the obscquics, military and
civic organizations anu associations intend
ing to participate will, upon promptly report
ing such intention, be assigned positions in
the procession, which will take place in tho
city of New York on Saturday, August B,
1885
II. General John G. Farnswortn,
Acknowledgement of tEo State of New York,
il announced IA aide, will act AZ Chief Mar
shall Of tho obsequies of General Grant at AL
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

The date Of July %, 1880, will always l."
memorable III American annals. On that
day General Grant, tho greatest soldier i'll
the war of the Union and twice President
of the United States, departed this life.
With the fitting accompaniment of unprec"-
dentcd pomp, the nation buried its hero on
August s, 1855, and to-day the myriad fami-
lies of the Union of Commonwealth which
constitute the great republic, read the ac-
count of Grants obsequics with the interest
of those who have buried one of their own
household. For the man whose victorious
arm restored the integrity of the Fedora!
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

". Brcvct Majnr-G"ncral Martin 7. Nc
Mahon, late United States Volunteer Marshal
of the United States for the Southern District
of New York. is announced as aide and is
charged with the conduct of the march Of
civic organizations in column as a body and
for their due dispersion after the ceremonies
are concluded. He will establish an Office
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

lato of the National Guard, State of New
York. is announced az aldo TO tho Major
General commanding during tho obsequies
of General Grant in tho city of New York,
and is instructed to establish an Office in that
city as to the place of which no will mako
public announcement, and is charged with
the preparation of tho routes of march for
the funeral procession from tho City Hall to
the place of interment as to its final disper-
sion as a basis of orders for these purposes.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

compact. was ono Of tho people, Il citizen Of
the nation in which all men are born fire."
and equal; and the memorial of the last
honors paid TO Iii, remains, is consequently
Of that tender and lasting interest which
cannot be felt in countries bcrcaved
Of great man belonging to the Royal or
Aristocratic class. Tho hero mourncd was,
moreover, II simple, straightforward and I'M
ostcntatiOuS man, and his death, Will" sur
rounded by his family, had i'll it u h"mcly
pathos which touches all hearts and ills
all eyes with tears.
DLATH OF L. 5. GRANT.
4 change had como. DR.. Shrady sent for
the family. Til" bed stood III tn" middl" Of
the room. Dr. Douglas drew chair to the
head near the General. Mrs. Grant cam"
in and sat on tho Opposite side. She claspcd
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22
PEACE HAS COME AT LAST.

bany, n. V, in due concert with tho civil
authorities, and is charged with all details of
the ceremonies and care of the remains at
that place" as til" representative of tho
MajorG"ncral commanding during his alb
s"nc" and until his arrival, and il also
charged with the preparation of orders to
meet all contingencies there between the
reception and departure of the remains.
Ill. Brigadicr-Gcncral Lloyd Aspinwall,
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

in New York and announce tho same. All
such organizations desiring to take part will
report directly to these headquarters. send
ing duplicate of the same to General Nc
Mahon, and will state title of same, namo Of
chief officer, and number to parade.
W. s. HANCOCK,
Major-Gencral commanding.
General Hancock also issued an order to
General Shaler, commanding the First Bril-
gade, National Guard, accepting the services
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

gently one of tho white hands in her own.
When the Colonel came in Dr. Douglas gave
up his chair to him. The Colonel began to
stroke his fathers forehead, as was his habit
when attending him. Only tho Colonel and
Mrs. Grant sat. Mrs. Sartoris stood at her
mothers shoulder. DIR. Shrady II little be-
hind. Jesse Grant leaned against the low
headboard tanning tho General. Ulysses
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

hliIS "'ilt tHlFty-SlSht
men of Battery A, Fifth
Artillery, from Cover
nor's Island. Lying in
his coffin tho dead
General presented Il
sight never to be
forgotten by those who
saw it. The electric
lamp under the flag
draped canopy in the
parlor sent during the
early part of the evening
a glow of soft light upon
the body. 1t lay asif III
peaceful sleep. The arms
crossed tho breast in
natural repose. Only
the wasted hands re-
called his pain. . The
face was calm. Itshow-
ed no signs of where
the dread disease crcpt.
There was fullness in
the outline and nothing
of the death pallor.
Tho hair was cOmbcd so
that the gray scarcely
appeared. Bunch"s Of
white wer" in the beard,
but it was trimmed as
of old. The lips were
speaking lips. slightly
parted, yet with no space
between them. Death
had made the faccyoung-
or by ten years. Art
had done much to hide
the attenuation of the
body. 1t was clothed
III broadcloth. Above
the buttons of the
Prince Albert coata gold
stud glistcncd. Besides
this there was Il plain
gold ring on the
little finger of tho left
hand. The stud and the
ring were tho only Jew
elry. White stockings
showed above the tops
of patent leather slip
pcrs. tn" body lay
quite fiat, but the head
was raised slightly by
its pillow of satin, BRING
ing the iaco into fine
relief. Tho room was
fragrant with flowers.
At the head of the can
opy stood u table. A
device in immortcllcs
a pillow with an an
Choir and heart worked
skillfully upon twas
the handsomest and
largest piece. This de-
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

Junior stood Mt tho foot. DIR. Douglas was
behind the Colonel. Tho wives of tho three
SONS were grouped near the foot. Harrison
was i'll the doorway, and tho nurse, Henry
near remote corner. Between them, ut q
window, stood DIR. Sands.
All eyes were intent on the General His
breathing had become soft, though quick A
shade ofpallor crept slowly but perceptibly
over his features. His barred throat quiv-
cred with the quickcned breath. Tho outer
air, gently moving, swaycd the curtains at
white ray from the sun. 1t reached across
the room like Il rod and lighted picture of
Lincoln over the drathbcd. The sun did
not touch the companion picture, which was
of the General. roup of watchers in q
shaded room, with only this quivcring shaft
of pure light, the gaze of all turned on the
pillowcd occupant of the bed, all knowing
that the end had come, and thankful, know
ing it, that no ign of pain attended it-this
was the simple setting of the scene.
The General made no motion. Only the
iluttcring throat, white as his sick robe,
showed that life remained. The lace was
ono of peace. There was no trace of pres
rnt suffering. Tho moments PASSED in
silence. Mrs. Grant still held the Generals
hand. The Colonel still struk"d his brow.
Tho light on tho portrait of Lincoln was
slowly mixing. Presently the General OPEN
ed his eyes all | glanced about him, looking
into the faces of all. Tho glance fingered
as it met the tender gaze of his companion.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

1t has "barrel" roof running the whole
rims of brickwork. Tho floor of the tomb
il about four feet below the ground level
Tho entrance to it is guarded by strong
iron door four feet wide by six feet high
The coffin rests free on two stones or
brick piers. Tho structure took four
teen thousand brick and l7G feet of four
inch tagging stone. The base and corniccs
are of burstonc. Tho site affords ample
facilities for drainage, and, AZ will DO seen
from the picture, provision has been made
for necessary ventilation.
THE HERO IN HIS COFFIN.
Tho body of the dead hero was placed in
tho coffin about dusk on July 90. When this
was done tho double glass top was placed
over tho body and scaled for the night
Then tho lid was laid on and II flag drapcd
over tho lower part. At nine o'clock Cap
tain Johnson, who was in charge of tho Brook
lyn detail, went to the cottage with some
comrades. Tho upper part Of the lid was
removed and tho guard looked upon the
calm face of their charge. The son Of IN
dcrtakrr Merritt announced his readiness
to deliver to tho guard the trust that had
been his, Colonel Grant was summoned
Standing at tho coffin ho addressed Captain
Johnson and his comrades, giving the i'm
mediate care of the body to tho L. S. Grant
Post of Brooklyn. Captain Johnson formally
accepted the charge, and the two comrades
ACCOMPANYING him became thereby tho first
detail ut tho coffin. With tho coffin that eve
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-05-22

\ startled, wavering mo-
ton ut the throat, Il few
quiet gasps, a sigh and
the appearance OF drop
ping into gcnt'o sleep
followed. The eyes of
affection were still upon
him. He lay without a
motion. At that instant
the window curt lin sway
80 back i'll place, shut
tia. nut the - ~.
AT last" said DR..
Shrady, i'll u subducd
whisper.
at is all over" sigh
ed DIR. Douglas.
Mrs. Grant could not
believe it until the Col
oncl, realizing the truth,
kneclcd at tho bedside
clasping his fathers
hand. Then she buried
her face in her hand
krrchi"t. There was not
Il sound in the room, no
subblnG, no unrrstrain-
ed show of grief. The
example set by him who
had gone 80 quietly
kept grief i'll check
ut that moment. Tho
doctors Withdrew. DIR.
Newman, who had en-
tered III response to n
summons just at III" in
stantUfthr passing away
looked into tho calm
face, now beyond suffer
ing and bowed his head.
There was Il brief sill
cncc. Then DIR. New
man led Mrs. Grant to
II lounge, and tho others
of the family sought
their rooms.
The General had not
been dead two minutes
when the sad news
was being tcl"graphed
from Mount McGrcgor,
all over the country.
An undertaken was on
his way from Saratoga
almost "a soon "a tho
family had left the
death chamber, and q
message was sent to tho
Rev. Stephen Merritt,
New York, to go on
to Mount Nc Grcgor
at once to take charge of
the funeral arrange
m"nts. sculptor Go
hardt was Immediately
informed that he might
takn tLn death InuLk
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-24
GRANT,s OLD REGIMENT.
They Listen to an Article Not Before
Made Public.

NEoGA, ILL.,, Sept. 23.-A reunion of the
veterans of Gen. Grants old regiment, the
Twenty-frst Illinois volunteers, began here
last night with primary session, at which
Col. Fred Grant was present and was ac-
corded very hearty reception. In re-
spOnse to requests for speech, the colonel
said: l do not intend to make you speech,
for l have not been trained as public
talller. l have here a document that |
would like to read to you. 1t is the last
line written by father pertaining to the
war, and has never been made public. AS
he entered into the war with you for his
first companions, and as he always spoke of
your regiment with affectionate interest, it
is fitting that you should be the first to hear
his parting words. This is what he wrote
upon 4he pages l hold here:
1 feel that we are on the eve of new era,
when there is to be great harmony between
the federals and the confederates, / cannot
stay to be living witness to the correctness
of this propheSy, but feel within me that it
is to be so. The universally kind feeling ex-
pressed for me at Il time when it was sup
posed each day would prove my last seems to
me the beginning OF my answer: LET US
have peace The expressions of these
kindly feelings were not restricted to q section
of the country nor q division OF the people.
They came from individual citizens OF all
nationalities, from all denominations, the
Protestant, the Catholic and the Jew, and
from the various societies of the land scien-
tifcal, educational, religious or otherwise.
Politics did not enter into the matter at al
I am not egotistical enough to suppose all
this significance should be given this matter
because was the object of it. But the war
between the states was very bloody and
costly one. One side or the other had TO
yield principles they deemed dearer than
life before it could be brought to an end. I
commanded tho whole of the mighty host en-
gagged ON the victorious side, it was no matter
whether deservedly or not, representative of
that side ofthe controversy. 1t is a signifi-
cant and gratifying fact that confederates
should have joined heartily in this sponta-
neous move. I hope the good feeling inaugu-
rated may continue to the end.
A general amen went up from the audi
ence and then the meeting quietly adj
journed.