Milford chronicle., 1885-08-14
lions around the casEss the instant they might

tons around the casket the instant they might
do so with propriety. -
the car had been put on q wagon and taken
away, the car itself had gone, the band had
ceased PLAYING, and the multitude without
was left IN cruel anxiety TO know ana 70 see
what was happening within. once tne Work
men left the casket and the Grand army ves-
Grams surrounded it-their commander lean
ing picturesuuely on his sword behind 1t the
sons Of the dead hero took their leave, and al
the others followed, except Mayor Grace and
the Committee Of One Hundred, who went
to the Mayors Office, where General Hancock
Gov. Cornell reported that their duty had
been performed, and that they were grateful
for having been assigned to it. The Mayor
replied that he in turn, was grateful for their
acceptance and excellent performance OF the
task.
At9K the two iron gates ilanking the cen
trail gate were opened. The Thousands OF peo-
Die who had been massed outside Of the police
lines on the plaza were ranged IN double ME
ut the edge Of the plaza opposite the gate and
marshaled across the plaza and straight up
the steps. They separated and passed through
the gateways, at the rate OF loO = minute, one
man or woman going to the night ana one 70
the left Of the catafalque, and leaving the
building BY the north. The first man in was
Lewis b. Bauer, Of Middletown, n. Y.
Policemen stood in single file on either OF
the passageways 10 hurry up those who were
disposed to stay too long to study the elaborate
drapery Of the grand staircase. Each one VINO
passed the catafalque bent over slightly to look
at the face Of the dead hero, and then hurried
on. In the first I've minutes 400 had passed.
and a count made during the first hour showed
that 8, $50 people had passed.
All sorts and conditions of people were in
the passing throng. Two Chinese laundry-
men, wearing futtering shirts OF colored SIX
and embroidered Chinese slippers, stopped 1ar
down over the coffin and looked at the race OF
the General uutl a Grand Army veteran
caught their sleeves and hurried them on
One Of the Cinnamon pressed his handker-
chief to his eyes and went away with bowed
heads. Barefooted newsboys, aged negroes,
and men who hobbled along on crutehes
passed quickly by, and women and girls walked
by in groups. Every man lifted his hat reVer-
emily as he entered the building.
From II to II, by policeman's count, b,lo0
passed through, and between - O'Clock and
o'clock 4,867. One OF the Grand Army on
post estimates that there we're 81, 600 peo-
pie that passed through.
A mother with an infant in her arms and
little girl clinging to her skirts passed through
about half-past 10 o'clock. The little child
cried to be lifted up, and a member OF the
Grand Army caught her by the arms. so that
she could look right into the coffin. She had
the longest view Of any during the night
number Of elevated railroad men passed
through just before / o'clock.
At / O'Clock sharply the doors we're closed
The lids were put back upon the cothni and q
photographer made ready to take picture OF
the interior of the corridor by the electric
light.
All of Wednesday night people loitered IN
the City Hall Park in order that on lhursday
morning they might be first IN me an
through the night the guard kept solemn
watch over their charge.
entrance to the rotunda were thrown open;
Over twelve hundred people had We99eo
themselves against the officers who barred the
channel at the edge Of the fountain clrele.
But when the gates swung open the oIic IT
ceased to hold the people in cheek, ana we
stream began to flow along the channel niaue
for it.
The first person to view the body to-day, was
a little woman who led in each hand llttle
boy. She was anxious her children should see
the Generals face. and they were permitted 10
halt an instant and peer over the slde OF tn9
coffin. 1t was yet early. The ponce rel Ia an
from pushing the very first visitor, ana she d
woman On the other side of the colin me
lire also began with woman-a matronly
dame. The second man on one side was
bright-faced fellow, with lunch package IN
his hand and a pair OF llnemens enIhOeis
slung on his arm. lie was on MS way " MoAN'
Soon came man with the smell Of wood shaw
ings upon him, and in his hand he carried
carpenters saw and other tools wrapped IN his
striped apron. He was a mechanic, and he too
was on his way to his day Of labor. The line
s. arted slowly. In the first minute only elghty-
four persons passed the coffin.
The hour from six to seven O'Clock was
utilized by workingmen and women, boys ana
girls, in viewing the body. After seven O'Clock
the line changed in its character. there were
fewer women and girls. They were all at work
when the line began to lengthen. At eight
o'clock there was another change in the COM
plexion OF the visitors. The laborers had dis
appeared, and the clerks coming down town
were stepping from elevated and surface cars
into the line that was moving then at the rate
of 10 and 100 per minute. At nine O'CLOCK
the crowd was growing so large that It was
necessary to increase the number to l5Q per
minute and still the crowd outside, pushing
its way as rapidly as possible, kept increasing.
It was necessary to remain in line from IN
hour and a half in the forenoon up to three
more in the afternoon, before one could reach
the City Hall.
During this time an average OF $500 people
passed in every hour. On Wednesday night
The number was 81, 900. Thursday night at l.
O'clock when the doors closed this number had
increased to 100, 900, and still crowds had to be
turned away.