The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-12


remains of the late Gen Grant
dawned with clear sky, bright sun and
a cooling breeze. A more beautiful day for
the solemn services which are to mark the
commitment to the tomb OF all that is NOR
tai of him whom the nation mourns could
not be wished for. From the firing of the
sunrise gun, the boom of the minute gun
fred at stated intervals to pay tribute to the
nations dead is heard proclaiming to the
people that the last sad rites are under way,
and before the day closes the hero of the
Union will have been committed to the
tomb
The church bells began tolling, ringing in
mournful candence, and their pealing added
to the general feeling of sorrow and gloom
everywhere displayed Not the history of
the metropolis or of the nation has there
been such universal mourning as on this oc-
casion, nor has there been exhibited such
widespread sympathy for the family of
which the nations hero was the late head
The streets along the route laid out for
the passage of the funeral cortege are
packed with people since early mourning,
many of whom have remained up all night
for the purposs of securing or holding an
advantageous position, from which to view
the solemn pageant, military and civic
bodies marching to the beat of the muffled
drum are moving to and fro hastily taking
up positions in side streets leading 20 Broad
way, and preparing to fall in in their places
at the sign for starting. Every
where is hustle. The crowds are well be-
haved, and police arrangements so perfect
~. ~.
other societies experience but little incon-
venience in going to place assigned them.
The funeral cortege will undoubtedly be
tie grandest and most imposing of its kind
ever witnessed in this or any other city of
the globe. Fully one hundred thousand men
will follow the body to the grave at River
side park.
At precisely l o'clock in the morning theA
gates leading to the vestibule of the City
Hall were closed, and the crowds which had
been pouring in a steady stream of twos
into the YES tibule and passing the catafalque
received a sudden check. The line ceased
moving and therein looked askance at their
neighbors when word was passed by the po-
lice detail to keep those in line in order, that
no more would be admitted. Thousands
plainly expressed their chagrin The lines
at the time extended clear around the park
and for some distance along Broadway and
adjacent streets 1t is estimated fully three
hundred thousand people viewed the remains
of the dead general while lying in state here.
SO hurriedly had they to pass through that
only a mere glance at the calm face was
allowed.
Immediately after the close OF the gates
the plaza was cleared and in a few minutes
the police were in full possession guarding
every approach and allowing no one but the
privileged to come within stones throw of
the building in which the nations dead lay.
The undertaken at once took charge. None
but the police and guards and all night re-
porters were present at the time,
s1Any here who desire to view the re-
mains viii step forward at once,n said the
undertaken, and his voice echoed in the dark
still corridors. All present passed by the
casket and the lying in state of the ex-presi-
dent had ended
Undertaken Merritt then brushed the glass
plates abova III, bocz ar drew from their
places the two lids which cover the casket
and the face of the dead had been closed for
ever from view, unless there shall in the
future come a request to remove the lids
In the final examination of the burial case
tho undertaken found a stain of tobacco
| joice on the velvet coverings With indig-
| nant CALCULATIONS it was removed. Then the
dead was left in care of the guards who
stood erect and silent within the closed iron
gates and beneath the black drapings
| The night wore on and the gray of day
| light was creeping up the east The still
air of the tomb-like corridors became heavy
with the perfume of whitening flowers.
Near the dead huge piece, The Gates
| Ajar.n had place at the head of the cashst
| and the sweet smell of lilies was borne down
10 those who stood and watched A great
.5rse shoe Of red and yellow rose buds added
1s.--is fragrance, and a cross and crown from
Esyor Latrobe, OF Baltimore, sent out its
,ssnta Of heavy perfume that settled on the
srsllc,lral air
t,..t there was tribEts that bore. no fra
GRANGE except such as will come to the fam
| IL Of the dead. It bore no perfume save
| thns which lives in its memories This token
was a plain wreath Of oak leaves pinned to-
gether with stems of oak and forrned in the
shape of a letter G. The oaks Ia the forest
of Mount McGregor had ffuttered III the
moantain breezes while Gen. Grant was dy-
ing, and in the afternoon OF Thursday, the
day he died, little julia, his granddaughter,
and little Josie, Dr. Douglas child, lad
| gathered the oak leaves in the mountain
woods The children prattlsd and knit with
innocent fingers, and loving hearts took ths
wreath of oak leaves that to-day is the only
| tribute that touches the generals casket
The little ones Offering being finished, they
had taken it to Col. Grant, whose eyes dim
med when his daughter said.
Papa, Josie and I have made this for
grandpa, and please won't you give it 70
hiznF'
The colonel placed the oakan wreath On
the casket, then it rested there in Albany.
and still remains Is the childrens, ofzarine.
-Four O'Clock had passed The grey Of
dawn had deeped to red: Daylight was
near, the strains Of dirge music crept cut
On The morning air. AT first distant. they
grew nearer and nearer. The red dim<ned il
the east Sunrise was near. The strains d
j music, slow and sad, grew nnore disfinr1
i Then blue coated veterans of Meade post.
Philndelphis, so strong. came tran1pinz &
IL dirxs music a the trumpets Tht
i eouf wns sulfnssd with tinfl Of H1nss au1
dam wnz closer ~ dawn * ~ fu11s5