New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-03
SUNDAY AT RIVERSIDE PARK.

CROWDS OF RELIC hUNTERs-TRADITIoNs ABOUT
THE CLAREMoNT YIGUREHEAD.
The banks of the Hudson from Seventy
secoudst. to O"e-hundred thrtieth-st dotted
with people yesterday making pigrimages to Riverside
Park. Horses and vehicles filed the drives crowding
aside bicycle riders. who have hitherto had the bread
almost wholly to themselves. Coney Island and
the seaside resorts seemed to have been deprived OF
portion Of their Sunday patronage. From the lower
portion Of the city came throngs Of every nationality
German families, with innumerabo Children picnicked
Oh the bluffs swarthy Italian women, bare headed with
enormous earrings suspended from their ears
and bright-colored handkcrchiefs floating from
their necks, rolled their back.eyed
babies under the broad shade Of the trees shop girls
and clerks sought out the paths leading down the steep
banks where could watch in quiet the steamers and
sail boats the wide expanse of the river. The park
carriages well filed and one-hundreda
ffthst occupied by continuous throng OF people
who up the elevated trains.
Except their eager search after relies the visitors
were quiet and undemonstrstve. Many were satisfied
with pebble or handful OF sand. Chips from the
bricks used In building the tomb were highly valued
An officer had to keep strict watch ON
the glazed white brick used for the interior
to prevent them from being taken away The
Park Board have been obliged to remove the large
wooden figure that stood near the Claremont House
the relic had already begun TO cut pieces from II
and in a few days IL must have been destroyed
curious legend attaches To this old fgurehead. An
resident said that for years when 1t stood over the
porch of the mansion 1t known as Lord Claremont
Another report made 1t the figure OF George
I'LL Commissioner Powers says there Is story that II
was the fgurchead of French gate that stranded
In the Hudson shortly after the Revolutionary War.
friend of General Wick, who is an antquary, recently
confirmed this and identified the head as representa-
ton OF Louis XIV in his coronation robe with the long,
flowing wig and the of st. Louis on his breast
General Sherman drove up to riverside carry Yesterday
morning accompanied by General Lloyd Asp.nwal Cen
era Arson G WcCook General NJ I. McMahon. II was
General chermans first the Park General ASp
wall has known the place from o"yhoou ana ne sau 'h
lie had slept in the Claremon Mansion on several oeea
sons when ii still private country-seat dlstat
of the Revolution made interesting for
General Grants resting place" said General sherman
naturally recalls the forts erected by Washingon's
army these river banks How often the Continental.
or the British have watched or fonght
anoh her ON these shores II Is hope spot win
The work on the vault continued Yesterday de.
lar IN securing the glazed brick which caused
the workmen to hours on Saturday after
noon and this made SUNDAY work necessary. The
glazed bricks imported and quantity OF them which
now to be had in New-York. Park Commissioner Beck
with Chief Engineer kellogg on The grounds
most OF yesterday 1T thought best last night he
said. ito resume work this morning. VIC
want pS1ss night o9Sy not the later tGS s
Thursday. To-day We have discontinued the work on
the grounds but tomorrow morning he il iorse WIZ
Sax hay. been mad. for guarding tn.
tomb after the burihi 0"
1he Park Board yesterday wrote to General Hancock
for thirty days. We shall probably have
reply from him tomorrow: After tha, tho Park De,
partment will take charge OF the vault. and squad OF
six men will watch tho tomb day aud night. The en-
trance will have heavy iron grating. aud within that
strong sw wnging that may be opened II desired.
is the worK proceeding satisfactorily y
"Yes 1t is in every respect The best material Is used
the walls are laid with Portland cement ahd II VIII
harden in a week 10 the consistency OF
stone Mr. Kellogg saying this afternoon that In
month IL will be almost impossible To break the wall
except by blasting. and II support could be placed
without falling apart"
Another heavy thunderstorm visited Caremont In the
afternoon The work continued for some time In
the the thunder grew louder aud the light
ming more the ceased working until the storm
had passed. We had fear AZ the Storm said Fore
man McCann "but thought 1t best 10 be ON the safe
sideD