New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-07
IN STATE AT THE CITY HALL.
,nfqJrUDEs LOOK AT GEN. GRANT.
IMPOSING TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONS HERO
rxr.,rrp1NG PROCESSION FOR NINETEEN


uouRs--INCIDENTs OF THE DAY.
r,s estimated that 125, COO people looked on the
<..o of General Grant yesterday. All through the
Jav the crowds pressed into the vestibue OF the
C,tv Hall. where the body lies in state. FROM
a m. when the gates were thrown open ana 'ho
nnbhc admitted, until a. m. when they were ~
last closed for the night there no break IN the
stream of humanity which passed through 'ho
building to catch passing glimpse OF the lace anu
form which has long been so familiar and SO dear
60 +oNew-Yorkers Many In the throng were doubt
less mere curiosity seekers. Others came because
thew wished to say in future years tha'
thew had seen the great soldier whose
mama will fill SO many pages Vi
history. Yet among the thousands was many
frue and honest soul who came to take '''s'
glimpse of the features of the man whose character
and actions have become the precious inheritance Oh
the Nation There were many old veterans VINO hao
served under the great commander, who In the ho"r
of trial had drawn inspiration from his name an"
had followed him to victory. who now stroveir VAN
90 reco rnize in the pale and pinched face and the
emaciated form beneath the glass of the ootiu tho
man who had led the armies of the Union. The oh
;ect npon which they gazed rescmbled little the
Giant of '63 and the passing glimpse that the old
soldiers caught was not one which they Will cher
ish in their memories. The face was OF
an ashy wax-like palor the gray
beard looked sparse aud thin. What was mortal OF
the great soldier seemed to sink almost to nothhg-
ness in the bottom of the coffin. The veterans
shook their heads as they passed, and some spoke
out the wish they had not come.
The open space in front OF the Cl'V
Hall was shut off by ropes on the cast
and ON the west The people ad-
mltted from the south, in double file. On reaching
the top of the steps the lines divided. one passing
TO the right of the coffin and the other to the left
They then passed around the rotunda and out by
the rear door, In the vestibule where the body
law on the steps of the Hall, and in front of the
building were policemen-sergcants. captains ana
subordinates. Superintendent Murray was every
where at once and order successfully preserved
The gates were opened at 8 a. IN. vast crowd
was already in waiting. In fact there was no time
from the closing Of the gates at q. m on Wcdnes-
day when persons were not waiting for the privi-
lege of seeing the dead General. crowd stood IN
the City Hall Park all night and gazed at the front
of the building and the statuesQue figures OF the
guard The formation OF the lines did not begin,
however until about o'clock. For the first hour.
however the ,tream was not uninterrupted as
later in the day.
On each side of the coin stood the guard of honor
consisting of ten members of the U. 5. Grant Post
G. X. The people passed between them and the
coffin Behind the Grand Army men and at the
head and the foot of the coffin was stationed guard
of officers from the 18th Regiment Behind the
officers lines of policemen, At the foot OF the
coffin was placed the floral. offering OF the Loyal
Legion 1t was large pillow of lilies and imTnor-
teles with the words Loyal Legion. New-iork
Commandery. Our Commander" The other flowers
were in the rotunda. clock. marking
the Generals death-hour, and presented by the
Woman's Relief Corps of the Grand Army. was
placed IN the gallery On the ground floor was the
elaborate offering of the Board of Aldermen, con-
ssting of an open scroll with the initials U. ).
G." surmounted by two flags and harp, all Ill red
white and blue immorees.
From a. H. through the day and night. the
people waiting for their turn to look at the body
form ID an enormous crowd Between z a. IN. and
noon the people passed by the coffin at the rate OF
about 100 minute The Grand Army men and
the policemen on guard had their hands full The
people could not be made to move fast
enough or to realize that thousands be-
hind them were waiting for their places.
To each was privileged only monentary glimpse
of the uae face in the coffin. No was allowed
TO stop even for second. At the first indication
of a desire to halt the strong arms OF the guard
were laid upon the offenders shoulder. and If ncces
sary he was literally dragged past the coffin. AS
the men entered the vestibule they uncovered.
Some who forgot this mark of ordinary respect were
brought to their senses by poiceman's voice
sharply commanding Hats off," AS they ap
preached the colin many leaned forward
to get better view. and kept
their eyes so ntently fixed the form
within that they did not see the Grand Army man
who stood at the head until they had run into him
and been turned ia the direction of the exit. Others
entered the vestibulc without seeming to know
where they were, and not few passed passed the
coffin without seeing it at nll. The women showed
a greater disposition to stop than the men. Some
wanted to touch the top OF the coffin. or TO llft mp
their children so that they might get better view
Some persons after leaving the City Hall went to
the rear end of the line and again took their po-
sltions and patiently waited for q second view.
Atl1 a. m. the tribute of the incoming thou'-
and had reached its height. The line then ex-
tended from the City Hall through Ccntr est. to
Chambers through Chambers TO Broadway and up
the great thoroughfare to Worth-st. All occu-
pariOns of life seemed represented, yet the great
majority of people, at least up to p M, were
plainly from other towns and cities There was
the farmer in his best Sunday clothes and his hair
smoothly brushed his wife in her best gown the
son and daughter in thoir bravest attire,
One man carried bundle of cat-tails in his hand {,
which in no wise diminished his look OF solemn awe
as he gazed into the dead face of the hero OF Apo
mattox. He was followed by a commercial trav l.
Ter, samplecase IN hand. A party OF women. all In
mourning, passed in by spscial favor at the base
mrnt door and joined the line. Many groups OF
barefooled boys pressed forward with torn hats IN
hand and by mighty cxertions lifted themselves on
tiptoc to see the face Of him who was the hero OF
stories that had thrilled them. Many people, women
especially found ngress through the police station
by favor of those connected with the various city
departments They were conducted mp the steps
and into the corridors and thence to the line Just