The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-07
Gen. Grants Tomb

Riverside Park Says tho New York TriJane)
has resumed again something of the tranquility
that prevailed little more than year ago,
before it became known TO the world as the
final rcstingplace Of Gen. Grant. Many
changes have taken place in the interval, but
these have been completed for the present
Little more will be done about the grounds
until the monument itself is ready to rise
above the Hudson and look down over the city
TO the Bartholdi Statue of Liberty in the bay
10 miles below.
The little knoll in the center of the park with
its group of hcmloclss IS now bright green
The broad pathway leading to the tomb has
been graded and smOothed by the park OIL
Gals, and on either side of il the grounds have
been covered with heavy layer of rich mold
and converted into thrifty lawns. Within the
tomb only the end of the steel coffin with its
silver inscription can he seen from the entrance.
japanese ivy. maidenhair fern aud groups of
palms cover the rest with deep green, in warm
contrast with the white enamele1 wall. Every
week sgp't Woolson, Of the park gardens visits
the tomb and arraugcs the vines within, pick
ing out those that have withered. Since the
United states troops We're removed from guard
duty last July detail OF the park police has
been stationed night and day at the vault.
They are relieved twice a day, and one of the
policemen is always stationed at the entrance.
Every morning the officer in charge Of the de-
tail directs the opening of the inner doors of
the vault. IN the evening they are closed
again, the key remaining under the care of the
officer in command Of the detail. An Aneri-
can Tag IL raised on the staff beside the tomb
each day. Many visitors 10 TO the mark most
OF them strangers, who desire 10 visit the place
where the body OF Gen. Grant is lying. On
pleasant Sundays the visitors are more numer-
Gus, and mainly from the city. Now that
Riverside avenue and park have become better
known, they are steadily growing in favor
among New Workers, who find pleasure in
strolling along the high banks overlooking the
river Carriages follow the winding drive up
from Seventy-sccond street, pausing short
time before the entrance of the vault while
their occupants alicht. and then pass around 20
the end Of the bluff, where on clear Fall DAYS
there is IN unobstructed view far up tho Hud-
son beyond the Palisades. Now that clouds of
vehicles no longer interfere with them bicycle
riders have resumed their outings on Riverside
drive, and at all times in the afternoon they
can be seen gliding swiftly and silently along
the smooth, hard rOldways.
The most frequent visitors are the members
of Gen. Grants family. Two or three times
week their carriage makes its visit with Mrs.
Grant, Col. +. ID. Grant and often some old
friend of the General. The carriage always
stops in the avenue before the vault. and usu-
ally little cluster of flowers is left on the gate
way. Every week florist under the direction
of Col. Grant, brings a special floral tribute to
place within on the coffin. liz is said that Mrs.
Grant is becoming more attached to Riverside
Park since it has grown quicter and its beauty
has been developed by the changes that have
been made. Col. Grant was pleased with the
spot and its historic associations from the first
To the east. and below the hight where the tomb
is placed, are the remains of what was once
Bloomingdale road. tradition says that Gen.
Washington during his first Presidential term,
while living in New York, made this his favor
lite drive. Here he could overlook the scene of
severe struggle on the Harlem Commons after
the battle of Long Island, and the sites of the
forts held so long by the Continental troops
along the Hudson.