Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-10-14
GRANTS TOMB AT RIVERSIDE.
Many Visitors, but No Longer Large Crowds
The Change of Year.
New York Tribune.

Many Visitors, but No Longer Large Crowds
The Change of Year.
New York Tribune.
Riverside park has again resumed some
thing of the tranquility that prevailed a
little more than year ago, before it
became to be known to the world
as the final resting place of General
Grant Many changes have taken place
in the interval but these have been com
pIeted for the present. Little more will
be done about the grounds until the mon
ument is ready to rise up above the Hud-
son and look down over the city to the
5arthoidi statute of liberty in the bay ten
niles below.
The little knoll in the center of the
park, with its group of hemlocks, is now
a bright green. The broad pathway
leading to the tomb has been graded and
smoothed by the park officials, and on
either side of it the grounds has been
covered with a heavy layer of rich mold
and converted into thrifty lawns. With
in the tomb only the end of the steel
coffin with its silver inscription can be
seen from the entrance. Japanese ivy,
maiden-hair fern, and groups of palms
cover the rest with deep green, in warm
contrast with the white enameled walls.
Every week Gupt. WOolsOn, of the
park gardens, visits the tomb and ar
ranges the vines within, picking out
those that have withered. Since the
United States troops were removed from
guard duty last July detail of park pO-
lice 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 detail 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 American
flag is raised on the flagstaff beside the
tomb each day. Many visitors go to the
park, most of them strangers who desire
to visit the place where the body of Gen
grant is lying. On pleasant Sundays the
visitors are more numerous and manly
from the city. Now that Rivers the
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 second street, pausing a
short time before the entrance of the
vault while their occupants alight, and
then pass rouad to the end of the bluff
where on clear fall days there is an unob-
structed view far up the Hudson beyond
the Palisades. Now that the crowds of
vehicles no longer interfere with them
bicycle riders have resumez their outings
on Riverside drive, and at all times in the
afternoon they can be seen gliding swift
iu oil hn
roadways.
The frequent visitors are the members
of Gen. Grants family. Two or three
times a week their carriage makes a visit
with Mrs. Grant, Col. T. D. Grant, and of
ten some old friends of the general. The
carriage always stops in the avenue be-
fore the vault, and usually a little cluster
of flowers is left on the gateway. Every
week florist under the direction of Col
Grant, brings special floral tribute to
place within on the coffin. 1t is said that
Mrs. Grant is becoming moro attached to
riverside park Since 10 hos ;, Ivrr=a v4uietar
and it's 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 height where
the tomb is placed are the remains OF
what was once Bloomingdale road. A
tradition says that Gen. Washington
during his first presidential term while
living in New York made this his favor.
tie 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
his troops.
Several handsome houses have been
built along Riverside avenue during the
year, and great many new buildings
have gone up in Harlem in the streets
approaching the park. Some of the
principal streets opening in the park are
being graded or filed, and it is said that
number of new private houses are to be
built IN Riverside avenve this spring.