The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-21
Preparing for the Day.

The outlook is that Indianapolis will he
decorated on cornerstone day as never be-
fore. Here and there in the business part
of the city there are are buds of color ready
to burst into full bloom this evening. In
many places large American flags have been
hung ont merely as a hint of the patriotic
bunting that is to follow. The scaffolding
about the monument is already festooned
with starry drapery, while the great cables
that stretch from the corners at the top are
strung with red-white-and-blue pennants
and signal flags. On each street-crossng
leading to the Circle float two large garri-
son flags, and from the top of the scaffoiding
stream out four large silken banners.
The speakers stand. with the pavilion in
in the center. is radiant with color. and the
spider-like legs of the scaffolding are made
graceful and beautiful
The State-hOuse and the State-house
yard make picture well worth seeing.
The Washington-street grass-plat is GOV.
cred with white tents which will hospita-
bly, entertain the visiting militia. while the
east front of the building is artistcally ar
ranged with tents, muSkets and sabers on
the pOrtico On each side of the broad
flight of steps is brass cannon, with the
carriages handsomely wreathed in colors.
The decorating of the federal building will
begin to-day, and that of the court; house
yesterday, will be completed. The Franklin
building and other houses on Circle street
have already decorated. as have also few
business houses on Illinois street. and
patches of patriotism. may be seen on
Meridian and here and there on Washing
ton street. Many will defer their decOra-
tiOns until late this afternoon, and then go
through with rush. The clothing stores
were first in the field, as usual. In many
business houses pictures of battles and
Union generals are displayed in the show
windows. The decorating of the Grand
Opera-house and the Park Theater, the
Bates, New Denison and Grand Hotels will
be beguA this morning, and something
handsome is promised at each place.
Chairman Mckay, of the committee on
decoration, at the meeting of the executive
committee, last night, reported satisfactory
progress and general disposition on the
part of citizens to join in the work. Some
of the latter preferred to wait until to-day
before completing the ornamenting of resi-
dences and business houses, with view or
avoiding unnecessary exposure to possible
decorations of TomIinson Hall, he said, had
been completed, and the committee pro-
posed to add to the decorations at the site
of the monument bunting covering for
the ceilings of the main stands: 1t was re-
would be decorated under the direction of
Colonel Whitconb, for the first time since
the erection of the new building.
Chairman Shower, of the committee on
local transportation, reported that a suf-
ficent number OF horses had been obtained
for marshals in charge of the parade on
Thursday, as well as carriages for invited
guests. Arrangements he said, had also
been made to bring in cannon from the
United States arsenal to-day, and for
presidential salute under the direction of
Captain Rexford, u. s. A, on the arrival of
President Harrison and party. National
salutes will also be fired under the dlrec-
tiOn of Capt. John Geiss. at sunrise to-
morrow and during the progress of the
procession to the site of the monument.
No firing will be permitted along the line
of march.
Capt. Samuel Laing WAS appointed to
take charge of the ushers at the laying of
the cornerstone. and Capt. Horace Mckay
was given charge of them at the campfire
in the evening. The ushers on both occa-
siOns will be designated by an orange
badge. Additional carriages were ordered
for visiting G. A. X. commanders from
other States, at the suggestion of Command
er G.. NJ. Travis. and a special carriage was
ordered for Mrs. Belle lngersoll. Mrs. Let
tie Snyder. Mrs Clara Loucks and Mrs.
Clara Hoskins, of the committee on dscora-
ti0n, who have rendered efficient service in
the work of the committee. Announce
ment was made that tickets for the various
committees would be distributed at the
Office of the monument commissioners this
afternoon. and there will be further gen.
eral meeting of the committees at the same
place this evening.
Orders from the Chief Marshal.
I'M n.