Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-30
ON ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.
Ceremonies In the National Cemetery
Scenes on the Road.

decorative mood today. Earth and sky looked
their brightest and even the muddy Potomac
had a more psllucid appearance than usually
belongs ~ II at this season. The clear but not
overpowering heat OF the suns rays was tenn
pered by breeze that. while il stirred the
dust up on the heavily travelled roads. kept
the leaves Of the fores. and the myriads of
Union flags in pleasing motion. Tho
heavens were an expanse of unrestricted
blue Il was perfect day. Thou
sands OF veterans and n much greater
number of sympathizers turned out to honor
the dead whose proves made such an occasion
possible. II was a cheerful celebration of the
saddest of national holidays.
The point upon which local interest natur-
ally conferred was Arlington. There the assem-
blIge was immense and enthusiastic. Grand
Army badges were on the breasts OF nearly
every adult man within the walls OF the cem-
etery and even the women wore miniature ed!-
tons OF the national colOrs and corps EN- :.
blCms.
CROWDS UNDER THE TREES.
Arlington Was never more popular than it
has been today. As early as o'clock there were
numerous picEic parties on the grounds of the
beautiful estate and before 10 the woods ada
cent 10 the cemetery resounded with the shouts
OF happy children. who roamed over the
grassy slopes and invited vertigo by persistent
occupation of temporary swings. The most
OF these picnic parties were made up of the
families OF veterans-mea who came later,
dusty. thirsty and tired. but more patriotic
than ever. Before noon the shady sward all
through the cemetery and around the mansion
was dotted with groups of waiting men and
women. while the well was inclosed by
a ring of dry-ihroated humanity several
feet decp. Blonde and brunette were about
equally represented. tine Caucasian had no adj
vantage III point of numbers over the Ethio-
pan. Everybody seemed to be in the best of
humor: everyb body was loyal; everything (even
tho old Lee mansion) seemed TO be tinted red.
white ard blue: and everybody seemed TO have
more than sufficient quantity of luncheon.
All the component PARTS necessary to IA great
national holiday and popular festival were
present
on THE ROAD FROM THE BRIDGE.
The southern end OF Aqueduct Bridge was
one mass of men. women and children, dogs,
flags, waSOns-aimost everything under crea-
ton. The spirit of American enter
pi Q was abroad in the land, and
every possible form of rolling machine
hal been hauie0 out from under cover and
decorated with red. white and blue trimmings
thriving trade was driven by the jehus, who
elamorously offered 20 carry passengers to the
cemetery and buck for half dollar. Here and
there voice would come forth from the
riot of Nose ana make the offer TO do the round
trip for forty cents. and there were even some
nigh trans pOrtltiou for quarter. All along the
way the little trees offered cover to Innumerabe
vendors of queer looking lemonade, queer
looking Jumps OF gingerbread, and sticks Of
ancirnt CANDY. These formed a long-drawn.
out oasis extending tor "a mile and a half on
both sides of the road. The only place where
they had not exercised the right of squa;ter-
dom was in the brief stretch OF turnpike that
wound through the level lawns of Fort Myer.
THE ENTRANCE.
At the west gate of the cemetery there was q
great concourse of wagons and carriages. 4
vatchman wearing blue suit with brass but
tons and GAL L. badge had all he could do to
keep the teams out of the grounds. Just
inside OF the gate. a couple of rods up the
road, rope was stretched from
two trees supported by pole in the center
This was lowered when the carriages bear .ng
the orators and other people vino had to do
with the ceremonies came along. The first of
these carriages reached the mansion a lew
minutes before II o'clock. while the procession
was YEARLY tramping along the dusty road
from the bridge.
THE FLOWER COMMITTEE.
A committee OF about fifty ladies' under the
Craftsmanship ~ Mrs. Ferree. had charge OF
the DIVERS and the decoration of the graves
The kitchen of the mansion was utilized as their
headquarters. being almost completely filed
with huge baskets and crates of fine cut flowers
morning progressed and the crowd in the house
grew larger the doorway leading iuto this room
became 10 thrOnged with curious folks that u
guard with grim looking gun had to be
posted there to keep the people out.
Mrs. Ferree was very busy directing the dis
position OF the flowers. By noon all of the
graves IN the main cemetery had been deco
rated, but by some oversight the colored COM
ulI:tees had neglected to make the necessary
arrangements for the decoration of the
graves Of the colOred troops which are located
IN portion of the grounds some distance from
the house, and consequently special commit
tee was hustled of with several large baskets
Of flowers for this region.
SPECIAL TRIBUTES OF FLOWERS.
The President sent quantity of beautiful
cut flowers and floral representation of an
American flag. These were laid on the tomb
The ladies OF the Potomac Relic;
Corps donated magnificent saddle
for the grave of that great cavalry leader
Sheridan. The officers Of the cavalry cUmpa
MES az Fort Myer sent n handsome shield TO.
the tomb of the man whose name is now borne
by the post--Gen. Albert Myer.
Large proportion Of the cut flowers wa.
donated yesterday by the children of the pub
lie schools. while valuable contributions were
received from the Treasury and Botanical Gar
dens and the government propagating gardens
THE TOMB OF SHERIDAN.
The tomb OF sheridan in from. Of tho man
sion. w2s center Of interest. The granite
shaft had been covered b. the drapinss of 1
large American flag and festooned b,
gsr!ands OF green. In front the fla.
and the green were drawn aside I,
reveal the medallion bearing the face O
the great general. The central length of chair
in the guard around the lot had been dropped
IN order to admit the decorators. On the soutl
stood the tribute OF the District Commander,
OF the Loyal Legion, an easel bearing a table
OF white Immortelics. III the center Of which
on n blue ground was a device representing tn
crossed sabers. The grave was "a mass Of ~,
leaves. while a narrow border OF daisies circle,
Il about Mountain laurel was twlned in Ii,
links OF the guard chain
OTuER MONUMENTS
The tall, rough granite shaft that guards III
last resting-piace of the late Gen. VIM. Il
HAGEN WAS most singularly marked A yeIlo,
flag, bearing q great blue cross in the center
WAS draped over the cap. completely GOVERN
1t Tor several feet from the top. The grave wa
spread With n fag, weighted down and almos
hidden with daises and roses. strewn thereo
b. passers.
Immediately north Of the Hazen monumen
In a smaller one erected ~ the memory of tn
late Gen. Gabriel X. Paul. small nationa
banner vas draped about the base an
wreath OF laurels leaned agains
TIE shaft. On tho ground near ia
bas0 beautiful emblem
Of white roses and Gala lilies, with the nam
OF the dead Zero IN blue immortelles In IN
center imnie diately under a brigsdier general