The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-01

about . O'Clock the school children began
tf arrive.
There were thousands OF people on the
square when the boys and girls began
marching In and out OF the building. and
when they at last finished passing through
the rotunda, the real crush began.
Captain Frank w. Cunningham, officer
OF the day. and the popular cammandant
OF the Walker Light Guard. called his
guard together, and they at once began
their strenuous efforts to keep back the
crowd. which had gathered at the eastern
steps OF the Capitol.
II soon became known. however. that
citizens generally were 10 enter at the
western door. and It was not long before
the crowd WAS besieging that entrance
Then the privates, corporal and sergeants
who guarded the western steps had as
valiant n fight before them as some
sl.rmishes in the war. Ladies were
heIped m the side OF the steps, and a
solid mass Of humanity crushed one an
other in its efforts TO get nearer the
edifce Thousands, representing all
classes and conditions, were there. The
millionaire touched elbows with the me-
chanic: the society belle with the less
favored sister: the clergy with the run
about-town-all moved towards the quaint
stems. and breathed relief when they
re .ched them.
n was wonderful that more women and
children were not crushed. or seriously
hurt One lady tainted, and was carried
over the heads of the crowd, and revived
by considerate bystanders. The gentle
man who lifted the lady out Of the crowd
deserves more than usual credit for his
biceps must have been well developed to
have enabled him TO lift the almost dead
weight over the heads Of so many people.
and being encumbered by the pressing Of
so many bystanders.
Captain CunniI CHAM soon discovered
that the men who were guarding the
ertrarce were unable to cope with the
multitude. and sent for relief from the
armciy He asked for a detail Of a hun
dred men, but could not get that num-
Der.
When they arrived 10 the mufied beat
Of drum they were marched through the
seeming inpenetrable wall OF humanity,
and with their muskets aided by all their
muscular power they kept the crowd in
some sort OF n manageable condition
True. the soldier ran a risk every mo-
ment Of punching some ones eye out with
the point Of a bayonet, but every one
was careful even I'm the seeming hurry.
Soldiers pressed with all their might into
the crowd. 1t did not swerye, however,
nor give way at any point. on the con-
trary every man. woman and child stood !
well their ground, and each moment found |
them nearer the Capitol sters Arches |
were improvlsed by the soldiers with |
their muskets and under them the ladies. |
men and children stopped and rassed |
through.
on the pretty grounds about the Square, |
beneath the shade OF some welcome oak. |
there were parties gathered. Soldier /
boys rested after their labOrs Of the pre-
vioUs night, and the bright red OF the |
Zouave costume lent n bit OF color TO |
the scene that was pleasing. Many ladies
with their children had brought lunches,
and while waiting for the crowd 10 grow
less dense about the steps they enjoyed |
heir cold menu.
Every happening In and out OF the
grounds attracted the attention OF hun
ireds. A band passing up Ninth street
1t ll:45 o'clock drew many from the i'm
)enetrable wall and the ladies who were
waiting a chance 10 get nearer were very
dad TO get a Whit Of fresh air. ~
fright sunny-faced child perched on the
houlder Of an aged negro. probably the
'utler Of her home, attracted general at
ention. No nurse-maid could have been
more careful for the little maids COM
'4' "tiN ~ "A' Va humanity Souiu nave
een prettier or more attractive than she. |
he child was typically a Southern girl,
nd waved little Confederate flag as she
assed up the steps Of the building.
All this time the sun shOne hercely
pom the waiting thousands. and parasols
nd umbrellas offered but poor protection.
he limited space necessarily occupied
Id not give anyone a chance to hold the
unshade I'm the desired direction.
The guard worked earnestly, and de- |
erve great credit. They did the very best
hey knew how, and followed closely the
ommands Of their superiors Captail
unningham was equal at all times 10 the |
ocasion, and by his good judgment |
rought order out Of chaos, and regu-
rity out Of confusion. BY l o'clock the
reater portion Of the crowd had passed
to the Capitol.