Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-05-05


Memorial. 1t was estimated that nearly
$4,000 men were in line. There were
three grand divisions-those respectively,
of military, veterans and civics.
There were fully 10000 Union and Con-
federate veterans in the old soldiers
division, while the civic grand division,
which included patriotic societies, mu-
n1clpal brigades, ETC., was about 10000
strong. On arriving at Riverside park
the parade surrounded the tomb, being
reviewed by President Mckinley and
distinguished guests upon the platform
with him.
While the land parade was il progress
the vessels composing the naval parade
were making their way up the North
river. The parade was in four grand
divisions; the first division consisting of
the North American squadron and for
eign war vessels, the second Of other
naval vessels and those belonging to the
United States lighthouse department,
the third of United States revenue cut
ters and other vessels and the fourth of
vessels of the merchant marine.
The ships formed their columns between
Iwenty-third and One Hundred and
Twenty-ffth streets and proceeded up the
river to point opposite the monument,
when they took up positions according to
assignment. When the last division of the
land parade had passed the Memorial
President Mcinley and the other guests
we're escorted to the Dolphin and re-
yiewed the fleet
All vessels carried flags at full mast,
living the color salute to the President
IS the Dolphin passed up and down the
Inc. Statutes by gun or whistle had been
prohibited by Rear Admiral Osborne,
who had charge Of the parade. The
spectacle was gorgeous one. At the
conclusion of the review the presidential
party was driven back to it's hotel
Solid Pile of White Granite.
One hundred feet above mean high
water of the Hudson river, the Grant
monument stands. a solid pile of white
granite 80 feer Ill height. The first
Y feet of this height is cube of the
Grecian Doric order which measures 90
feet OH all sides.
The entrance on the southern side is
enclosed by portico made up of a row
of recessed columns. Above and behind
the porticO rises an almost blank wall.
which will one day be relieved by the
four equestrian statues shown usually in
plans OF the monument, and finishes in
a parapet which shows upon it's face the
sculptured figures Of Peace and War.
Above the parapet, there starts
abruptly a cupola, 70 feet in diameter,
surrounded. as a relief, with Ionic col
umns. Around the crown of the cupOla
line of faces, surmounted with eagles,
connects the cOlumned drum with the
pyramidical top
The fawless granite of which the
tomb consists is of dotted whitish gray
taken from quarry of uniform grain,
and is so light III tone that in the strong
sunlight it is hardly distinguishable
from marble
Passing up the great steps which ex-
tend three quarters of the way across the
front OF the structure, one comes first 70
the doors of the tomb, filling a space 16
foo hoo, Io1<- 81
width. Of bone-dried ash. covered thick
ly with composition of copper and til.
these doors weigh three and One-h;ilf
tons. In each door are three panels,
ornamented with 14S bronze rosetteS, the
twenty-four on the larger central panel
and all riveted to the doors with heavy
bolts
Beyond the doors, after a clear space
of thirty-eight feet, is tWenty-hve-fOOt
opening directly over the crypt beneath.
The interior Of the monument is cross
shaped and the four corner arches are
fifty feet above the floor. On these
arches rests an open gallery with IN in
ner diameter of forty feet, which IS APP
preached by two circular corner stair
ways, each with siAty-nine steps. Above
the gallery extends the paneled dome,
and below through the opening can be
seen the lower floor, and still lower the
crypt with the sarcGphagus.
The pendentiVeS formed between the
circular dome and the arches are decorat-
ed in high relief sculpture, emblematic
of the military and civic life of Gen.
Grant. The windows are twelve in num-
Der, three in each side of the cross
shaped interior.
The crypt is reached by side staEways
which lead directly into the passage en-
circling the space in which rests the sar-
cophagus. This passage is shut ID by
square columns which support the pan
eled marble ceiling.
The sarcophagus rests in the center of
the crypt, 40 feet below the dome. OF
all the perpleXing questions which arose
in connection with the new tomb the
greatest was that of obtaining suita BILE
material for the sarcophagus. The
proper quality was found, after long
search. in the Quarries of Montello, Wis,
porphyry of fine texture, brilliantly red
dish in color Cut from the solid rock,
it is highly polished rejecting the near
by surfaces as it rests in the crypt. The
great block is 10 feet inches long,
feet inches wide and 4 feet s. inches
high and weighs 5 tons. In this i'm
mense block space was followed out
Grant were lowered. Then the cap
stone was set, and the sarcophagus again
became as solid block. It is plain, save
for the simple engraved inscription at the
head of the capstone ULYSSES s. Grant
The pedestal on which the sarcophagus
rests is a square of 10 feet 10 inches.
The lower course of 1 foot s inches is
made in sections, above which is a b
inch indented course. Still above this are
two heavy blocks of marble on which the
sarcoDhagus directly sets. The total
height of all is ~ feet.
Some day the body of Mrs. Grant will
repose beside that of her husband in Il
duplicate of the sarcophagus now in the
crypt of the tomb.
The Cuban junta chartered pas
senger steamer for the day. 1t was dec