New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-26
SWARNS AT THE TOMB.
AN IMMENSE CONCoURSE OF PEOPLE IN
RIVERSIDE PARK-FINAL PREPARA-
TI0NS AROIiT TIE MAUSOLECM.

AN IMMENSE CONCOURSE or PEOPLE IN
RIVERSIDE PARK-FINAL PREPARA-
TIoNs ABOUT THE MAUsoLEUM.
Riverside Park and Claremont were busy
pl aces all day yesterday and well INFO the night'
1t seemed as If all the city had turned toward
the hill on which stands the tomb OF Heherai
Grant The tide of people turned toward the
mark soon after the breakfast hour and from
that time until after shutdown there were such
crowds as have rarely been seen there even when
some occasion of especial significance acted as
the magnet OF course the majority Of the
thousands were actuated by a curiosity to see
how the preparations for to-morrow's ceremonies
were getting on and the fine weather and the
truly summer air increased the crowds All day
every car surface and elevated, that ran near
the tomb was filled 10 overlooking with pas
se:gers The Boulevard and Riverside Drive
were so crowded with wheemen and teams that
II was a marvel that accidents were not numer-
GUS The sidewalks were so full that crowds
overlooked into the streets. and the entire con-
course flowed toward the heights OF Riverside
Park, where 1t congested in masses OF people
who pressed as to the tomb as the police
would allow them to get
Many of tn, visitors expressed disappointment
that the tomb was not open for their inspection
but the preparations that were going on were
too important TO allow Of any interference from
the crowds and the entire space surrounding the
tomb and including the three official STANDS was
roped Off and guarded by park policemen. who
would allo'7 no one to pas. who hac no business
within the lines The three official STANDS are
now completed. Some of the seats have NOT ve'
been placed but this will take little time The
decorations have not yet been hnished, OUT MI
O'Reilly chairman of the Committee on Platform
and Decorations, was at work yesterday WIN
a large force upon this detail and SAID tha'
the work would continue all night, so as to pre-
vent any possibility Of it's not being complete
by tonight Permits had been granted for the
workers to continue their labors yesterday ana
the sound of hammer and saw was continuous.
The mart of the work that seemed to excite
most interest on the part of the cr0wos was me
erection of the triumphal drcf, under "hIch ti'e
parade is to pass after ii has turned W the clrcie
into the east drive and just before II passes IN
review before the President. work on the arch
was begun only Friday morning. and yesterday IL
was entirely completed, with the exception Oh
the decorations and some OF these were also
finished The words of General Grant Let us
have peace" will be prominent on the lacaue .,
the arch Work on the arch went on all last
night under calcium lights. 49,.
70 all outward appearances it a holiday
In Riverside Park yesterday. The crowds were
dressed for the most part IN their pest. ahe ca
was full of the buzz of conversation. and gooo
nature prevailed, while above all the rest rose
the shouts of the fakirs. They we're numerous,
these fakirs and they seemed 10 nave taken
possession Of the place The fakirs began 10
come a week and more ago. but yesterday they
feirlv swarmed They sold everything. from
..the only official programmes wild plcters OF ger
tomb" to photographs, OF Genera. Grant. All
along Riverside Drive. too. We're persons en-
Gagged in calling the attention OF the puDhc u
the fact that their particular grandstand seats
were the best to be had, as well as the cheapes|
one man whose stand WAS in state Oh Soh
siderable incompleteness, endeavored TO heienten
IFS value in 1he eyes OF buyers by decia,ins
that II was the only covered one on the Ioute'
though the cover itself did not appear 10 'h1
naked eye. +, ds,and. was
The work upon the official Circumstances was
confined Yesterday practically to the arr ait.,
ment OF the seats the stand where tne
dent and his party are to be. The orlginai p!ans
seemed TO crowd the seats too closeiy toseo.rei
and Mr. OReilly went over the stahu oaie
fu1Iv and succeeded in obvating the olIhcui''' %
tbat there is now plenty OF room ,.Soro
arrangements for the dinine-roorn' W.T.
luncheon Tor 800 Of the official guests VIII NC
served were also rushed along to conple.,o,,
- &c now announced that after the ofnclal GUESS
have had luncheon. other occupants ,he
three big stands will be served, but not a' '"e
cfy's expense.