New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-14
READY FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE
COFFIN.
UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHEN IT WILL Re TRANS
FERRED TO THE sARCOPHAGUs-A TALK
WITH THE CONTRACTOR

UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHEN IT WILL Re TRANS
FERRED TO THE sARcoPHAGUs-A TALK
WITH THE CONTRACTOR.
Everything is in readiness for the removal Of the
coffin containing the body Of General Grant TO the
earcophagus. us last resting-place. 1t VIII he
transferred IN all probability before Saturda;
night All Of the rivets in the armor-steel case
which for so many years has preserved the cedar
case containing the coffin. have been taken out,
the sarcophalus has been made ready for the trans
fer and the doors of the tomb are In place. The
work OF opening the case was completed at =
o'clock Yesterday morning Nearly everybody who
visited the tomb yesterday made inquiries as 10
the time set for the removal of the body TO the
sorcophagus Tribune reporter learned several
DAYS ago from Trustworthy source that II would
take place just soon as the rVets in the arnoT-
eteel case were drawn and the doors swung III
place As these things have been done. the body
NAV be lowered into the sarcophagus at any hour
now The informant told the reporter that the
coffin would be carried the tomb In the presence
If some member OF the Grant family and probably
Of some invited guests. There would be no formal
ceremonies it said. in all probability some
old soldiers who on intimate terms with the
General will carry the coffin from the repository
10 the tomb and then down the winding stairs 10
The floor of the pit. in the centre of which rests
the sarcophagus When asked at what time the
transfer would take place John T. Brady, the con-
tractor. said yesterday:
The work of opening the armor-steel case con-
tanning the body OF General Grant was competed
This morning and the flowers which nave peeh ~
tng on the tor Of II for many months were removed
for safe-keeping the sub-station OF the central
Park poce The cedar covering the CONN
was found TO be in perfect condition II measured
feet IL inches long. feet 5s4 inches wide and
Zoo. 1ls inches deep 1t easily be lowered into
the sarcophagus. Just when the transfer Of the
body will take place cannot say ana there Is no
ho krOw II.
81 am exceedingly pleased with the way work IS
advancing for the tomb is practically completed,
with the exception OF cleaning up and finishing
the polishing OF the marble work and OF the copper
doors The doors Of the tomb are perfect. They
are strong, handsome and swing on their hinges
easily You could swing them open or shut with
one finger. The little piece Clipped off one Of
the granite columns caused by the falling OF door
against II last Friday is hardly noticeable. and is
not serious to mar the beauty Of the column.
This afternoon venerable builder. who Is well
known I'm the South. where his home is, visited me,
and after inspecting the tomb carefully told me
that 1t was the best work of it's kind that he had
ever seen He has travelled through all of the prin-
-aptured by the impressive solidiy OF the tomb its
architectural beauty bnt lis perfection In general
a stone had 10 DO replaced or piece OF work done
again.
The WORK OF building paths and laying grass
sods on the raised ground north of the tomb Is
10 be done IN adjacent streets and in improving
the appearance OF vacant lots dotted with
rickety wooden houses. occupied by squatters Some
of the OF these houses keep pigs. chickens
and goats.
The scene on Riverside Drive yesterday was one
OF unusual activity. Many gangs OF laborers were
engaged IN unloading lumber. and others
building a large stand on the lot along the drive
cast Of the tomb. IN the thoroughfares leading up
10 Claremont were hundreds OF men working like
beavers. improving the condition OF the streets and
the slope OF the hill Scores Of photographers were
along Riverside Drive have begun the erection OF
private stands
There a rumor yesterday that the riyets re-
moved from the armor-plate case had been sold az
relics There is no truth i'm the rumor as the rives
are now in the possession of the architect