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The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, July 31, 1885, SUPPLEMENT, Image 5

Image and text provided by State Historical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO

Persistent link: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90061417/1885-07-31/ed-1/seq-5/

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LET US HAVE PEACE."
AT REST.
A Mourning Nation Pays its
last Tributo of Honor
to tho Illustrious
Doad.
A GRAND BUT SAD FUNERAL COR
TEGE ENDS THE EARTHLY
HONORS OF AMERICA'S
GREATEST GENERAL.
Graphic Doscriptlon of tho
Events at Mt. McCrogor,
Albany and Now
York City.
Tho dato of July 23, 1883, Mill always lio
memorable in American annuls. On that
day (Jonoral Grant, tho greatest soldier in
tho war of tlio Union and twice l'rosidont
of tho United States, departed thin llfo.
'With tho fitting accompaniment of uuproco
dented pomp, tlio nation buried its hum on
August B, 18S3, and to-day tho myriad fami
lloa of tho Union of Commonwealth)) which
constitute tho great repuhlic, read tho ac
count of Grant's obsoqiilos with tho intoroat
of thoso who havo buried ono of their own
household, l'or tho man whoso victorious
arm restorod tho Integrity of tho 1'odoral
DEATH-DED SCENE.
compact, was ono of tho pooplo, a citizen of
tho nation in which all men nro born froo
and equal; and tho memorial of tho last
honors paid to Ids remains, ia consequently
of that tender and lasting intoroat which
cannot bo felt in countrloa bcroavod
of a great man belonging to tho Itoyal or
Aristocratic class. Tho hern mourned was,
moroovor, a Bimplo, straightforward and nil
ostontatioua man, and his death, whtlo sur
rounded by Ida family, had in it a homoly
pathos which touches all hearts and 1111s
all eyes with tears,
DEATH or V. H. UltANT.
A chango had enmo. I)r. Bhrady cent for
tho family. Tlio bod atood in tho mlddlo of
tlio room, Dr. Douglas drew a chair to tho
head near tlio General. Mrs. Orant camo
in and sat on tho opposito aide, Sho clasped
KMDALMINQ TUB 110OV.
gontly ono of tho vhlto hands in her own,
Whon tho Colonel camo in Dr. Douglas guvo
up Ida chair to him. Tlio Colonel began to
ctroko his father's forehead, as was his habit
when attending him. Only tho Colonol and
lira. CI rant aat. llrs. Bartorls atood at hor
mothor'a shoulder. Dr. Bhrady a littlo be
hind, Jeaao (Irani loaned against tho low
headboard fanning tho General, Ulyaaoa
Junior atood at tho foot. Dr. Douglas was
behind tho Colonel. Tho Wlvoa of tlio three
sona were grouped near the foot, Harrison
was in tho doorway, and tho nurse, Henry,
near a remoto corner. Dctween them, at a
window, stood Dr. Hands.
All oyes wero intent on tho Oenoral. His
breathing had become soft, though quick. A
Bhado of pallor crept flow ly but perceptibly
over Ida features. His barod throat quiv
ered with tho quickened breath. Tho outer
air, gently moving, swayed tho curtains at
an cast window. Into the crovlco crept a
whlto ray from tlio mm. It reached across
tho room llko n rod and lighted ft plcturo of
Lincoln over tho deathbed. Tlio huh did
not touch tho companion picture, which was
of tlio General. A roup of watchers In a
shaded room, with only this quivering abaft
of iiuro light, tlio gao of all turned on tho
pillowed occupant of tho bed, all knowing
that tho end bad come, and thankful, know,
ing it, that no Bign of pain attended it-thla
was tho Bimplo Betting of tho aceno.
Tlio General mado no motion. Only tho
llutterlng throat, white as his sick robe,
showed that llfo remained. Tho lacowas
ono of peaeo. Thero was no truco of pres
ent Buffering. Tlio moments panned n
silence. Mrs. Grant dill held tlio General's
hand. Tho Colonel still stroked his brow,
Tho Iglit on tlio portrait of Lincoln was
sioniy Hiking, rrosontlv t ho Goiioin nn
ed his eyes an 1 glanced ubout lilm, looking
into tho faces of all. Tin) clanen lliiimr,.,!
in ii iNi-i in., ii iio -r guu oi ma companion,
A atartb'd, wavering mo- , , ,
lion nt tho throat, n few
quiet gasps, a sigh and
the appearance of drop,
plug into gentle Bleep
lollowod. The eyes of
affection wero still upon
him. He lay without a
motion. At that instant
the window curtain sway
ed back in place, shut
ting out tho Htllilieaiii.
At last," said Dr.
Shrady, in a aubdiiod
w hisper.
"It is all ovor," algh
ed Dr. Douglas.
Mrs. Grant could not
believe it until thn Col
onel, realizing tho truth,
kneeled at tho bedsldo
clasping his father's
hand. Then oho buried
her face in her hand
kerchief. Thorn was not
a sound in tho room, no
sobbing, no unrestrain
ed bIiow of grief. Tho
example set by him who
had gouo ao quietly
kept grief In check
at that moment. Tho
doctors withdrew. Dr.
Newman, who had en
tered in responso to a
summons just at tho in
stantof thopassing away
looked into tho calm
faco, now beyond suffer
ing.and bowed ills head.
Tliero was a brief ail
onco. Thou Dr. Now
man led Mrs. Grant to
a lounge, and the others
of tho family sought
their rooms,
Tho General had not
boon dead two minutes
when the sad news
was being telegraphed
from Mount McGregor,
all over tho country.
An undertaker was on
Ids way from Haratoga
almost as soon as tho
family had left tho
death chamber, and a
message was sent to tho
ltov. Stephen Merrltt,
Now York, to go on
to Mount Mo Gregor
at nnco to tako charge of
tho funeral arrango
ments. Hculptor Go
hardt was Immediately
informed that ho might
tako tho death mask.
Tlio General's body atlll lay on tho bed clad
In tho white llannel gown and tho light ap
parel that ho had last worn. The faco seem
ed to havo filled out somewhat, lookluir moro
as in familiar portraits of him.
CHOICE 01' A J1U1UAI, PLACE.
Tlioro is no doubt tho Oenoral felt
when the arrangements fur taking him to
Mount McGregor wero in progross, that ho
would not return alivo to New York. Shortly
before leaving the metropolis for his laat
residence on earth ho gave dotalled Instruc
tions In regard to Ida effects, but only to ono
or two of tho family, as ho was Btndloua to
avoid tho infliction of pain, On Juno 21 ho
gavo to Colonol Grant a Blip of paper on
which ho had written these words, tho ilrat
Intimation of his wish regarding Ida place of
burials
"Thero aro thrco placca from which I wish
a choice of burial place to bo made:
" Wett J'oliUi I would prefer this above
others hut for tho fact that my wife could
nut bo placed besldo mo thero,
"Uaktui, or tmne 4ace in J!?nofjilo.
cauao from that Btato I received my llrat
General's commlaslou.
"JVVio l'or;; HocauBO thn pooplo of that
city bofrlondod mo In my nood,"
Tho day after tho General's doath it waa
arranged that his remains should reat in Now
York. Mayor Graco of that city tondeiod a
burial Bito for tho body In any of its patka,
with tho provision that Mrs. Orant should
finally rest oosldo him. On tho samo day a
plan waa alao dovUcd leading up to tho tlmo
of mtermont, It was arranged that Ida body
should Ho at tho cvttago, in tho room of tho
R
SUPPLEMENT.
death aceno, until Tuesday, August 4, when
funeral services would be held at cloven a. ni.
A train would start for Saratoga at ono o'clock,
reaching there in an hour. Alter a atop of
unriy minutes mo iraiu wonm push mi to
Albany. Tlio body would lie In (State at tho
Capitol from i-M o'clock in the afternoon
until noon on August 5, when It would pro
ceed to Now York. It would lio in state in
tho Govornur'H ltoom, in tlio City Hull, until
Saturday, August t), when publlo services
would bo held at tho interment in Illvcrsldo
l'ark. Tlio offer from tho U. H. Grant Grand
Army Tost, Urooklyn, to guard tho body
was also accepted. It was decided that tlio
body should pass, after tho services at tho
cottage, to the charge of a guard appointed
by the President, such guard to attend it up
to tho tlmo of interment. Oeneral Hancock
was designr 'd for this duty by tho Secre
tary ofWar, and it was given him to make
all appointments. Tlio arrangement to havo
tho body lie In atato at tho Capitol in Al
bany, waa brought about through Secretary
ofStato Cair, acting not only for Governor
Hill, but in his capacity as Commander of
tho Third Division of tlio Grand Aimy.
Meanwhile military paced tho grounds
Burioundlng tho cottago at Mount McGregor,
an unwonted spectacle and heightening
tho melancholy Interest if an event tho tin
turo of which in Itself lorbado intrusion, nml
rendered tho presence of troops unneces
aary. On July 20 they wero joined by men
belonging to tho U. H. Grant l'ost, No. 327,
of Urooklyn. TI1I1 entire post assumed duty
as a guard of honor at Albany, on August 4,
roturnod with the body to New York on tho
Sth lnt,, and had a position In tho funeral
procesalon of tho Buccoeding Saturday. They
aro mentioned specially because their offer
to act aa a guard of honor was tho first made
and accepted,
nnTiisiDK raiiK Dmcuimo).
On tho morning of July 23, Colonel Grant,
who had been on a visit to Now York, re
turned to Mount McGregm and reported 10
Ida mother what ho had done in tho way
of Inspecting sltos suggested as proper for
tho burial placo of his father. Ho submitted
to her maps of tho soveral spots visited.
She was not long in BHreoIng with him that,
all things considered, tho Illvcrsldo l'ark
alto was preferable to olthor tho Mall or tho
Watch Hill altes in Central l'ark,
Thero Is no question of tho abaoluta fitness
of tho alto preferred. Tho place on which
tho monument to tho memory of arant will
bo erected is situated about ten miles from
tho City Hall. It commands a long roach ol
lovely river view ombowored In follago and a
wldo oipanso of mountain scenery. Tho
smoko of tho busy city is visible in tho
distance, but with Its ruar and uniso as in
audible as if it wero on another planet,
Illvcrsldo Park is nearly thrco miles long,
but its average width is less than II vo hun
dred feet, and In somo places ia confined
almost exclusively to tlio broad carriage-way
and a walk for pedestrians akirtlug tho sum
mit of tho bluff. 1'arly settlors of New York
lined to rldo out thero and admlro the beau
tilul scenery long before tho surrounding
hllU wero dotted with houecg ar "i the, ferry-
TUB CASKET AND CANOPY.
boats had cut paths across tho river. Tin'
drlvo bocanio muro popular as tlio city
becamo moro populous, and tho aristocrats
used to fill tho coffers of landlords of roomy
road houses, of which now only ono or two
remain as landmarks. Carriages turn Into
the wide drivow ay at 72d Street and ascend
graduully to a bluff that commands n Kpleudid
view of tho river from tho l'allsades to Jersey
City. Almost at tho beginning of tho drive
Is tho only pieco of territory that complies
with the popular idea of a park. Tho slope
to tho river is gradual, and people who want
to get out of tho dust may wander at will in
grassy dells shaded by a thick growth of
lino old trees. Hut near 2d Street this
ceases, and tho descent from tho bluff to the
rier becomes abrupt. 1'roiu this point
nearly to tho place of General Grant's
tomb tho edge of the bluff Is skirted by
a solid Btono wall, with openings and step's
at long distances to permit persons to reach
tho river bank benoath. Tho views idling
tho drlvo from start to finish aro striking
and picturesque. At intervals along the
road tlio paik Is wide enough to admit of
grass plots on cither sldo of It, some
times meio ribbons of greenness separating
tho path fur pedestrians, and in other
places broad plots laid out with growing
trees, From 121st Street to 12.1th Street,
which ia substantially tho part set aside) for
General Grant's resting place, tln park
widens again, and gradually ascends to
tho bluff on which tho monument will
stand. Tho carriageways separate Into two
O
broad drives, which will enable visitors to
drlvo all around tlio large grass plot when'
tho monument will stand and get a lull
viow of Its ovory feature. The ground is
historic. A hotel which new stands there
was built before tho llovolutlon, but it will
undoubtedly havo to go when tho land
scape gardonor geta to work. Tho monu
ment will prubably bo vory closo to tho
alto thn hotel now occupies, a short dis
tance abovn tho place chosen for tho tem
porary tomb. Its conspicuous location will
make It visible to the passengers on all
the Hitdaon ltlver boats, from tho Jersey
City ferries to Yonkcra.
I'llKFAMxa TUB TEJII'OllAn' TOMB.
No tlmo w as lost in Betting to work to
prepare for tho reception of the honored re
mains, Tho New York l'ark Comiuisalonera
wero anxious as anybody to get an early
report of tho selection of a site mado by
tho family, for Micro was a great deal of
preparation to bo mado and very littlo tlmo
to make it In, before tho ceremony. They
received a telegram about eleven In tho
foronoon, announcing that tho family had
decided upon tho Illvcrsldo site. In about
twenty minutes from that tlmo, Mr. J, Wroy
Mould, uichltect, had on paper tlio plan of
tho temporary vault shown in 0110 of the
accompanying Illustrations. In less than
live minutes moro tho Commissioners had
approved tho plan and Issued requisitions
for tho purchasa of tho materials. Tho
temporary structure la a roctanglo twelve
by seven feet internal dlmensiuns, with
walla mm foot four inches thick and fuiir
(vat high to th springing of the vault,
It has a "barrel" i",.f running the whole
length of tlio structm.', turned witli two
rims of brli kwoik. Tho floor "f tie' tomb
Is about four fei-t below tin- ground level.
The entrance to It is guarded by a strong
Iron door four feet wide by six feet high.
The collln rests free on two stones or
brick piers. The structure took four
teen thousand brick and lTit feet of foiir
incli flagging stone. Tho bao and cornices
ore oi Milestone, Tho site utl'ords umplo
facilities for drainage, and, as will ho seen
from tlio picture, provision has been made
for necessary ventilation.
Tin: iimio in Ills roiriv.
Tho body of the dead hem was placed in
tho coflin about dusk on July 5S. When this
was dono tho duullo glass top was placed
over tho body and sealed for the night.
Then tho lid was laid on and ft (lag draped
over tho lower part. At nine o'clock Cap
tain Johnson, whowasln chargoof the Drook
ln detail, went to tho cottago with some
comrades. Tho upper part of tho lid was
removed and tho guard looked upon tin-
calm faco of their charge. Tho son of Un
dertaker Merrltt announced his readiness
to delier to tho guard thotrusttli.it had
been Ids. Colonel Giant was summoned.
Standing at tho collln ho addressed Captain
Johnson and his comrades, giving the im
mediate ram of tho body to the r. s. Grant
l'ost of llrooklvu. Captain Johnson formally
accepted the charge, and tho two comtado's
accompanying him becamo thereby tlio llr.t
detail at tin) collln. With the collln th.it eve
ning went thirty-eight
men of ILittery A, 1'iltli
Artillery, from Gover
nor's Island. I. lug in
his collln the dead
General presented a
sight never to be
forgotten by those who
saw it. Tho electric
lamp under the tlag
draped canopy in tin'
pallor sent dining the
early paitof tho veiling
a glow of soft light upon
the body. It lay asif in
peaceful sleep, 'i'ho iirnis
crossi'd the breast in
natural repose. Onlv
the wasted bauds e.
called his pain. Tho
face was calm. It allow
ed no signs of when)
the dread diseaso crept.
There was fullness in
the outline and nothing
of the death pallor.
Tho hair was combed bo
that the gray scarcely
appeared. Hun. In s of
white were ill the heard,
but It was trimmed as
of old. Tlie hps were
speaking lips, slightly
parted, jet wlthno space
between them. Death
had made the face voung
er by ten yeais'. Art
had done much to hide
the attenuation of tin
body. It was clothed
in broadcloth. Above
the tuitions of the
1'ilnce Albert coat a gold
stud glistened. lleMd.'s
this thero was u plain
gold ling on the
little linger oi the left
hand. J ho stud mid tin'
ring weie tho only Jew
elry. White Blockings
allowed above the tepH
of patent leather
pers The body lay
quite Hut, but the head
was niised slighllv bv
its pillow of satin, bring
ing tlio luce into
ii'hef. Tin) loom
11,..,
'
WUS I
fragrant with iloucrs.
At tlio bead of the can
opy stood a table. A
device in Immortelles
a pillow with 1111 an
chor and heait worked
..1..1IJ-..0 .-. .
niwiuioir 00011 11 was
!,.. 1 v. .... , I
i.e. (luiiiiniiiucnt nun
largest piece. This de
vice was sent on from Denver, Colorado, the
gilt of Mrs. Amos llissell. Three bouquets
of loses and lilies rested beside it. A laiucl
wreath lay on the table. Tho vacant willow
porch chair, which was lately draped, wus
set at the foot of tho cnuopy. The collln
rested III tho mlddlo of tlio room
whero tho Qeneral's bed bad stood
when ho died. There was no drapery In the
room except tho canopy. TV General s
chair, occupied by him during Ids stay ut
Mount McGregor, stood in one comer of
the room, )
0 enf.ua 1. iiancock's rinsx oiideii vclatino to
THE IIU11IAE.
Oeneral Hancock Issnod his firs' order as
tlio General in chargo of tho funeral cere
monies, in tho afternoon of July 2'J. It was
aa follows:
HEAnqtunTEUs Division ok tub Atwntic, v
GovEii.son'a IsuANii, New Youk Citv. (.
July 2'J, 1883. j
I. Having been placed by tlio rroaldontin
chargo of tho ceremonies connected with tho
funeral of ex-Vrealdent of tho United Statoe,
General Ulysses H, Grant, and In command
of tho escort for tho obsequies, military and
clvlo organizations and associations Intend
ing to participate will, upon promptly report
ing such intention, bo assigned positions in
the procession, which will tako placo In tho
city of New York on Saturday, August 8,
WM. 1
II. Major-Oencral John G. rornawortn, !
Adjutant-Gencrat of tho Btato of Now York,
Is announced aa aldo, will act aa Chief Mar
thai of tho obsequies of Qcueral Grant at Al
PEACE HAS COME AT LAST.
banv, Y., in due concert ,iith the civil
authentic., and is charged with all details of
Hie cen inoiuc. and cure of the remains at
that place, ns tin' lepresentativo of tho
AIujor-Gencral commanding during his ab
sence anil until Ins airival, and Is also
charged witli the preparation of orders to
11 t all contingencies there between tho
reception and departure of tlio remains.
III. Drigadior-Goneral Llovd Asplnwall,
hit" of tie- National Guard, Stato of New
Yoik, is announced os aide to th" Major
General commanding during the obsequies
of General Grant in the city of Now York,
and is instructed to establish an olllco in that
city as to the place of which howillmako
public announcement, ami is charged with
the preparation of tlio routes of march fur
tlei l'unoiul procession from tho City Hall to
tho place of interment as to its Una! disper
sion us a basis of orders for these purposes.
ly, llrevet Major-Geiieral Martin T. Me
Mabon, late United States Volunteer Marshal
of the United Stales fur tho Southern District
J of New York, is announced as aide and l
fiiurgcii witn 1110 coiinui't 01 uio marcn or
..!. ...I , ........ l I nj n I.
haiN.it"n ,11 C'lmuil un . ,euj aiUI
for tin ir due dispersion after the ceremonies;
are concluded. He will establish an olltcn
In New York and announco tho samo. All
such organizations desiring to toko part will
report directly to these headquartors, send
ing duplicate of tho samo to General Mo.
Mahon, and will stato title of same, iiumu of
chief officer, and number to parade.
W. S. HANCOCK,
Major-Goncral commanding,
Goneral Hancock also issued an order t
Oenoral Shalor, commanding tho rjrst llrl
gaje, National Guard, accepting tho aervlcea
SlTI.rTOrt T.VKlNll A FAIT. MAST.
I... .'i'iUL-
' 111 FIB
THE (TOTTAIlK I NIIKK la'Allb.
THE I'lUVVTE CEREMONIES AT UT. MO OHECloA.
I
V
u.l"l",

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