History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 20

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196


USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 20


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A general celebration of Grant's victories in Virginia took place the following Friday, April 14. The day was opened with the ringing of bells, blowing of whistles and firing of cannon, and at an early hour the streets were thronged with people. Business was generally suspended. The day was one of thanks. giving as well as of joy, and services were held at the principal churches. At noon the bells of the city were again rung, with accompaniments of steamwhistles and the thunder of an artillery salute fired in the Capitol Square. At two o'clock the people assembled in great mass at the East Terrace of the Capitol, where IIon. George MI. Parsons was called to preside, and, after prayer by Rev. Granville Moody, Hon. John Sherman addressed the happy multitudes for nearly an hour. Following are some of Mr. Sherman's most striking sentences :


Four years ago I went to Washington around Baltimore. The motto of the First Regiment of Ohio Volunteers was, " to Washington through Baltimore." We thought it a feat when they made their motto good. I was in Washington when the rebel flag floated in sight of the Capitol. It blockaded the Potomac, and might have signaled across the continent. We all remember the battle of Bull Run, the seven days on the Chickahominy, the second Bull Run and the battle of Antietam. We all remember the dark days that preceded Gettysburg and Vicksburg-yes, even the past summer, until Atlanta and Mobile shed their light upon us. Through what dangers and storms has the good old Ship of State gone safely ! The battle of Gettysburg was the turning physical battle of this war and the civil strife of 1863, here in Ohio, was the turning political contest of the war. What if Lee had won at Gettysburg? What if Vallandigham had won in Ohio? We would not thus have been rejoicing over a restored and strengthened Union. I look back upon the dangers we have passed, not with unkindness, but with thankful- ness.


That all the Southern States will soon return to the Union, and be again represented in Congress I do not doubt. . . . The people can confide in the prom- ise of the President that no act of amnesty, that no exercises of the pardoning power, that no military convention will endanger either Union or emancipation. The conceded and secured reconstruction in the South cannot be very difficult. It is easy to raise theoretical and constitutional questions, but Mr. Lincoln has a homely and direct way of solving these, and of doing it at the right time. I do not fear but that after the war, and in due time, we can settle all the complicated political questions growing out of it, and without conceding to the rebels any terms that are not assented to by the body of the people.


In February, 1861, I ventured to prophesy to the leaders of this rebellion, then in the House of Representatives, that if they attempted to execute their threats of secession, we would find power in the Constitution, aud among the de- cided masses of the northern people, to whip them into submission to the con- stituted authorities. I now prophesy that, during the present terin of Mr. Lincoln, all the Southern States, and Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Idaho, New


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Mexico and perhaps Utah will be represented in Congress, and that slavery will be abolished by constitutional amendment with the assent of South Carolina, or what is left of it.


At the elose of Mr. Sherman's remarks " three cheers " for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan, and three for " Old Abe," were called for by Rev. Granville Moody, and heartily given. Evelyn Evans then read two selected poems, one entitled Where's Sherman ? and the other, Sheridan's Ride. A song by the choir followed, then a speech by State Treasurer Dorsey, then a song, Victory at Last, and a very lively address by Hon. Samuel Galloway. In the evening the whole city was illuminated, there being scarcely anywhere a single dark window. The Capitol glittered with lights from foundation to cupola, and the fences around its grounds were hung with lampions. Emblems and devices in fire and on illuminated can- vas were frequent. The names of Grant, Sherman and Sheridan were brilliantly emblazoned, as were also such mottos and expressions as Peace, Liberty and Union, United States Army and Navy, and Glory to God. Varions humorous devices were attempted.


In the course of the evening a torehlight parade passed through the streets, led by the Eightyeight Ohio Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Weber. The other par- ticipating organizations, named in their processional order, were the One Hundred Ninetyseventh Ohio Infantry, Major Hill ; a torchbearing battalion of 500 paroled prisoners, Lieutenant-Colonel Ewing; the Tod Barracks Band, the Veteran Reserve Corps, Lieutenant Peterson ; the Columbus Brass Band, the Rescue Hook and Ladder carriage, gaily decorated ; the Ridgway and Miller steam fireengines, with their hosereels, and the Fourth Ward " Hackmen's Delegation," marshalled by P. Eagan.


A large and highly enthusiastic evening meeting, on the Capitol Square, opened with the song of the "Star Spangled Banner," and was addressed by Granville Moody, Colonel Given, A. G. Byers and E. E. White. Various patriotic and popular songs interspersed the speaking, while from a platform on the grounds a brilliant display of fireworks was made. At the close of the meeting the people sang the doxology, and dispersed, we are told, "full of joyous emotions," alas, very soon to give place to emotions of a very different nature !


On the following morning - Saturday, April 15 - while the city was yet dressed with the insignia of rejoicing, the whole community was startled with the news that President Lincoln had been assassinated the preceding evening at a theatre in Washington. A suspension of business immediately ensued, and the people, cager for particulars, gathered in great crowds around the newspaper bul- letin boards, and silently, many of them tearfully, discussed the dire calamity which, in the very hour of its deliverance, had befallen the country. Suddenly Rev. Granville Moody appeared in the midst of one of these anxious throngs, and after some conversational remarks began an address, which, after some minutes, he concluded with a fervent prayer. A sombre spirit pervaded the entire eity, as though death's shadow had fallen npon every spirit. Flags were halfmasted, and the Capitol and other prominent buildings were draped with emblems of mourning. A dispatch stating that Mr. Lincoln had expired blotted out many hopes still


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fondly cherished that he might survive his injuries. Newspaper extras were issued at various times during the day, and also on Sunday morning, April 16. Religious services announced, for two P. M. of that day, at the East Terrace, drew thither, it is said, the largest crowd which had ever assembled in the Capitol Square. Part of the assemblage consisted of soldiers from Tod Barracks, who came in a body, bearing the National and State flags dressed in mourning, and marching to dirge music played by their bands. The crowd being too great for one speaker to address, services were also held at the West Front, where a dis- course was delivered by Rev. A. G. Byers. The speaker at the East Front was Rev. Granville Moody, whose text was : "And the victory of that day was turned into mourning unto all the people." (Il Samuel, 19, 2.) " During Mr. Moody's dis- course," said a report of the services, " the vast concourse of faces, expressing each emotion of the speaker, heads bowing in grief, eyes wet with tears or flashing with indignation, presented a scene impressive beyond description. The same may be said of those addressed by Doctor Byers, and never, perhaps, did the appearance of a crowd indicate in itself so deep and general a sorrow."


At five o'clock P. M. on Saturday the City Council convened in special session, President Reinhard in the chair, and adopted resolutions expressing abhorrence of the murderous deed which had deprived the Nation of its Chief Magistrate, tendering condolence to his family, recording appreciation of the great and good qualities and services which had distinguished him, and particu- larly of his fitness for the work of pacification upon which he had entered ; giving assurances of sympathy for the wounded Secretary and Assistant Secretary of State; and directing that a committee of nine be appointed to act in conjunction with committees representing the State authorities and the citizens in making suitable preparations for reception of the remains of the President, should they be conveyed through the city. An additional committee was appointed to drape the city buildings in mourning. On Tuesday, April 18, a large meeting of citi- zens, to take proper action upon the death of the President, convened at the City Hall. Hon. Samuel Galloway was called to preside, H. T. Chittenden was appointed secretary, and prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Felton. Messrs. L. J. Critchfield, George M. Parsons, C. N. Olds, B. F. Martin and Peter Ambos were appointed to report resolutions, and, on invitation, appropriate remarks were made by Rev. J. M. Trimble. At the conclusion of Mr. Trimble's address Hon. Samuel Galloway was called for, and narrated some personal reminiscences of the late President. The resolutions reported recommended that the people close their places of business on the next day, nineteenth, during the progress of the funeral services at Washington, between the hours of eleven A. M. and three P. M., and that during that time the bells of the city be tolled. In pursuance of a further resolution offered by William G. Deshler the following committee was appointed to cooperate with that which had been appointed by the Council in arranging a suitable reception of the late President's remains and procuring the delivery of a suitable oration upon his life and services : William G. Deshler, David S. Gray, J. E. St. Clair, W. Failing, Isaac Eberly, K. Mees, L. Kilbourn, C. P. L. Butler, and Starling Loving.


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In accordance with the recommendations of this meeting, business was sus- pended, bells were tolled and minute guns were fired on the nineteeth, while the funeral at Washington was in progress. During the same hours appropriate religious services were held at the First Presbyterian Church and at the Methodist Episcopal Church on Town Street. A few days later it was ascertained that the train bearing the remains of the President would arrive at, Columbus, via Cleveland on the morning of April 29, whereupon the Adjutant-General of Ohio, B. R. Cowen, issued an order appointing Major John W. Skiles, of the Eighty- eighth Ohio Infantry, as chief marshal for the ceremonies of that day, and direct- ing that all organizations desiring to participate in those ceremonies should report to him. Numerous aides to the chief marshal were appointed; also the following pallbearers: Doctor John Andrews, Robert Neil, F. C. Kelton, John Field, Augustus Platt, Christian Heyl, E. W. Gwynne, W. B. Hubbard, Judge Taylor, John Brooks, William B. Thrall, D. W. Deshler, L. Goodale, Joseph R. Swan, William T. Martin, William M. Awl, G. W. Manypenny, John M. Walcutt, F. Stewart, John Noble, F. Jaeger, Senior, and Amos S. Ramsey. The Executive Committee comprised W. G. Deshler, C. P. L. Butler, James Patterson, S. N. Field, and F. Jaeger; the Finance Committee, B. Gilmore, Walstein Failing, Isaac Eberly and S. N. Field ; the Escort Committee, Samuel Galloway, L. Kilbourn, S. Loving, James Patterson, John Miller and Jacob Reinhard ; the Decoration Committee, D. S. Gray, A. B. Buttles and William Gaver ; the Musie Committee, A. B. Buttles, Rev. K. Mees, B. Gilmore and William Naughton; the Reception Committee, Walstein Failing, B. Gilmore, and J. E. St. Clair.


The order of procession announced that the funeral escort would consist of the Eightyeighth Ohio Infantry ; that army detachments and volunteer organiza- tions would wear sidearms only ; that the usual badge of mourning would be worn on the left arm and swordhilt; that the procession would be organized in five divisions ; that it would move from the railway station south on Fourth Street to Broad, east on Broad to Fourth, south on Fourth to State, east on State to Seventh, south on Seventh to Town, west on Town to High, and north on High to the West Front of the Capitol; and that a cavalry force would be suitably stationed to keep High Street north of Town clear of vehicles.


The funeral train quitted Cleveland precisely at midnight, and from that time until it reached Crestline was drenched with rain, falling in torrents. It was preceded by a pilot engine, the Louisville, under charge of Assistant Superinten- dent Blee and Master Mechanic W. F. Smith, with E. Van Camp as engineer and C. Van Camp as fireman. The engine of the train was the Nashville, George West engineer, and Peter Hugo fireman. Mr. T. J. Iliggin, superintendent of the tele- graph, accompanied the train with instruments for sending messages in case of accident or other need. Notwithstanding the darkness and rain, people gathered in crowds along the route, and, with lighted bonfires and torches, tolling bells and saddened countenances, manifested their deep sorrow. After daybreak-morning of the 29th-the demonstrations were more general, but not more impressive. At Cardington an immense crowd of citizens assembled, bells were tolled, minute guns were fired, and over the doors of the station building, dressed in crape, was


High


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stretched a white banner bearing the words : " He sleeps in the blessings of the poor, whose fetters God commanded him to break."


At the appointed hour the funeral train arrived at the Union Station at Columbus amid the ringing of muffled bells, and halted in such a position that the car containing the President's remains lay nearly accross High Street. An im- mense crowd of spectators had congregated about the station, and military bands discoursed solemn dirges while the coffin, attended by the pallbearers and Guard of Honor, was taken from the car and laid in the hearse. The procession then formed, and, according to contemporary description, was the most imposing and impressive which had ever been seen in Columbus. Let the accomplished pen of William T. Coggeshall describe its appearance and movements : ?


The hearse was the great centre of attraction. All along the line of march it was preceded by hundreds of all ages, sexes and conditions, striving to keep as near as possible to the sombre structure. It was 17 feet long, 83 feet wide and 17} feet from the ground to the apex of the canopy. The main platform was four feet from the ground, on which rested a dais for the reception of the coffin, twelve feet long by five wide, raised two and a half feet above the platform. The canopy resembled in shape a Chinese pagoda. The interior of the roof was lined with silk flags and the outside covered with black broadcloth, as were the dais, the main platform, and the entire hearse. Black cloth, festooned, depended from the platform within a few inches of the ground, fringed with silver lace and orna- mented with heavy tassels of black silk. Surrounding the cornice of the canopy were thirtysix silver stars, and on the apex and the four corners were five heavy black plumes. The canopy was appropriately eurtained with black cloth, lined with white merino. On each side of the dais was the word Lincoln in silver let- ters. The hearse was drawn by six white horses, covered with black cloth, which was edged with silver fringe. The heads of the horses were surmounted with large black plumes, and each was led by a groom dressed in black, with white gloves and white band round his hat. On the dais, nearly in the centre of the hearse, the coffin was placed, nearly in full view of the multitudes on the streets.


Every window, housetop, balcony, and every inch of the sidewalk on either side of High Street was densely crowded with a mournfnl throng assembled to pay homage to departed worth. In all the enormons crowd profound silence reigned. Conversation was carried on in whispers. The completeness of every detail of the procession was remarked by all, and much praise awarded to the com- mittee of arrangements. The display made by the various orders and associations in the procession elicited universal commendation. The Fire Department was the subject of especial notice and praise. The neat clean nniforms of the men, the splendid condition of the steamers and hosecarts, and the decorated car filled with fortytwo young ladies habited in deep mourning, were among the notable incidents of the day. A very impressive feature of the occasion was the singing by the young ladies in the mourning ear of the Fire Department of the 1027th hymn of the Methodist Episcopal collection, commencing with : "Great Ruler of the earth and skies," and the 1018th hymn : " Behold, O Lord, before thy throne."


Along the entire line of march, dwelling houses, shops, stores, and other places of business, as well as all public buildings, were tastefully and solemnly decor- ated. . .. The great feature of the decoration was found at the clothinghonse of Marcus Childs in the Neil House building. Thousands of persons were attracted by the beauty and appropriateness of the designs and the very elegant manner in which they were carried out. At the base of the front windows a draped portrait of Mr. Lincoln was exhibited, and each doorway was hung in heavy festoons of black cloth. Over all a draped flag was extended.


O.S. Peter


See pages 323 and 844; and page 919, Vol. I.


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The west gateway of the Capitol Square was arched and bore the simple inscription Ohio Mourns. The columns at the West Front of the Capitol were tastefully draped in spiral turns of mourning cloth from top to bottom. Imme diately over the entrance (west front) was placed the inscription, God Mores in a mysterious way, and over the cornice of the columns was placed a quotation trom President Lincoln's inaugural address : With Malice to none, with Charity for all. Each of the windows in the west front was heavily draped.


About nine o'clock the head of the procession arrived at the west entrance of Capitol Square. The Eightyeighth Ohio Infantry, acting as a special escort, passed in immediately, forming lines in two ranks on each side of the passway from the gate to the steps of the Capitol. During the momentary delay the silence and deep feeling manifested by the people in the procession, by those crowding the streets in every direction and by those gazing from every available window was without precedent. . . . As the coffin, borne upon the shoulders of eight of the sergeants constituting the Veteran Guards, passed towards the arch- way, the bands gave expression to the solemn emotions of the hour in a dirge. . . . Slowly and solemnly the escort, headed by General Hooker and staff and Gov- ernor Brough and staff, passed to the Capitol entrance and reverently the coffin was lowered from the shoulders of the veterans to the flowery bed awaiting it. The officers named, with their attendants, Major-General Hunter and staff, the gen- eral officers in charge of the corpse from Washington, General Wager Swayne and staff, the pallbearers and members of committees, assumed their proper places around the catafalque with uncovered heads; the guard from the Veteran Reserve Corps formed in line on each side, and as soon as the corpse was in place, Rev. C. E. Felton offered an appropriate prayer. Impressive as was the scene, it was sur- passed by the one that followed immediately on opening the coffin. Amid silence almost painful the lid was raised-a sigh from those present -a slight movement by the undertaker-and for minutes all was again as still as death. The veteran officers and soldiers, with bowed heads, seemed immovable as statues, unconscious- ly every face mirrored the contending emotions of the heart and the grouping around the dead of citizens and soldiers, seen by those forming the head of the procession at the foot of the western stairway formed a scene never to be forgot- ten, and not to be described. Mrs. Hoffner, representing the Horticultural Society of Cincinnati, the only lady present, stepped softly forward and placed at the foot of the coffin an anchor composed of delicate white flowers and evergreen boughs, a wreath of the same upon the breast of the dead and a cross at the head. Instruc- tions were given more by signs than words, and arrangements made for the people to look upon the remains.


The rotunda of the capitol, well calculated for display, grand in its loftiness and much the resort of our people, was transformed into a gorgeous tomb. The column of light streaming down from the lofty dome made distinct and impressive each feature of the solemn scene below. There was no stiffness to jar with softened feeling. . .. The entrance ways and the corresponding panels were uniformly draped with black cloth falling in heavy folds from the arches to the floor. In the panels the drapings were gathered to the sides equidistant from arch to floor and then allowed to fall in full volume and closing at the bottom as at the top. In three of these central spaces thus formed were gronped the warworn battle flags of veteran Ohio regiments. In the other panels, the one between the north and east entrances, tastefully mounted and appropriately draped, was Powell's painting, Perry's Victory. . . . Above the panels, entirely round the dome, were three rows of festoons with black and white pendants, the whole joining appropriately the general drapings below.


On a platform with the base of 213 x 28 feet, rising by five steps until it presented a top surface perhaps onchalf as large, was placed the dais for the recep-


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tion of the coffin. This platform, tastefully carpeted, the rise of each step dressed in black, was ornamented with emblematical flowers and plants in vases so arranged as to present with their impression of beauty, the sorrow for the dead. At the corners facing the west entrance were large vases containing beautiful specimens of amaranth, and midway between them a grand central vase glowing with the richness and beauty of the choicest flowers of the season. A similar disposition of vases faced the east entrance, from the corner ones the flowers of the emblematical Justitia reaching to the height of the dais. Around these large vases were grouped smaller ones, rising in gradations of beauty with the steps of the platform. The dais was most properly the crowning beauty of the structure, and in a brief description it is impossible to do it justice. Rectangular in form, with a side elevation of two feet, it was without canopy and beautifully oramented. The sides were covered with black broadcloth, over which drooped from the top festoons of white merino and tassels of white silk. The end facing the west entrance bore, inscribed on a black panel with white border, in silver letters, the word " Lincoln." From the festoon- ing at the top, rose in graceful swell a bed of white roses, immortelles and orange blossoms, the pure white relieved only by the deep fresh green of the leaves and sprigs accompanying.


The Guard of Honor was relieved by the following named officers, acting in the same capacity and under the immediate charge of Colonel J. A. Wilcox and Major L. S. Sullivant : Captain Donglas, 13th O. V. E .; Captain Stivers, U. S. A .; Cap- tain Walker, 5th O. V. C .; Captain A. T. Wikoff, 91st O. V. I .; Captain MeGroat ; Captain Hull, 18th O. V. I .; Captain H. P. Wands, 22d Michigan ; Captain Davis, 18th O. V. I .; Captain Hannal, 124th O. V. I .: Lieuteant Horringer, Second O. V. C .; Lieutenant J. H. Orr, 109th O. V. I .; Lieutenant H. B. Freeman, 18th O. V. I .; Adjutant D. C. Patrick and Lieutenants J. B. Dague, G. I. Davison, J. D. Wilson and Norris Killen, of the 88th O. V. I.


The officers, pallbearers and committees after looking upon the remains retired, excepting those having the body in charge. The officers forming the guards were assigned their positions, and without delay the people commenced moving into the rotunda. First came the various military organizations of the procession, the men formed in four ranks, marching without noise upon a carpet to the catafalque, passing by twos on each side of the coffin - the face and upper part of the body being brought in full view of each individual-and then those on the right passing out at the south and those on the left turning to the north. Then followed in order the various delegations of the procession, succeeded by the people en masse ; the same order being preserved throughout the day.


By actual count it was found that over eight thousand passed in and out every hour from half after nine until four o'clock, and, making due allowance, 'tis thought that over fifty thousand people viewed the remains in that time. The unparalleled good order prevailing at all times must remain ever a source of pride to all participating.




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