The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-14
A Visit to the Mother Of stephen A.
Douglas.

SPRINGS, N. r., July D, 1890
Passing day here, was glad 10 accept the offer by
resident of the village OF Introduction tc the family
Hezekiah Granger Mr. Granger many years ago married
the widow Of Dr. Douglas OF Brandon, VI, aud the
Their OF stephen A Douglas, the democratic candidate for
The residence OF the venerable but most agreeable
Hotel ''''' 'O''" u '' 0'''''' sp''"s'
Tue family consists Of Mr. and Mrs Granger the son
Julius N. Granger, Esq and his wife An unusual rela
tonshp exists between the older aud the younger
RED couples The elder Granger married the mother Of
his sons Wife the latter being the only sister Of stephen
A. Douglas The younger Mr. Granger absent al the
time Of my visit He was daily expected here with Mf.
The and elegance OF the residence outside and
the grounds well reflected by the taste aud order
which made the cheerful fire in the paror 10 which toe
servant conducted W, the more pleasant. Among the
wall adornmens, nt though few not surpr ised
To md very elegant steel plate engraving OF the Little
Giant
The 6rst Of the household to meet the younger
Nfs Granger. she IL lady Of forty years,
plished, and OF intelligent and agreeable discourse 1t
apparent that she bad ast pride and interest the
and fame OF her distinguished brother In the
course 81 the conversation she remarked that the family
had Of istc received many letters nqurng whether this
or that tact stated o.: Sir Douglas early history was
true, H, indeed, his mother very poor: ani II
young D. had been obliged 10 cabinet making for
his beard &c aud she said nauy anecdotes related
OF her brothers youthful days which she knew be
true The abinet maker story had this founda
aud no more;-Mrs Douglas, the mother, had both ibe
ton and 10 that eud kept him school The boy. tired
OF this importuned her TO allow him 1, learn trade,
pleading FaFtslity for cabinet making To "work Ia
wood was AT that time the only ambition that he knew
or felt Mrs ~ refused repeatedly, consented a. last
with the thought that the way the boys liking
for a tfade-ior which he was physically undt being
weak aud puuy--was put him az H. And the woman
foresight was not al fault Three months apprenticeship
In the shop suniced. Al the end Of that time be
TUNED to his mother, saying the work TOO hard Tor
him aud that with her consent, be would
school and remain there long she desired Tois lac
did aud when the widow Douglas became Mrs. Granger
and removed to Ontario county. stephen the
Canandagua Academy-au excellent nsttuiioa--as
boarding student and remained there until ut 70 enter
law Office.
He remained '.reading lswn At csnandaiyos long
be could restrain his inpssenee 10 strike out aud 'set
up Tor himself" Ambition, far more than necessity led
him 10 push 10 10 Illinois III health, brought
hc thought by too much study aud constitution which
nj that time appeared feeble also had noch TO do vita hs
That Mr.. Douglas when Young was sclfrciant and quite
disposed do for himself rather than have others DO r
him, would seem 10 be That HE selfrciiaace vas
from choice rather than necessity s all the moro cred,
bic 10 him But the stories of his having been
~ poor boy. deprived OF al early advantages w youth
&C supple exsggeratunsbe coinage Of elect opeef.
ing biographcrs aud other humbpgs.
Mrs. Granger, the mother OF Mr.. Douglas, - a very
active, sprighy and Intelligent lady. She told she
was over seventy had guessed her age from appearance.
younger 10 height she e not iye feet, and pro5a
bly, weighs less than one hundred rounds She said she
expected stephen almost every tram, but that u
altogether uncertain wien he woil y. Two years
ago. said she, "when we d!d bk FOR hin. be
dropped in ON Us aud made long vfaM he wrtes
when We may expect him. II Was quite evident the OH
lady fully understood the circumstances under which her
sou was running for the Presidency aud she seemed
assent n cf her husband that With the DEM
cratic party divided he stood chance Gle has always
told me said She Hthat he did not want to ran for the
Presidency, but that his friends pressing him 10 Do
fo.n (Thc "cd not want" fear a boys tale TO his
moher "If he could be elected che continued zone
fecd would come of 1.-The would stop making spceches
and save bis health She expressed dersbe fear Of
the Senators threat dsease and notherse appe arei
Tar more concerned about that than his political pros.
poets Of thing she felt entirely sare-fhat 10 be
beaten would no; hurt Der as all aud speak nu " AZ
tacks upon hm she good uaturcdy remarked she thought
The newspapers baf alfcdy said all the hsr-h things
they COUP of him. bis running Cor the Presidency
now could make no difference about that.
NJ Granger the step father Of Mr. douglas, is TALL
erect old gentleman OF eighty years With the exception
Of being little deaf he s In the enjoyment OF every
Guilty He came here from suifeld Com, ia 1900,
aud purchased tho noble farm (then wdcrncss) on
which he pow live He boasts that In all the changes
and revolutions OF politics he has always vet the demo
eiaiic ticket Himself and family enjoy the esteem and
love Of all their neiehbors.