The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-09-07
Sketch Of Gen. Grants Early CarGGF-Hil
Return TO His Early Home.

ECorresp oEdence ofthe Ns@ Yor, Tribune.1
GALENA, ILL.,, Aug. is, 1865.
| have "a wonderful and true story TO tell
Galeua has about 5000 inhabitants. Ii j
16 miles from Duuieith, on the Mississippi
the terminus Of the main line Of the Illinois
Central, and is on this road In very
early day lead first was discovered here by
the Indians who wanted it for bullets
They had a rude way Of melting it. a
the country settled, miners camein, and thc
town began to grow. Lead is found in every
direction for many miles.
The river which is navigabIe, is bordereC
with many hills; here the lead is found
everywhere one sees dirt thrown no, eithei
recently or long ago. In other letters
vii speak at large Of these mines Tx
town is on both sides of the river. Main
street is about mile long, well built, but
it so crooked one can see ahead but a short
distance. Back Of this street, and 200 feet
above it, are very many handsome residea-
ces, and across the river are other streets,
broken by hills and gulIeys.
About fifteen years ago Gen. Grants IA
Their established leather house here, under
the firm Of Collins & Co. The leather was
tanned at Covington, Kentucky, and Sent
hither. The firm did well, and it is under
stood made their fortune. The firm was
dissolved, and a son came on to conduct tht
business, but III about two years he dice
of consumption. lie was well liked, anC
was an excellent business man.
Meanwhile, Ulysses Grant, having gradu
ated at West Point, went into the Mexican
war, where he distinguished himself in ev
cry battle except one, when be was no
present, that was fought thence he wen
to Oregon, and acted as Captain in tn,
Quartermaster's Department. Eleven year.
since he resigned his commission, and wen
to st. Louis, where he had some interest il
piece Of land, and | was told he engaged
in hauling wood to market, himself driving
his ownoxen.
On the death Of his brother, his father en-.
gagged him to come hither, and take charge
OF the store. Now | come TO mention
things never before related. Now | have
10 tell hard story. Statements previously
made about Gen Grant will be blown away
Many young man on reading what fol
lows will be encouraged. | gather my &C
count from the most trustworthy sources
Captain Grant, as he was called founc
.he affairs of the concern in great disorder
but he went to work, and in three weeks
had everything strait. There was one clerL
besides himself, and generally more or les.
hired men. AS this was the only establish
ment of the kind in the place, the trade 0
which is large, there was much business t.
do. Capt Grant was not remarkable as {
salesman, but he was good to oversee anC
to manage. Generally, he bought the hide
as they were brought to the store in coun
Il II
That he might not dirty his clothes, he ba,
a short leather apron, which he AWAY
wore. Those not acquainted mistook hin
for the porter. In this way, here in tn,
city of Galena, he toiled on for two Ions
years. He was employed at $40 month
The intention on the part Of his father was
after a while, to establish Linn in the bust
ness, but he was expected to live on $48
year. To do this and live in society,
impossible. Everything must be chea,
and plain. Sometimes his wife had hire
girl, but usually she did her own work.
During these two years Capt Grant mad
very few acquaintance. There We're man
business men on the street who did no
know him, and who never heard his nam
spoken. presume it would be easy t
number his associates en- ones FINGER.
have heard business men say that they ney
er heard Of him until he was put in CON
mand at Cairo. On his arrival here to-da
the vast majority of the citizens Of Galeu
are able to recognize him only by bis pol
traits. and yet this is the only home he hai
A few know him Intimately Anon
these was H. Il. Houghton, editor of I'll
Galena Ga s,,5 for oyer 80 years. Nj
Houghtou learned most of the Captain frol
his father and he came to admire and r.
sneot him; in fact, he had studied him.
Hon. h. Il. Washburn partly knew hin
and became one of the best friends be hi
on earth.
These two years were years of trial al
discoura cement. Ia fact, the captain can
from st. Louis in great degcee disheal
eued, still he would not give up. He is d
s,libed as broken down man This a
1iecdotc is related Duriug the great d
probation Of currency. Capt Grant bong
pork Of tie farmers to send East to get Ne
York exchange. One day some farme
sold him their pork; they inquired whe
they could get gold; they must have it
pay taxes, The clerk in the house won
sell it for certain figure; Capt Grant sa
he believed this was too much; he did Il
know exactly what it ought to be, but
advised them to go to the bank and inuuil
The result was that the farmers saved 81
That was the style of the man.
At this same time, Capt Grant was draw
beyond his expenses, though this was n
ascertained till the end of the year. |
could not live on $40 month. He seldo