The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-09-13
Correspondence Of the New York Tribune
sketch of Gem'l Grants Early
Career.
GALENA, ILL.,, Aug. Is. 1856

GALENA, ILL.,, Aug. 1s, 1865.
have wonderful and true story to tell
Galena has about 5000 inhabitants II is l6
miles from Dunleith, on the Mississippi, the
terminus of the main line of the Illinois
Central, and is on this road. In a very early
day lead first was discovered here by the In
dams, who wanted il for bullets. They had q
rude way of smelling it. As the country
settled, miners came in, and the town began
to grow Lead is found in every direction
for many miles. The river, which is naviga-
BILE, is bordered with many hills; here lead
is found; everywhere one sees dirt thrown
up, either recently or long ago.
About fifteen years ago Gen. Grants father
established a leather house here, under the
firm of Collins & Co. The leather was tan
ned at Covington, Kentucky, and sent hither
The firm did well. and ii is understood made
a fortune. The firm was dissolved, and a son
came on to conduct the business, but in about
two years he died Of consumption. He was
well liked, and was an excellent business
man.
Meanwhile, Ulysses Grant, having grad,l-
ated at West Point, went into the Mexican
war. where he distinguished himself in every
battle except one, when he was not present,
that was fought; thence he went to Oregon,
and acted as Captain in the Quartermasters
Department. Eleven years since he resigned
his commission. and went to ST. Louis, where
he had some interest in piece of land, and
l was told he was engaged in hauling wood
to market, himself driving his own oxen
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 to tell
hard story. Statements previously made
about Gen. Grant will be blown away. Many
young man on reading what follows will be
encouraged. | gather my account from the
most trustworthy sources.
Captain Grant, as he was called, found the
affairs of the concern in great disorder, but
he went to work, and, in three weeks, had
everything straight. There was one clerk
beside himself, and generally more or less
hired men, As this was the only establish
ment of the kind in the place, the trade of
which is large, there was much business to
do. Capt. Grant was not remarkable as q
salesman, but he was good to oversee and to
manage. Generally, he bought the hides as
they were brought to the store in country
wagons He took them in himself That he
might not dirty his clothes, he had short
leather apron, which he always wore. Those
not acquainted mistook him for the porter
In this way. here in the city Of Galena, he
toiled on for two long years. He was EN-
ployed at $40 month. The intention on the
part Of his father was, after while, to es-
tablsh him in the business, but he was ex-
pected to live on $3.50 year. To do this,
and to live in society, is impossible. Every
thing mnst be cheap and plain. Sometimes
his wife had a hired girl, but usually she did
her own work.
During these two years Capt. Grant made
very few acquaintance. There were plenty
Of business men on the street who did not
know him, and who never heard his name
spoken. Ipresumc it would be easy to num-
Der his associates on ones fingers. have
heard business men say they never heard Of
him until he was put in command at Cairo.
On his arrival here to-day, the vast majority
Of the citizens Of Galena are able to recog-
nize him only by his portraits, and yet this is
the only home he has.
A few knew him intimately. Among these
WAS II. II. Houghton, editor Of the Gdlena
Gazette, for over thirty years. Mr.. Hough-
ton learned most Of the Captain from his
father, and he came to admire and respect
him; in fact, he had studied him. Hon. e.
B. Washburne partly knew him, and became
one Of the best friends he had on earth.
These two years were years of trial and
Encouragement. In fact, the Captain came
hither from st. Louis in great degree dis
hcartened, still he would not give up. He is
described as broken-down man. This an
ecdote is related: During the great deprccia-
ton in currency, Capt. Grant bought pork
Of the farmers to send east to get New York
exchange. One day some farmers sold him
their pork; they inquired where they could
get gold; they must have it to pay taxes.
The clerk in the house would sell il for GER
tain figure: Capt. Grant said he believed
this was too much; he did not know exactly
what it ought to be, but he advised them to go
to the bank and inquire. The result was that
the farmers saved $l2. That was the style
Of the man.
At this same time, Capt. Grant was drawn
beyond his expenses, though this was not as
certained till the end Of the year. He could
not live on $40 month. He seldom went
abroad. A few near neighbors were all he
visited; here he would sit and smoke his
pipe. His conversation WAS varied, but he
liked to talk ON the Mexican war. Mostly
he was man Of silence. Mr.. Washburnc
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