The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-10-26
THE LITTLE COTTAGE BY THE SEA.

| THE LITTLE COTTAGE BY THE SEA.
A correspondent of a Chicago jour-
nal makes the following statement as
to how the President possessed of that
cottage by the sea, at Long Branch.
OF the three donors Of this very
handsome recognition of General
Grants services to his country, Mr..
Murphy, known for short as Hon
est Tom Murphy" is collector OF
customs at the port of New York,
and against whom some damaging
charges have recently been made by
the great and good Horace Greeley;
Mr.. John Hoey is. superintendent of
the Adams Express Company and
Mr.. John Chamberlin formerly lived
in st. Louis, where, the Dispatch says,
he exhibited the royal Bengal tiger
every evening to a select circle of cit
liens. His talents demanding wider
field, he removed himself and them to
New York about the beginning of the
war, since which fortune has followed
John faithfully, until he is, perhaps
the king pin of gay gambolters. After
reading the following, who win say
that republics are ungrateful:
A cottage worth $4,000 was pre-
pared for Gen. Porter. the presidents
confidential private secretary, at Long
Branch by Murphy Large supplies
of liquOas and cigars were at the same
time forwarded to the White House
at Washington by different members
of the Murphy ring. but paid for
mostly by Murphy himself. These
Injuries were sent to Grant and Por-
ter and Babcock. Just now a plan
was hit upon by Murphy, in consulta-
ton with two real estate SPECTATORS
in Long Branch property-both DEM
ocrats-which proved a fortune. 1t
was to buy a lot and build cottage
for Grant at a point adjoining their
property. IF he accepted it, and they
knew that he would, two things would
be accomplished. The fact that the
national executive mansion wonld be
established at this place during the
summers would greatly enhance the
valne of all the property at the Branch,
and especially that surrounding the
presidents residence. The other
point to be gained, if Grant accepted
the house and lot, and they knew that
he would, was that it would place him
under special obligation to Murphy,
who was to be known for the time be-
ing as the sole donor. This would
settle the matter of the custom house
and secure it to Murphy. The cottage
was not long in making its appearance.
1t cost Thomas Murphy $4,000, John
Hoey $4,000, and John Chamberlain
$4,000. Murphy was then Tamma-
ny yloffice-holder, and owner of q cot
tage and large amount of real estate
at Long Branch. He was an Andrew
jackson democrat, member or the
arm-in arm convention In Philadelphia
in 1866, and voted for Hoffman against
Fenton for governor. Mr.. Hoey is
the well-known superintendent of the
Adams expires company, large oper-
ator in and owner of real estate, es-
pecially at Long Branch, where he
supports the most magnificent country
seat, with spacious parks, and lawns,
aud herds, and drive-ways and turn
outs, that were ever witnessed. He
has always been q democrat, is q
thorough business man, genial gem
tleman, who made the investment re-
ferred to as speculation, and to
please his neighbor and friend, Tom.
Murphy. Mr.. Chamberlain keeps the
fashionable gentlemen's club at the
Branch, where the game of chance
often involves in a single night the
sum of one hundred thousand dollars. !
Chamberlain Is shrewdJ man. He
argued thus /" Grant is fond of
horses and races. will invest in his |
cottage, and build q race-course at the
Branch. Ny property there will in |
crease in value if Grant goes there, |
because he will carry large crowd
with him. Besides, the class that fol-
low him, such as Ingalls,, Nesmith and !
others, like to fight the tiger, play |
poker, etc." John invested, and pro-
ceeded at once to, Jay out and construct |
the Monmouth Park, now one of the
finest race-courses in the country
Suffice it to say that Grant accepted |
the cottage, as everybody knows, and |
has occupied 1t In some shape ever
since. Porter occupies his house
when he is at the Branch. Both cot
tages are kept we'll supplied with the
choicest wines, liquors and cigars from |
New York. sea ~. 3-it |