Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-21
WHO IS GIRBs?

1t viii be remembered that Presi.
dent Grant a few &eeks since appointed
one Richard Gibbs Minister to Peru.
Upon the announcement Of this APP
pointment there was a unaAimous IN
terrogation went up from the press:
Who is Gibbs? As it was not known
that the President had any relations Of
that name, the wonder grew. There
syas especial CONSERVATION and dismay
lin the usually all-informed pFess Of
New York city. The clergy did not
know hiu, it was reported. Morrissey
said no man Of that name ever called
for a stack Of red checks In his bank.
The Sun reportorial corps interviewed
every b~ar-kecper IN the city, but with
out enlightening effect. The Ne1V York
Times SAID: I'VE have not been able to
learn anything whatever Of Mr.. Gibbs,
the new Minister to Peru" The NeU
Orleans Times says that the New York
press talked Of a joint stock expedition
to find Gibbs at any cost, a Ia Living
stone. But the NcU Orleans Times has
doubtless given the clue by which
the distinguished unknown can be
found. 1t says:
We think we know Gibbs. In Is,
well, a year or two after the war, aspe-
cial Treasury agent called upon Us 10
INQUIRE where certain sIX-pOund guns,
formerly the property Of the COnfed-
eracy, were hidden, but latterlBbelOng-
inc to one of Forests batteries.
Gibbs was peculiar in his personal
appearance. A clean shirt would have
so disguised him that his best friend
would never have known him. His
nose was the color Of a ripe Turkish
fg; IN fact, his appearance led us to
suspect he was OF incorporate habits.
He was inclined 70 blow around, and
was a fierce looking little man, about
five feet five inches II height, and very
fat. He informed the writer that "the
strong arm Of the GOyyrmenS was his
shield" and asked if we had any
whisky In the house. We had, and O..
incontinently took the best part Of a
pint bottle at one draught. He winked
and said if we knew Of any cotton
around loose, there was a big thing III
it, and he would divide. Unfortunate
", we could give him no information.
After finishing the whisky, he said
he had TO drink j. good deal, for fear
he might get snake bitten in the
swamps, and whisky was certain cure.
He gave US a card, upon which was IN
scribed the name Of Richard Gibbs,
and this legend, Special United States
Treasury agent for the recovery Of cot
ton and abandoned property Of the
COnfederacY." He then cleared out.
but we have his card yet. May be he
might give us a place, now that he is
promoted. The above information
IS at the service Of our New York con-
i~emporaries, and fit shall bethe means
Of unearthing Gibbs, then will the ed
itorial heart Of the Times thrOb with
qualification that this imperfect remi-
uiscence Of D Of our distinguished
men has brought 10 notice some Of his
most admirable traits. II Richard Is
himself. IN this case, the country will
thank US; if not, the Gibbs family Will
be under lasting obligations to US for
having boosted Il Of the number,
high up the ladder Of Immortality.
Such Is fame. May Gibbs long live
10 deal IN Peruvian bark, q|uinine and
guano. BY this time the New York
papers have doubtless discovered that
the appointment Of Gibbs is another
case Of brother-inlaw he bearing that
relation to Grants chum, Tom Murphy.