The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-19
Gen. Grants school Days.
OF THE OLD LOG
SCHOOL HOUSE CLERNONT COUN-
TY, OHIO.

Away up in small hollow, Just
this side of Amelia, in Clermont
county, there stood, few years ago,
an old school house, weather-beaten
tumble-duwn, and disused, which the
old inhabitant pointed out as the
place where Ulysses 5. Grant receiv-
ed his early education. The build
ing has since been terra down, we be-
lieve, but there are recolleclions con
nected with it which have become of
historical interest since Headley' :
Hero Boy" has figured so largely in
the history Of his country.
Nobody thought when Grant was
a boy" said an old citizen of Cler-
mont county, Who attended this
school at the same time the President
did, that be would ever amount to
much. The most promising boy in
school at that llme was one named
Henry Wattey. He was at the head
of the class in mathematics, geogra-
ply, spelling and all other studies,
and everybody prophesied great
things of him; but he is nov running
a forty acre farm up in Warren coun-
ty."
How did Grant average in his
studies?"
Only middling He would never
be called dull, but be was never bril-
liant. He used to spend great deal
of his time in reading the life of
Napoleon, which interfered consider
ably with his school duties, until the
teacher destroyed that book by put
ting it into the stove"
Was he punetual in his atten-
dance?"
VERY. He never stayed away
from school unless compelled to by
circumstances. He was never late.
either, but was among the first to
reach the schoolhOuse 10 the morn
ing"
Was be a noisy boy?"
"No, sir. Although courteous to
every body, be was not loud -mouthed,
like the other boys, but spoke in
low and quiet tone of voice, with
unusual dignity for one of lis years. "
I'VE always called bin Hiram at
school," continued the old stager.
Nobody ever thought Of calling him
Ulysses, and after the capture of
Vlcksburg, when we had not heard
from him for years, a great many of
US did not know or even imagine thar
it was the boy who ased 10 go to the
old log sehoOl-house in the hollow"
WAS Grant playful boy?"
"Not by any means. You never
could get him to take part in any
game or sport except SNOWFALL fight.
In that be delighted But as far as
hull PEN or ball playing was con
cerned, be would never take any part,
but would sit on a fence or stump
and look on?"
During his school days did be
ever exhibit signs of the persevering
spirit for which be has since become
noted"
"I cannot remember but one occa-
sion, and this was when the school
master aogged him to make him Civ,
up a jaeknife, with which be had
been cutting the side of his desk. The
schoolmaster demanded the knife,
but Grant refused to give it up. The
teacher tried to take it away, but
could not do ii. He then sent Oul
into the woods and got a long, black
hickory switch with which be bella
bored the future President to make
him surrender the knife. But Grant
persistently declined, and at last the
pedagogue was forced to stop from
sheer exhaustion, This instance
was forcibly recalled to mind when
he made the famous remark: Il will
tight il out on this line If 1t takes all
summer and by many other similar
incidents in bis future career.
al saw Grant when he was here
at the Burnet House in 1872" con
tinued our interviewer, land he was
the first to recognize me and to give
me cordial hand shake. He even
cane through "a large crowd OF Dig
nitaries to shake hands with an OLD
schoOlmate."