Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-06
kilograms to The Star.
THE BELKNAP BUSINESS.
CHARGES AGAINST oRvIlIe GRANT.
THE EMMA NINE SCANDAL.
An English Witness Coming.
TWO LITTLE GIRLS ABDUCTED.
THE FRENCH ELECTIONS.
THE SITUATION IN SPAIN.
THE EMMA NINE SCANDAL.
An English Witness Coming
TWO LITTLE GIRLS ABDUCTED.
THE FRENCH ELECTIONS.
The SITUATION IN SPAIN.
THE BELKNAP SCANDAL
what n hey saw Out We~s

NEW York. Marcn "A 81 Louis dis-
patch says: The ST. Louis Times publishss
on the authority OF man who has been en-
gagged In frontier trading for the past II years
some very interesting facts CONNECTED with
that bu siness. He says that Orvllle Grant,
brother of the President. has been interested
with Belknap in disposing OF The tradins
posts for money. Orvtlle Grant shortly aftrr
the appointment OF Belknsp a. Secretary of
War visited most OF the posts on the frontier
and cancelled all the licenses issued by Sec
Rotary Rswlips. Durfee aud Peck. two gov
eminent transportation agents on the from
tier, held the principal sutlerships At this
time, and were sstonished NJ the unexpected
change.
Mr.. Peck Investigated the matter and
found Orville Grant h q full authority from
the Secretary OF War 10 dispose OF ALI trad
ing posts he thought nj Mr.. Peck ar
piled 10 Orville Grant for authority % retain
certain posts where his rrm nad invested
large sums of morey In buildings aud goods,
and he would agree 20 it only on terms OF 80
much cash down and a certain share of the
profits,-precisely the same arrangement
that existed between Marsh and Evans a
Co. at Fort Sill Peck refused % comply
with these terms and others received the APP
pointments at Fort Bufoni and Fort Peck.
A. &. Leighton was appointed sutler upon
terms proposed by OrVille Grant. but the
bonus required was so large that he lost
money and subsequently offered 10 sell %
Durfee a Peck. The latter agreed 10 buy,
but Leighton had first 20 obtain permission
10 sell from Orvtlle Grant. This the latter
refused, and made easier terms with Leigh
ton. The Fort Sully trade ship was taken
from Durfee a Peck and given 10 John i.
Athey. Athey paid all the money he had Ia
get the post, and was obliged To make terms
with Durfee 4 Peck 10 manage aud run IL.
The latter firm leased from him and car
ried on the business for a year. when the
profits accruing TO Athey enabled him 20
manage the business himself Durfee A Peck
had the leadership at Fort Sill, but 40 was
given 20 Evans a Co. Durfee a Peck at
tempted 10 carry ON business I'm opposition
10 Evans Co, but the officers orders on
any firm but Evans 4 Co. were not collected,
and they had 20 abandon the post.
Orville Grant went so far in his opposition
whom he gave Appointments 10 purch ase the
goods or buildings belonging TO that nrm.
Orville Grant also had an arrangement with
the Interior department by which he con-
trolled many OF the Indian trading posts.
Those he disposed OF In the same manner a.
the sutlerships TO the highest bidder.
Orville Grant was in the habit OF visiting
the military posts and Indian trading sta
lions every year 10 collect money due him
and his partner, Belknap, and for this pur-
pose he had authority from Secretary Bel
KNAPP TO draw upon any military post for
ambulances, teams, and such aid as ne
might require. His authority was generally
recognized, and he was greatly feared ali
along the frontier.
The authority for these statements is Dr.
Terry, who has been for many years past
actively connected with the firm OF Durfee
Peck, and who has spent much OF his life
on the frontier. He says that the Congress
sional committee will open up rich lead IL
they Will investigate affairs al Fort Buford.