The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-03-09
or,Ill. Grant /. Partner of pelknap.

ST. Louis, March 5.-Thc Times TO-
morrow will publish, on authority of
a gentleman who has been engaged in
frontier trading for the past eighteen
years. some very interesting facts con-
nected with that business. lie states
that Orvills Grant. brother of the
President, has been Interested with
Belknap in disposing of the trading
posts for money. Grant. shortly alter
the appointment OF Belknap as Secre-
tary OF War, visited most oil the posts
on the frontier and Cancelled ali Ii
censes issued by Secretary RawIins.
DurIee u Peck, extensive Govermunru
| irelghIers and merchandlsers on the
frontier, held the principal -utiersn. ps
| at this time, and we're ustO. .sieu al
THIS uneX pected change. Mr.. Peck l.
vestigated the matter and found thar
Orville Grant had full authority from
the Secretary of War to dispose ol
all trading posts as he thought fit.
Peck applied to Grant for authority to
retain certain posts where his firm had
invested large sums of money in build
ings and goods, and he would agree
to it only on terms OF SO much cash
down and q certain share of the profits,
practically the same arrangement that
existed between Marsh and Evans Il
Co., at Fort Sill. Peck refused to
comply with these terms, aud others
received the appointments at Fort
Buford and Fort Peck. A. c. Leigh
ton was appointed Sutler upon the
terms proposed by OrvilIe Grant, but
the bonus required was So large that
he lest money and subsequently, offer
ell to sell to Durfee e Peek. The lat
ter agreed to buy, but Leighton had
first TO obtain permission from Grant
This Grant refused and made easier
terms with Leighton. The Fort Sully
leadership was taken from Durfee Il
Peck and given TO John r.. Athey.
Athey paid all the money he had TO
get the pOst and was obliged to max e
terms with Durfee II Peck 10 run il.
The latter firm leased from him and
carried Oh the business for a year,
when the profits accruing to Athey
enabled him to run the business him
self. Durfee & Peck had the trader
ship at Fort Sill, but it was given to
Evans e Co. Durfee 4 Peck attempt
ed TO carry on business in opposition
to Evans Il Co.. but the officers of the
Post were forbidden to give the SOL
diers orders OH any firm but Evans 81
Co., and they were forced to abandon
the Post. Orville Grant went so far
in his opposition to Durfee Il Peck
that he forbade those to who n he gave
appointments TO purchase goods or
buildings belonging to that .;rm.-
Grant also had An arrangement with
the In,eriar Department by which he
con;r ed many of the Iudian trading
posts. These he disposed of in the
same manner as the sutl rships, to the
hi2 hest bidder. Grant was in the
habit of visiting the military posts
and Indian trading stations every year
10 collect money due him a I'd his part
ner, Belknap, and for this purpose he
had authority to draw upon any mill
tary posts for ambulanc s, teams and
such aid as he might require. His au-
thority was generally recognized, and
he was greatly feared all along the
frontier. The authority for these state
ments is Doctor Terry, 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 the Congressional Committee will
open up rich lead if they will inves-
tlgate affairs at Fort BufOrd.