The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-07
SELLING THE TRADERsBIPS.
Orvil Grant Interested with Beiknap-Inves-
tigate Fort buford.

Fran ne Erenfn0 Pon. March o.
The st. Louis Times today publishes on
the authority Of a man who has been engaged in
frontier trading for the past eighteen years some
very interesting facts connected with that bust
ness lie says that Oryil Grant, the brother of
the President, has been interested with Belknap
in disrosing Of the trading posts for money. Or
vii Grant, shortly after the appointment Of Bel
knap ~ Secretary Of War VISITED most Of the
licenses issued by Secret'ry Rawlins Durfee
ana Peck, two Government tr importation
AGENTS on the frontier, held the principal sutler-
ships al this time, and we're astouished Il the
unexpected change Mr.. Peck Investigated the
matter. and found Owl Grant lad full authority
from the secretary OF war 70 diapose OF all
trading posts ~ he thought Ut. Mr.. Peck ap-
Iled 10 own Grant Tor authority 10 retain GER
tam posts where his nrm had invested large
sums OF money in buildings and goods. and he
would agree to II only on ierm- OF so much cash
down aud certain share 81 The profits pre-
cleely the same arrangement that ext ted he
tween Masrh md Evans * Co. at Fort sill. Peck
refused to comtl, with these terms. and Others
received the appointments at Fort Butord aud
4. {. Leighton was appointed suffer upon the
terms proposed bv orvil Grant. but the bonus
required vs. 50 large that he lost money, and
subsequenily offered to sell to ID .rfee peck.
h latter greed 10 buy, but LeHhton had first
TO obtain permission TO sell from Orvil Grant.
Tnis the later refused and made easier terms
The Fort sully leadership was taken from
Durfee Peck and gwen TO John T. Athey.
Athev paid all the money he had TO get the
1 Ost. aud was Obliged to axe terms with Dur
fee & Peck to man ge and run II. The latter
nrm leased from him ana carried on the uusi-
ness for We r. when the profits accrung to
Athey enabled him TO manage the business
himself.
Durfee & Peck had the leadership az Fort Sill.
but II was gwen 10 Evans x CO. Durfee q PECK
httemrte to carry on business 10 opposition to
Ev ns X Co., but the officers Of the post were
forbidden to give the soldiers orders on any
arm but Evans a Co., and they were forced 10
abandon the post. Oryil Grant went so far In
his Opposition to Durfee x Peck that he forbade
those TO whom he gave appointments to p r
chase the goods or buildings belonging to that
hrm. Orvil Grant also h1d an Arrangement with
tue Interior DEPARTMENT by which ne controlled
many of the Indian trading posts. Those ne dis
posed Of In the same manner as the su.lerships--
to the highest bidder.
OrNl Grant was Ia the habit OF visiting the
military posts and Indian trading stations every
year 10 collect money due HIM and his partner
Belknap, aud for ttis purpose he hac authority
from Secretary Belknap to draw upon any mill
tary posts for am0ulances, teams, and such aid
Us he might require. Ills authority W = general.
ly recognized. and he was greatly feared all along
the frontier.
The authority for these statements is DIT
Terry, who h neen for MANY years past active
ly connected with the hrm Of Durfee x Prck
and wno hos spent much of his life on the iron.
tier. He saws that the Congressional Committee
Will open up rich lead II they will investigate
affairs at Fort Buford.