The New York herald., 1876-03-09
GRANT IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH
POST TRADERS.
HOW THE PHILADELPHIA POST TRADERsHIPs WERE
mn.

HOW THE PHILADELPHIA POST TRADERsHIPs WE'RE
sEcUBED-NTERvIEws AT LONG BRANCH.
From the Philadelphia Times March
gentleman we'll known in business circles, whose
name, II given, would OF Itself be guarantee Of his
veracity, and who is ready to appear when wanted,
yesterday visited by Times reporter, who OBJ
tanned from HIM the following statement
orville Grant and Casselberry we're in business to-
geher before the OF 1874 having been engaged
in enterprise at Bristol Pa, called the FranKlnite
Company, started for the purpose OF smelling zinc ores
The concern 1zzed out TO the great loss of its
creditors Then that Orville suggested to Casse
berry the trading post business and at Casseberrys
instance, Bonnafon taken in with them. Not
whsanding the separate denals by the trio Of their
visits the President at Long Branch in the summer
1874 1t is fact that they did all visit him there at
least twice and II believed oftener II shortly
alter this, acknowledged by orville Grant TO the
Times reporter Monday, that Durfee 4 Peck were
deprived OF their posts on the Missouri River
The Times informant continued:-"Alter that Bon
nafon went once that know OF to Washington TO see
tho President but Cassolberry went there frequently,
and in addition corresponded with the President per-
sonay. The OF these visits and this correspon
dence hitch OF some kind IN getting rid OF Durlee
Peck, even alter their dismissal from their appoint
mens That the President wrote auographic letters TO
Casselberry frequently is well known To all who visited
his ONCE with whom he terms of intimacy, he be-
ing naturally proud OF being such close with the
head OF the government and he appeared to be on even
confidential terms with the President than was
orvie on whose discretion the President appears to
have placed but little reliance still Casseberry some
how couldn't get things arranged and got very much
disheartened aud talked of throwing the matter mp,
when in the early part OF 1875 he received letter
when, with than usual PRIDE he exhibited to his
conreres. Ii signed by the Presidents own hand
headed My dear friend Casseberry,' and requested
Casselberry to and see him at in reference
TO that business in the West
'Casselberry at started for Washington, and
his return was highly elated, saying that now the mat
ter all fixed In the spring of 1875 Bonnafon
visited ST. Joseph Mo-, Tor the purpose OF finally ix-
accomplishing his mission, he, with Casseberry ard
Orvilc Grant subsequently started West and finally
made arrangements which resulted IN their obtaining
the control of the business at Fort Stevenson aud
Standing Rock During the trip the party visited the
other posts on the Missouri River and Fort Sill and
Others having their hats chalked travelling at gov
ernment expense, drawing government ratons aud
using government Transportation The statement by
Orville Grant that he had no interest In the Fort
! Stevenson post, being mentioned, tho gentleman
! laughed heartily and said:-"rhat is simply
nonsense He and Casselbcrry and Bonnafon
! interested In both posts As To his having
put several thousands Of dollars with Cassebery in the
Standing Rock agency, that is ridiculous Why, he
had cent 10 put in. Why, his notes are all
over town. J. Alexander Simpson holds one for $500
that he stuck with, and could name dozen
Others To tell you the truth, he continued Orvile
Grant is good Jolly fellow and full of horse talk and
when you say that you say ALL He has had the chance
since his brother has been President TO make dozen
fortunes. but everybody who takes him soon drops
him. because he indscrcet that he would get any
body who held on TO him In trouble He has certainly
been making more money out OF these trading posts
than he ever before in his life HIS statement to
OF reporters Monday about his poor profits
is simply absurd, for | know OF gentleman OF this
city Offering $50 900 10 be let IN with Casscberry and
Bonnaton in the summer of 1875, but was refused "
THIS much was obtained from this gentleman and yet
there are still fields TO bo reaped