Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-07
The Presidents Brother.

The St. Louis Times says, on the authority
of man who has been engaged 10 frontier
trading for the past eighteen years, that Or
vile Grant, brother of the President has been
Interested with BeIkaap iu dsposiog OF the
trading posts for money. OrVile Grant, short,
ly after the appointment Of Bekoap as Score
tary of War, visited most of the posts on the
frontier and cancelled all the licenses issued BY
Secretary Rawlins Durfee and Peck, two
Government transportation agents on the from
tier, held the principal suterships at this time,
and we're astouished at the unexpected change.
Mr.. Peck Investigated the matter, and found
Orville Grant had full authority from the Sec
rotary of War to dispose of all trading posts as
he thought fit. Mr. Peck applied to Orvile
Grant for authority to retain certain posts
where bis firm bad invested large sums OF
money in buildings and goods and he would
agree to it only on terms of 80 much cash down
and a certain share of the profts-preoisely
the same arrangement that existed between
Marsh, aud Evans 4 Go. at Fort Sill. Peck
refused to comply with these terms, and others
received the appointments at Fort Buford and
Fort Peck.
A. C. Leighton wac appointed sutler upon
terms proposed by Orvlle Grant, but the bo.
nus required was 80 large that he lost money
and subsequently, offered to sell to Durfee Il
Peck. The latter agreed to buy, but Leighton
had first to obtain permission to sell from Or
vile Grant. This the latter refused, and made
easier terms With Leighton. The Fort SuIly
leadership was taken from Durtee Il Peck and
given to John t. Athey. Athey paid all the
money be had to get the post, ADD was obliged
to make terms with Durfee & Peck to manage
and run il.
The latter firm leased from him and carried
on the business for year, when the profits &C.
cruing to Athey enabled him to manage the
business himself. Durfee s. Peck had the trade
ersbip at Fort Sill, but it was given to Evans
4 Go. Durfee & Peck attempted to carry on
the officers orders 90 any firm but Evans y
Go. were not collected, and they had to abau-
don the post.
OrvilIe Grant went SO far in his opposition
to Durtee & Peck that be forbade those to
whom be gave appointments to purchase the
goods or buildings belonging to that firm. Or
Interior Department by which be controlled
many of the Indian trading posts. Those he
disposed of in the same manner as the suffer
ships to the highest bidder.
Orvie Grant was in the habit of visiting the
military posts and 1udisn trading stations every
year to collect money due him and bis partner,
Beknap, and for this purpose he had authority
from Secretary Be!knsp to draw upon any mil
itary post for ambuIances, teams aud such aid
as he might require. His authority was gene
rally recognized, and be was greatly feared all
along the frootier.
The authority for these statements is DR..
Terry, who has been for many years past &C
lively connected with the firm Of Durfee
Peck, and who has spent much OF his lite Gu
the frontier He says that the Congressional
Committee will open up rich lead if they will
investigate affairs at Fort Buiord.