The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-08
FRONTIER TRADING.

SOME REVELATIONS ON THE UBEcT-THE
FIRM OF BELKNAP AND GRANT-TEsTI-
MoNY OF ONE WHO HAS BEEN THERE
ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 5.-The Times
tomorrow will publish, on the authority
of a gentleman who has been en-
gagged in frontier trading for the
past eighteen years, some very
interesting facts connected with that bus
ness. He states that Orville Grant, the
brother of the president, has been inter
ested with Belknap in dispOsing OF the
trading posts TOR MONEY. Grant, shortly
after the appointment OF Belknap as secre-
tary of var, visited most of the
posts on the frostier and cancelled all
the LICENSES issued by Secretary Rawlins.
Durfee & Peck, extensive government
freighters and merchants on the frontier,
held the priRcipal sutlerships at this time
and were astonished at this unexpected
change. Mr.. Peck Investigated the mat
ter and found t1at Orviile Grant had full
authority from the secretary of war
TO dispose of all the trading
posts as he thought f.. Peck applied to
Grant for authority TO retain certain posts,
where his 6rm had invested large sums of
money in buildings and goods and he
would agree TO It only on terms otso
much cash down and certain
share of the profits, practically
the same arrangement that existed between
Marsh and Evans & Co. at Fort Sill. Peck
refused to comply with the terms and
Others received the appointments
at Fort Buford and Fort Peck.
A. G. Leighton was appointed sutler
upon the terms proposed by
Orville Grant, but the bonus required was
50 large that he lost money, and subse-
quently offered to Durfee & Peck. The
aUraad n IniOhfnn
first to obtain permission to sell from
Grant. This Grant refused, and made easier
terms with Leighton. The Fort sSully
leadership was taken from Durfee & Peck
and given to John T. Atney. Athey paid
ALL THE MONEY HE HAD
to get the post and was obliged to make
terms with Duriee 81 Peck to
run il. The latter firm lees ID
from him and carried on the business
for year, when the profits accruing to
Athey enabled him to run the business
himself Durfee d Peck had the trader
ship at Fort Sill, but 1t was
given to Evans * Co. Dnrfes il Peck ct
tempted to carry on business In opposition
to Evans 81 Co., but the officers OF
the post were forbidden to give the SOL
dies orders on any firm but Evans d
Co., and they were forced to aban-
don the post. Orville Grant went 50 far
in his opposition to Durfee & Peck that
he forbade those to whom he gave
appointments to purchase the goods or
buildings belongingito that firm. Grant
also had an arrangement with the in
terror department by which he controlled
many of the Indian trading posts. These
he disposed of in the same manner as the
sutlerships, to the highest bidder. Grant
was in the habit of visiting the military
posts and the Indian trading stations every
year to collect the money due him and bis
partner, Belknap, and tor this purpose he
mad authority from Secretary Belknsp to
draw upon any military posts for ambu-
lances, teams and such aid as he might re
quirs. His authority was generally recog
nized and he was greatly feared
all along the frontier. The su
thority for these statements Is Doctor
Terry, for many ytars past actively
connected with the firm OF Durfie Il Beck
and who has spent much OF his lite on the
frontier. He ssys the congressional com
mittee Will open mp q rich lead IL they
will investigate affairs at Fort Buford.