Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-10-05
An Eccentric Governor.

a An Eccentric Governor.
Probably the oldest genius who ever
occupied a public position in Missouri
was the late Robert NJ. Stewart. He
was gifted with rare powers of oratory,
and .exerted strong influence wherever
his talent was known, In debate he was
invincible, while as a political manager
he was very influential. He lived in
St. Joseph, where he rose in political
power, and where, indeed, he may be said
to have fallen. The first President of
the Hannibal & st. Joseph Railroad, he
was called its father; not unjustly, either,
for he lent his whole energy to secure
its success, risking his fortune and de-
voting his time to the great work He
was elected Governor in 1857, succeed
ing Trusten Polk, who was elected in
| 1856, and was sent to the United States
Senate. In the campaign for the Gov
ernorship Stewart displayed most con-
spicuously his powers as debater on
the hustings. . Ea T. f.s''
But it is not as politician or public
man that bob Stewart" as he was
familiarly known, is to be considered in
this sketch, which is printed to portray
one characteristic of the man which will
give better idea of his private charac-
ter than any anecdote that has ever been
related of him. Rude in speech, uncouth
| in department, and in many respects un-
prepossessing, he had yet kindly heart,
whose impulses responded to the noblest
demands of natural affection.
When Doniphan's expedition was or.
| ganized to 90 through New Mexico and
cooperate with the main U. s. army in
its march upon the Halls of the Monte
zumas, in 1S47, Bob Stewart was mem
Der of company raised in Buchanan
County, and was elected to some subor-
dinate office. When four days out on
the plains march he met with an accident.
While in camp, in taking gun from the
wagon, the weapon was discharged, the
contents entering one of Stewards legs,
shattering bone and rendering him ut
terly unfit to GO on with the expedition.
One of the company, named William
Grover, was detailed to remain with the
wounded volunteer and attend him safely
back to his home. Grover watched over
his friend with the care of brother
The wound was very serious one, and,
without medical aid, the utmost watch
fulDess was necessary to get the patient
safely through. This was done, and
Grover endeared himself to Stewart most
effectively. Bob never forgot it. He
used to say: "Bill, never mind, old fell
lowi I'll pay you back some day! The
time will comer ..t-s..
The future Governor of Missouri little
dreamed of the fatal circumstances that
would bring around his chance to serve
his friend But the chance came at last.
All Missourians whose memories run
back twenty years will remember the ex-
citement incident to the settlement of
Kansas. During those stirring times a
man accused of being an abolitionist was
whipped to death on Prospect Hill, a
high promontory overlooking the Mis-
souri River on one side and the city OF
st. Joseph on the other. Three men were
engaged in the disgraceful work; and, al
though it was clear they had no inten'
ton of killing their victim, death re-
suited, and they were charged with mur
der. Two of them escaped. Bill Gro
er, the friend of Stewart, was arrested as
a participant in the crime, tried, con
victed and sentenced to the Penitentiary
for ten years. Not long after his convic
ton Stewart was nominated for Gov
ernor. He saw his friend just before he
was incarcerated, and said: "Bill, the
first think do after Pm inaugurated vii
be to pardon you out, and I'm sure to bC
elected" Well, the canvass was pret
ty warm one, but the Democratic major
ity was so large that less popular mar
than Bob Stewart would have had nj
difficulty in securing election. Bob wa
elected and inaugurated True to hi
word and the native instincts of graft
tude, he went to the Penitentiary and in
quired for Bill Grover. He was no
there-could not be found. His nam'
was on the rolls, but search in the prisol
failed to discover him. The though
rushed to the mind of the new GovernO
that his friend was dead, and his Who'll
frame shook with anxiety and dread
The idea that he had come too lat
seemed to Overpower him. He ordere,
an immediate and thorough search to b
made. This resulted in the finding o
one of the subordinate officials, who CAV
the information that William Grover wa
Z one of detail called out to dig well il
jefferson City, and that he was then en-
gagged in that work-naming the place
Joy Immediately manifested itself in tn
!. face of the Governor. He did not, in
grandiloquent way, order the man to b
brought before him. He resolved to b
, himself the first to break the glad tiding
: to his friend that he was free. So off h
posted to the we'll where Grover was 9
work. On reaching the place he leane
over the we'll and cried out; Bill, al
Z YOU theTe2"
e Who's. that " asked a. .Voice from tn
!. subterranean deeps below.
= "lt's me-Bob Stewart Come up or
Q O. therel I've pardoned you"
0 He had recognized the voice, made fl
: miliar to him while he was racked wit
+ pain. In few minutes Grover WI
s hauled up out of the well.
Then was exhibited the curious spe
d tacle of the Governor of great Sta
e walking through the streets of the cap
8 tai arm-in-arm with a stripe-suited col
c vict, and perhaps Bob Stewart was u
j only Governor that ever lived who woul
Q have done it. But with him affectiO
s and gratitude were traits too strong
be overcome by the conventionalities
society or official position. He took b
old friend 'up to a clothing store al
rugged him out in a new suit, and mac
$; him guest at the the Governors ma
s. sion, afterward providing for him sta
e in business.
l. Such was Bob Stewart. He was foI
e. of strong periods and strong potstion
j. His invectiVe when assailing an opposiI
Is partisan was fearfully strong, and, a
O. companied by manner Of delivery
s, once as indescribable as it was inimit
ID BILE, he shook an audience like YOU
le earthquake. He had his faults, had Il
e. eccentric Governor, but he had likewi
"a bto ,,;.t,,as 81 TosgSe Tftoss