The Portland daily press., 1880-12-14
Garfield and the Politician

Mentor Letter to Syracuse journal.
Among the recent arrivals was a Western
politician. At first the writer was somewhat
puzzled with the manner of the host toward
this gentleman. He seemed to be skipping
hguratively around him. to be avoiding the
smallest chance of private conversation, or of
giving the Western man one single idea of his
real sentiments on any given subject. When
understood the game was funny enough, and
played equally well between them.
At 2 o'clock bell was rung in the hall and
we all went out to the adjoining room to din
ner. The dining room is as pretty as the par
lor, with ITS window draperies Of drab and
crimson, its cabinets of china and silver. and
open CHEEKY fire. The dinner once under favor
able progress the Western gentleman made a
leading remark ON the state of affairs in San
Francisco. The General answered politely.
and Immediately said: 'Mr --, are you
aware what interesting ground you are on?
The first Mormon temple that was built is
about four miles from here at Kirkland, and
this farm formerly belonged to Mormon: in
deed, the first Mormon settlement was here az
Mentor -
"Ah, is it possible?" answered the politic;an
with look of disappointment, but CLEAN
shot through his eyes as he quickly added:
"You visited Salt Lake City, believe, Gen.
eral?" gray gisf na7 - - -
"Yes," said the General, II visited Brigham
Young, and he told me queer story. 1 asked
him how he came to choose that particular
spot for town. WELL said Brigham, we
were travelling along one hot summers day
was lying in my canvas-covered wagon half
asleep, when all of a sudden raised up and
raid: Halt! Here is the chosen spot for our
settlement" And as said that looked up
to that hill yonder, and an angel stood there
pointing right down to this valley. So knew
the inward voice was right While Brigham
was telling me this, We were on the platform
OF the railway station, and the train intended
70 take my departure on had commenced to
move of. Brigham shouted 'Wait! and with
Q wave OF his hand, he said: Don't move that
train until tell you tor
Here the conversation became general at
table, put the writer was conscious that the
ponticlan was saying something of San Fran
cisco, the great snow storm that had followed
him all the way East, until he reached the
town OF Fremont the home of President HAYES.
he was evidently yerging toward some tonic
Mr. Garfield did not desire discussed, and he
caught up the word fremont - - -
'You know, Mr.. Blank, that place was
named in honor Of General Fremont" With
out waiting for reply, Gen. Garfield ran on.
Fremont made survey of Utah once, and he
reported the discovery of wonderful lake
which at one end was salt and the other fresh.
The truth was, there were two lakes. with a
small stream connecting them. It Is pity he
did not make more careful Investigation of
tnat country, in which case the Mormons
might not have made their discoveries there %
We were acquainted with Rigdon," said
Mrs Garfield, "one Of the leaders, perhaps
the inventor Of Mormonism. He used to live
IN this vicinity, and hetaught my father Greek
and Latin. Rigdon was preacher after he
left Joe Smith and separated from the Nor
mons, and ne was very eloquent indeed .
The politician was getting restless. -.s
How 40 you lie those pears2" said the
to me-" he continued, 'said he had never
found name for them until after the election,
and now he calls them" the speaker stopped.
Called them Garfield pears" said one of
delphia" 1aa1 dt 9la - ~
"oh, 7 intended to tell you how they served
Joe Smith" resumed the General, "when he
suggested polygamy in this neighborhood for
the first time. SolAe men went to his house
in the night, pulled him out of bed, tarred
and feathered him, and rode him on q rail. A
child that was in bed with him was also pulled
out 1t caught cold, was ill, and died. This
circumstance created a sympathy for Smith,
and they let him alone for awhile"
AFTER tea and coffee were served, we re-
turned to the parlor. The politician made a
spasmodic effort to buttonhole General Gar
field, saying: II must 60 on to Painesyille to
catch the evening train. ] had hoped
Excuse me, returned the host, "a man is
waiting to see me on business 1 win soon re-
turn" nJlaou92l3 ell7 i''--'i
He only came in time to utter some COM
monplace civilities as the politician was bid
ding Mrs. Garfield good-morning.