The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-17
F"INANCIER WARD.
A Letter to Buck Grant, Written the Night
Before the Great Collapse.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-In the Grant-Chaffee
reference suit, Colonel S. B. ElEins testified that
his (Grant's) father-in-law had a claim for abont
$500, 600, which amount the latter had advanced
the firm. Grant showed me-" said the witness,
contract receipts to prove that the firm was
not in such a bad way; they read received from
U. S. Grant, jr, s., which we promise to pay
within sixty days. with 30 per cent. interest 1
had never seen anything like it. I put the re-
ceipts in a pigeon hole as worthless. The
amounts mentioned we're about 800. 900 or $780,
600. Imade no inquiry where the money was
raised or what was done with it. We were not
as cool then as we are now"
Colonel Bliss offered in evidence q letter dated
May 4, 1884, written by Ward to Elkins, in
which he returns thanks for his kindness. and
adds: Fish has secured $1,000 900, and l have
$3.50, 600, which will prevent trouble. You can
rely on me-"
The following letter to U. S. Grant, jr., was
also put in:
MAY 5, 1884.
Dear Buck-I am very much afraid the end has
come, and that unless something is done tonight
everything will be over tomorrow, Now, take it
cool, old boy. and don't get excited; but remember
that we don't want our names to go down, and we
will fight before it comes. | find that Tappan 1.-THE
city chamberlain bias drawn 100000, and this,
with the ehock of Vanderbilt Of $3.50 coo, will,
know, end this matter. l had hoped to get more
loans on the Buffalo and Philadelphia bonds, q
could not. Randall had $l00, 900 government 4 per
cent. bonds with us to-day, but got scared ana drew
out to- day. Now, L have got the following securi-
ties, which can be used tomorrow, and if in any way
we can get checks tonight for $500. 600, it must be
done, and we will put up the securities.
Here the writer enumerates securities aggre-
eating 81. 1928, 700. including $400, 600 Chicago &
Atlantic notes Endorsed by the Erie Railroad, and
$3.50, 900 of Erie notes, Then he goes onl;
We must get $500. 900 on them. and have the
check dated to-day. Now. go to Vanderbilt and tell
him Just how we stand. and that if hv will do this for
us we will send $500, 900 or 5000, 600 of securities
in the morning. whichever he may select of them, and
if he won't do it. try elsewhere for we mustn't GO
down with all these good things on hand. l am going
to start out myself, and | may be able to do some
thing. So go right at it, Buck, and re-
member, if it is not done, it will
end your business career. This is the last draft we
will have to make, but if we don't raise $500. o to
night it will be our last blow. l will be home some
time during the night, for / shall so nowhere; so send
me word what you succeed in doing and if you get the
check send it over by a messenger. Vanderbilt can
draw on the Chemical Bank, if he wants to. We must
have the loan for ten days, any way, until we get the
bank straight. l am going to several bank men my
self, and will be home late, so don't try to find me.
but try and get all you can. This is our last hope,
Buck, so do all you can. Yours, +. WARD.