The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-10
GOVERNOR SEWARD,
Interesting "Reminiscences of the Great
Statesman.


PIttsburg Commercial-Gazette
There is a coored barber working at the chair
nearest the window in shop on + street, not
far from the Ebbitt House, whose talents and
education merit a better position. He is about
forty years of age, nearly six feet tall, and his
features are of the Caucasian type His negro
blood IS shown only in his complexion,
which is Il dark mahogany AS to his
manners and his language they are good
those of any man in Washington, and his
of information is equal to that of many a man
who ranks high in official life Since his boy
hood he has been closely associated with promi-
nent men. He went round the world with Sec
rotary Seward as his valet, and ne occupied the
same position in regard to Elihu Washburn
while Mr.. Washburn was our Minister to
Paris. There is hardly country
with which he is not familiar, and
he has visited the different parts of Europe
more than once. When he was a boy he shaved
the Senators of the days of 1889 and later at the
old Kirkwood House, and his razor has often
caressed the chaggy chin of Sam Houston,
smoothed the cheeks of Andy johnson, and
wandered gently over the faces of a score of
other noted men who have since passed away.
AS l sat in his chair to day asked him a ques-
ton or two about Secretary Seward. He said:
My brother was Senator Seward servant at the
time he was about to start out on his travels,
but as he had Just been married he did not wish
to go with him, and he got the Senator to take
me In his stead. 1t was pleasant trip through
out. We had our own cook, and were well sup
piled with all the necessaries. Mr.. Seward was
gentleman, and he always treated me very
well. His health was not good much of the
time, and this, of course, kept him from always
being i'll the best of hunors.
Secretary Seward did not like doctors, how
ever, and remember an incident illustrative of
this which occurred while we were stopping
with Lord Napier the Governor of Madras. One
morning when Mr.. Seward was feeling especially
bad the doctor called at the Governors house to
see one of Lord Napiers family. His Lordship,
r.. - &c foA11
asked him if he would not like to
see the doctor: Mr.. Seward replied.
No Governor; 1 cannot meet doctor
today am not feeling well, and hope the
recovered from Paynes assault. 1t shattered
his nervous system and he bore the effects Of it
to the day of his death"
By the way, a curious example of Office seek
ing was that of the servant who let in Payne
that night He afterward applied for position
under the government, and alleged as a reason
why he should have it that he had been working
at Secretary Stewards at the time the assassina-
ton was attempted He failed to get the Office
Did not Governor Seward write book of
travels during the tourP
Eyes, or rather his adopted daughter wrote
much of it at his dietation. 1t was largely her
enterprise, you know, and Governor Seward
gave her all of the profits of its publication. 1t
sold well and must have Melted her many
thousands of dollars. During his travels the
Governor worked a part of every day. He
wrote some and read great deal"
governor Seward" continued this man, was
man of wonderful information on all subjects
and he was always willing to impart it. If |
wished to know anything about subject during
my service under him 1 went to him and he al
ways gave me the knowledge 1 desired"
"Do you think he ever got over the president
ial feverP [ asked
mo" was the reply. "He never did. He
was greatly disappointed when Lincoln
nominated over him. and [ think he did not
give up hope of getting to the White House,
even during his later years. He still chung to
the idea that presidential lightning might per-
haps strike him. But it never did"
Have you any idea what his foreign trip cost
him!"
81 think it was over $40, 900. But he could
afford it. He was wealthy and when he died he
among his two sons and his adopted daughter.
One of his sons is now banker at Auburn.
This is William. 1 do not know what Frederick
is doing"
''You were in Paris during the Franco Prus-
sian war were you notF
Yes, but only the latter part of it. and at
that time the American legation had plenty
to eat At Minister Washburn's there was
always plenty of beef and we did not dine on
horses. While / was with Mr.. Seward, in
Canton, China, l remember going in one day
to get something at a restaurant Mr. Seward
and his party were along. There was bill
posted in front of the restaurant and our in
soup, fresh every day In the market at
Canton the rats for sale are strung like her
ring, and you will see the bodies of dogs quar-
tered and hung up like sheep. At Mr.. Wash
burne's had pleasant service. He was very
kind indeed. and l have a standing invitation
to come and Ray at his house when l go to
Chicago"