The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-05-20
A VERY DULL BOY.
How President Cleveland Was Regarded
by His SchOGlmates.
Very Fond of Drawing the Girls Around
on Sleds-The Friends of His Boy
hood Surprised at the Backbone
MIR. Cleveland Has Developed
as Governor and President.

Washington Correspondence of the Post-Dis-
paIch.
Dewitt G. SpFsgue is well known in New
York. he read the poem at the last reunion
of the Army of the Potomac at Baltimore.
He is at present one Of the officials
in the Fourth Auditors nffi5e. He
was formerly q lawyer in New York.
but i'll health compelled him to give up his
practice. He was Consul in Italy during the
greater part Of Grants time. He was born
and brought Ep in Fayetteville, where Gro
yer Cleveland Liysd for number or years
when he was boy. Mr.. Sprague is still q
young, active looking man. He recalls a
number of interesting incidents IN the
earlier career OF young Cleveland. His fam
lily, the spTegues, were neighbOEs aud friends
OF the Cleveiands. The Presidents
father Tss rigid Presbyterian
clergyman and an Abolitionist of
the extreme type. He never lost an oppor;
tunity to denouncs slavery. Clevelsnd's
family were all Republicans. His brother
Republicans in Central New York. Cleve-
land himself never took much interest in
politics when he was a young man. Mr..
6prsgue says that he can not remember his
ever saying anything about il when he was
in Fayetteville. 1t was not until he went to
party. He never has been at any time
partiean.
'What kind Of boy was Cleveland at
Echool?" / asked Mr. Sprague.
He was q very dull boy. He never was
much of a fellow for books. He was a club
by, good-Eatured fellow. he was very fond,
in the winter time, of drawing the girls of
the school around on sleds. Why, can re-
member him now Just as well as can be, rum
ming with my sister on his sled through the
snow, mis- round. fresh face fairly lighted up
with radiant good turaDe."
''Was he fighter IN those dsys?"
'No, be was not. You couldn't get him
into fight. He was the most peaceful fell
low i ever saw. He would do anything in
the world to keep out OF . row. Those who
knew him as a boy were very much surprised
to see him develop so much back,
bone when he became Governor. He used
to be so easy and yielding that any one
could do what they pleased with him." Mr..
Sprague continued. "EVen in those days
he showed great taste for business. Al
though he was considered very dull II
school, he was one OF the hardest workers in
IT. be was never very fond OF play. He
seemed to take more plea5ure in work. ALI
of rs boys thought he was cut out for mer-
chant Cleveland used to come over
TO our house q great deal. My mother
used TO call him Grove Cleveland. She
Sill Calls 0lm InRI. cleveland USED 10 De
very fond of coming over to our house about
breakfast time. Ny mother was great hand
for buekwheat cakes in the morning. Cle7e-
land would come In and take seat and then
cast wistful eye upon the pancakes. Then
my mother would ssy, Grove, won't you
have some OF the cakes? Do sit up" aud
although he had previously breakfasted at
home, he would eat nearly his weight in
buckwheat cakes.
The President when he left school in Fay
etteVille entered the store of Beach @. Beard.
Beard was the leading merchant of the
place. He was the great capitalist of
Pompey Hill. He moved over 10 Fayette-
vile to find alarger field for his energies. His
daughter Carrie married John o. Evans, the
late President Of the Mutual Union Tele.
graph Company. Mr.. Evans was largely in.
terested IN Washington property, and left a
very handsome estate here. His widow re-
sides here now. She is a frequent caller at
the White House, now occupied by her
fathers former clerk. Mr.. Beard himself
was here the other day aud had q very pleas
ant visit with the President. Mr.. Beard is q
very fine looking gentleman, who has al
ways voted the Republican ticket until last
fall. he could not vote for Mr.. Blaine, and
30 voted for Nr. Cleveland. This President
always shows great pleasure when he mests
any Of his old Fayetteville friends, Mr..
SpTaeue called OF the White House soon
after inauguration, and found that they all
remembered him. The President gave him
and bis wife hearty invitation to . family
dinner ct the White House.
-
Mr. Sorague's account Of the Presidents
being a dull boy finds plenty Of parallels in