The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-20
THE FAMILY AT NIT. M'GREGOR.
Gossip About the Children and Grandchi
lran nf Tho nnad GanaraI

Gossip About the Children and Grandchil-
dren Of the Dead General
Correspondence Philadelphia Fress.
The Mount McGregor management received
letter from some snper-seryiceabie patriot yes
terday, quite Indignantly demanding that the
cottage where General Grant died should be
given to his widow and not to the government.
The three sons have somewhat alienated the
public respect and favor which were
their birthright by a failure to make
anything of themselves but creatures
of circumstance. They look thoroughly sobered
now, and will perhaps begin all over again
and depend on internal resources not yet
developed for their success in life. Colonel
Fred has dsarmed criticism in very perceptl-
Die degree by the devotion he has shown in this
trying time to his parents, and which he now
continues IN a twO-fold measure to his bereaved
| mother He is tall and of goodly proportions,
an unusually fne-looking man of thirty five. he
wears about the mountain a tall hat, with very
broad weed and also badge of Grape on his
coat sleeves tied in bowknot. This fancy OFT
of mourning is good deal criticised, and de-
tracts from the simplicity and dignity of his
position
Nellie Grant Sartors celebrated her coming of
age the Fourth of July. 1876 She was then
three years married and has three living chill
dren-Algernon, the son, and Viyian and Rose
Mary, the two little daughters. The eldest.
Ulysses, died in his babyhood. Vivian received
one of the names of her uncle, the elder brother
of Mr.. Sartoris, who met his death by accident a
few years ago. When | look in her still young
and blooming face and think of the sorrows OF
her married life, | recall the clrcum
stances that, after that Grand wedding in the
East parlor was over, the President was nowhere
to be found, till trusted family friend went up
into his daughters vestal room and discovered
HIM lying prone upon her empty bed. with his
face buried in the pillows, his frame convulsed
with sobs. There is whisper in the social cir
cles Of the mountain of something like a compe
m In OF of
Sartoris in the family prestige before the public
But the people will always hold the latter the
closer IN affection, remembering her as their
Generals darling little daughter; the maiden pet
OF the White House; the bride whose marriage and
going across the sea were the only thing in her
that ever saddened and disappointed them
They will welcome her to a permanent stay on
this side the water if she should decide; and
| really. it seems as though Mrs. Grant, in the
coming years, may need her only daughter
sorely. The absence of Mr. Sartoris during all
this period of family interest, and the fact that
his children were not sent over with their
mother to receive their grandfather's parting
blessing. are quietly commented on and made to
bear their own Interpretation. Mr.. SartoriS was
never worthy to bear away soldier Presi-
dents daughter
Mrs. Sartoris still wears the So 900 diamond
ring, which was one of her wedding presents
from friend of her father in public life. The
day after the Generals burial, Mrs. Childs, of
Philadelphia, gave her beautiful mourning
chain of onyx and gold for the little silver watch
she carries
Colonel Freds daughter and son are objects of
interest to the pilgrims who come daily from
Saratoga by the little mountain railroad, and
may often be playing about the grounds in
their mourning suits Julia, the daughter,
was born in the White House in the
summer of 1876, and baptized by DR.. Newman
| in the Blue Parlor, together with the youngest
child of Marshal and Mrs. Sharpe, in water he
had brought from the river Jordan General
Sherman and Mrs. Newman were the god
parents. She resembles her mother, who
Miss Honore, but has the luxurant brown hair
of Mrs. Grant, ST., falling far down below her
shoulders. Mrs. Grants hair, which needed no
supplementary aid even in the days of enormous
chevelure, and her plump white neck and shout
ders, her best claims to beauty in the full
dress days Of her White House occupancy.