The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19
THE ANDY JOHNSON RIOT.
A Renaissance Of the Visit of General Grant
to This City in 1866.

IT very much doubt if General Grant ever
felt as deeply mortified and Inundated as on the
trip he took with President Andrew johnson. In
September, 1866, in that memorable Swing
Around the Circle as it was called said gen.
tleman to the reporter. Il WAS on the train
with the presidential party from Terre Haute to
this city, and the Generals countenance, not
withstanding its marvellous immobility, failed
to conceal an annoyance which at times was
even mingled with disgust. The trip was full OF
ridiculous incidents. When the presidential
train arrived at Terre Haute the demonstration
was so noisy, not to say insolent, toward MIR.
johnson, that the stop was exceedingly brief.
AS the train resumed it's course eastward we
saw pursy, red-faced man, with book under
his arm-it looked like ledger or day book
trying with might and main to catch the rear
platform. AS he came almost within reach,
putting like porpoise, and with a look of agony
upon his purply face, he gasaed OUT For Gods
sake, help me on; must get on-it's important.
He was assisted to footing on the step of the
platform, and for several minutes stood hopping
his face and gasping for breath. When he had
recovered himself he asked to be shown Secre-
tary of State Seward Mr.. Seward was pointed
out to him, and the fluffy faced man took his
place beside him. My NAME. said he, is
Doctor I've forgotten the name). I was ap-
pointed by the citizens of Terre Haute to deliver
the address of welcome to the President and to
you, Mr.. Seward, as WELL Here he opened the
ledger. This, reading from the book, is what
| intended to say to you Mr.. Seward must have
had wonderful control over his facial muscles,
for during this absurd performance he was
politely attentive and without crack in his
countenance. This Terre Haute orator also had
special speeches of welcome for Secretary Welles
and General Grant, and between Terre Haute
and Brazil opened his ledger and delivered
them.
There was St Louis congressman on board
named Hogan. He had been quite convivial
during the trip, and when the train drew into
Greencastle, with President johnson standing
on the platform, he essayed a brief speech. In
Producing the President to crowd of boys, he
said: MizZer President, these are our young
sovreigns--p'raps some of you may one day be
President of 'Nited States. Boys, thish "a live
President Take good look at him.
General Grant, at GreeEcastle, where there
was bowling mob, stood upon the platform of
the car. A tall and powerful fellow crowded up
and seized the General, and, as all could see,
was trying to pull him off the car. Grant re-
monstrated with him to effect, and then
turned appealingly to General Rousseau who was
on the car. Rousseau was a large and strong
man. He was Also as it proved, a very prompt
man. He planted blow squarely in the face Of
the ruffian, and he went flying backward, it
seemed to me, at least thirty feet before he fell
President johnson was i'll at ease during the
entire trip, fearing personal injury He was
particularly frightened at Terre Haute. In con-
sequence of this, coupled with a natural fond
ness for spurious drinks he was at no time be-
tween Terre Haute Indianapolis, entirely sober.
The train containing the President and suite
arrived in Indianapolis: at the Terre Haute
freight depot at s o'clock in the evening. That
was on Monday, Sept. 10, 1866. There were
number of politicians who had attached them
selves to my policy and a committee there to
receive him. and he was to be escorted to the
Bates House by torchlight procession. Be
sides these political features, there mass
of people about the cars and lining the streets.
anxious to see Grant and Farragut, including
many who were vocal in their disapproval of the
President. Secretary Seward and Secretary
WelleS excited little attention and no enthusi
asn, but cheer after cheer went up as Grant
came in sight
1.-The Bates House had been chosen as the
place for the reception ceremonies Here sew
eral thousand people lined the sidewalks crit
icising and commenting upon the procession.
The war had terminated SUCH a short time before
that Republicans who remembered Indiana
Democrats in 1862, 1863 and 1864 were exceed
ingly bitter, remembering as they did, the Sons
of Liberty and copperhead period just passed
The President was to be exhibited from a bal
cony on the second story of the Bates House. on
Washington street Just as proceedings were
about to begin cheers were given for Grant and
Farragut, lnterspersed with occasional yeis for
johnson. This was continued until Gen. Sol
Meredith, who, under the stimulus of gov
eminent Office, had transferred his allie
glance to Johnson, appeared. There was
comparative quiet until he began to
speak, when the cries for Grant were renewed.
and the noise and confusion were SO great that
Ev,Is han
the din, he retired. Several lesser lights thel
appeared, one after another among them David
s. Goodng who was then known by the eupho-
NOUS title of .Johnson's Botte-holder' The
confusion IN no wise ahating the President him
self came out upon the balcony. He bowed affa-
bly, and waved his handkerchief for silence The
turbulence increased until no withdrew amid a
mingled roar of cheers, groans and misses, and
cries of Memphis and New Orleans The
Presidents speech, as reported in the papers
was accurate, was as follows 'Feilow-citizens
lgroansl Give me your attention [grcansl for
five minutes. Groans / would address the
crowd o-night-[groansp Unable to proceed, he
turned to General Meredith remarking: Lets
go in; it's no use.' And in went they
Secretary Seward next appeared He Jared
somewhat better than the President, but die not
attempt to speak. Then, in the hope of quoting
the crowd, General Grant was induced to step
upon the balcony. AS he appeared he was greet
e0 WIN Cumultuous ana prolonged cheer
ing Admiral Farragut who came
next, was heartily cheered The Presid ent's
managers, evidently thinking the crowd was get
ting under control, proceeded to send out in sue
succession Secretary Wells, General Rousseau.
General Rawlings and others. These were cbsered.
Il began look as if the crowd could be brought
to silence and courtesy. However, as General
Meredith attempted to make the formal recen-
ton speech he was interrupted as before and
pandemonium broke losse. saloon keeper
named Jeremiah OLeary was a prominent
Democratic worker and leader in that day. He
was known as Captain OLeary. The Captain
was in command of the procession that evening.
He was mounted on big white or gray horse.
and, urging his horse through the crowd with
three or four hundred Democrats following him,
he attempted to clear the street. A riot fol
lowed. A Democrat named Trucksess was
credited with firing the first shot Numerous
other shots were fred. and the torch sticks were
made to do service as clubs. 1t