Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-08
Ferdinand Ward.

Tho Chicago Tribune publishes the
folio ging remarks from Ferdinand
Ward, in a recent interview: "Tne
position that | occupy is not known.
The facts concerning my actions have
never been given to the public. I
have not yet had an opportunity of
clearing myself from the unjust i'm,
putauonS that have been cast upon
me. / have prepared statement that
viii show the name Of every person
who had any business rcleati0ns with
Grant " Ward, the amount of money
that was advanced by him, and the
amount that were paid to him as
profits This has been in the hands of
AIR, johnson, receiver of the Marine
bank, and Mr.. Dawes, the receiver
for Grant & Ward, for months. The
statement should be made public by
the receiver, and | believe that If IS
ais duty to do SO, and | Go not under
stand why 1t has not been done. It is
not my fault that it has not been done
but 1 have been given the credit for
It. 1t Is believed by everyone who
had no acquaintance with the facts
that made millions out of the Grant
q Ward transactions. | did not. and
to-day l am not worth a dollar. [
am made the scapegoat, and everyx
thing Is laid at nay door 1t is not
right; there are others who must b~
held responsible for their actions. If
the statement, which to large extent
is my justification, is not made public.
| will be compelled to give it out. I
have been under cloud long enough;
and 1t is only justice TO myself that it
should be known who shared the
profits with Grant Sc Ward. The
books of the firm show every trans
action. There is the account of Mavor
Grace. He used to discount notes of
Grant & Ward for 5 per cent, and in
addition was paid 81, 900 profit on
every $40, 600 that he advanced. He
got II round numbers 500, 900 in
profits. He says that he made moths
ing out Of the firm. My statement
taken from the books, will show that
10 holds notes Of the frm for $50, 900,
but this does not approach his profits.
L believe it has never as yet been as
certained what the lawful indebted
ness of the firm is, as there are many
claims that will DE proved usurious
and unlawful; but / have shown in
my statement clearly, and there can
be no dispute over it, TO whom [ have
paid some S., 900, 900, and this, with
the several loans that have already
been setted, Will, / think, cover
everything. II the illegal claims )
against Grant & Ward were pressed
the amount OF indebtedness might
reach $50, 900, 000, but there are many
people who viii hesitate long time
before they will present their claims
to the receiver and ask that they be
paid. Gen. Grant knew nothing
about the business of Grant G Ward.
He had no knowledge of it's affairs.
II I could have gone to see HIM after
the failure and explained to him from
the books the nature of many trans
actions, he would, I believe, have been
satisfied, and would not have recorded
the unfavorable opinion of me he did:
but he, like everyone else, blamed me
for things that | sever did. Light
will, however, sooner Or later be
thrown on nay transactions and many
strange things be cleared UP. [ may
be crushed, but [ am not dead. Other
people have had their day and I have
suffered, but there is an end to every
thing, and Ferdinand Ward will be
heard from in his own behalf.
Mr.. g. was q man who liked to say
pleasant things to ladies' Once while
Miss Auburn Tresses was calling on
mis- family he seemed to be more than
usually impressed with her attract
IONS. and said to her in playful way.
'if had seen you before l married, I
might have taken you instead" His
little 3year old boy playing on the
floor, quickly spoke up: EThen /
might have red hair, and the scene
quickly changed.