Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-27
The Simplicity Of His Life Here-Lfn-
coins Assassination.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Gen. Grant was the most conspicuous public
man who ever lived in Washington. He was
known to every man, woman and child in the
District before his name was before the people
for the Presidency. While general of the army
his headquarters were at the corner of 7th and
streets. He used to walk to and fro morning
and evening along with the procession of clerks
and with nothing but his well-worn military
cloak in winter and the familiar figure in sum-
mer, and the cigar always, to distinguish him
from the crowd. He was usually absorbed in
himself, and walked mechanically, though
while going to work very rapidly. While Pres
ident he was the same sort OF man. He loved a
good horse dearly, and sometimes drove a four
in-hand drag, but he usually walked or took a
street car. In either case he was always the
cynosure of many curious eyes. He had evil
IDENTIFY become accustomed to this, aud paid no
attention to 1t as long as people kept out of his
way or did not force themselves on his personal
notice. When they did he was annoyed, and
would turn abruptly upon his heel to escape.
He always acted on the street like any other
private citizen who wanted to be let alone. This
spected it, and the President of the United
States could often be seen sauntering down the
Crowded avenue alone.
itol to the White House on a pleasant day,
when the whole city was out, without suffering
single interruption. Yet II he saw men raise
their hats to him he never failed to return the
salute. During such a walk nearly everybody
would stare and turn and stare again at him as
he passed. He seemed to walk among crowds
to be alone. OF late years he had apparently
shaken off much of this tacturnity, and when
he visited Washington could be seen about the
Willard lobby chatting with friends and listen
ing and laughing at their stories, and telling
stories of his own in return. He mistrusted
those who wanted to make show Of him, but
patiently suffered the tOrtures of boredom at
the greatest receptions ever given at the White
House. When he took notion to attend a
customary etiquette Of the White House, which
prohibits the President from induiging in such
things.
LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION.
"The darkest day of my life, ~ Gen. Grant once
coins assassination. / did not know what it
meant. Here was the rebellion put down in
the field and starting up again in the cutters.
we had fought it as war; now we had to fight it
as assassination. Lincoln was killed on the
evening of the 18th of April. was busy send
ing out orders to stop recruiting, the purchase
OF supplies, and to muster out the army. Lin
coin had promised to 60 to the tneater, and
wanted me to go with him. While was with
the President q note came from Mrs. Grant say
Ing that she must leave Washington that night.
children. Some incident of IL triffing nature
had made her resolve to leave that evening. I
the theater. So made my excuses to Lin
coin. and, at the proper hour, We started tor
the train. AS we were driving along Pennsyl-
vania avenue a horseman drove past us on
rage looking a into t. Ms. Grant % said % rhsre
Is the man who sat near us at lunch today
with some other men and tried to overhear our
conversation. He was SO rude that we left the
dining room. Here he is now riding after us. >
thought it was only curiosity, but learned
afterward that the horseman was Booth. It
seems that l was to have been attacked, and
Mrs. Grants sudden resolve to leave changed
the plans. A few days after Ireceived an anon
ymOuS letter from q man saying that he had
been detailed to kill me; that he rode on my
train as tar as Havre-de-Grace, and as my car
was locked he failed to get in. He thanked
God that he had failed. remember that the
conductor had locked our car, but how true the
letter was cannot say. learned of the assas-
sination as was passing through Philadelphia.
turned around. took q special train and came
on to Washington. 1t was the glOomiest day OF
NV life"