The Indianapolis journal., 1885-07-24
GRANT IN INDIANAPOLIS.
His First Meeting with MIR. StantOn-Personal
EecolIections of Prominent Citizens.

His First Meeting with MIR. Stanton-Personal
! EecolIections of Prominent Citizens.
The news Of the death of General Grant was
received in this city with the profoundest scr
row by all. Even men who had been most bitter
in their political opposition to him seemed to
forget the heat of political dislike, and were as
earnest in their expressions of sorrow at the
news Of the death of the distinguished soldier
and statesman those who had been his warm
est admirers Many citizens had "reminiscences
of his visits to the city, some of which are here
matter related
l In a personal conversation with the writer on
the occasion of his last visit to the city, General
Grant related the following anecdote Of his first
visit to Indianapolis: ut was few days after
the battle of Shiloh said he,. that received
summons by telegraph to proceed at to
Louisville to consult with Secretary Stanton
relative to the plans of the campaign. 1 had to
change trains in the Union Depot here
and, although l had not made myself known.
the conductor with whom had come from St.
Louis recognized me and told the conductor OF
the j., NJ. & l. train, which was to proceed,
! that would be among his passengers The
other readily recognized me, and after | had got
on board his car came to me and said, General
Z Grant l believed! Yes, sir, l replied. 'Secre-
tary Stanton is in the state room at the forward
\ end of the sleeper said he. Wouldn't you like
{ to go to himP Of course l went at once. l had
never seen Stanton, and he had no acquaintance
Z with me, and this was our first meeting. The
I conductor was surprised that We did not know
I each other, and introduced us, although, for
hat ipfr
: Neither knew that the other was going to Louis
vile by that route, and thus our first meeting
was entirely unexpected. We were delayed
somewhat beyond the usual time for our depart
! ure, and here in the Union Depot Secretary
Stanton and myself seated in the stateroom of
1 the sleeping car, held the conference at which
Z the plan of the campaign was decided. We re-
! mained in conversation until reaching Louis
vile, but it had its beginning in the depot here
4 Another member of the Journals staff once
met the General and his son Fred, then mere
I boy, carrying valise of large dimensions down
Z South Illinois street. toward the depot. He had
/ been in the city all day. having missed the west
ern connection in the morning, and had stopped
at the Bates House incognito. The reporter
G recognized the great soldier and followed him to
! the depot, where he introduced himself and
learned the reason for the Generals presence in
s the city. He was on his way from Washington
1 to his farm st. Louis This was very soon
4 after the close of the war;
4 Indianapolis was one of the places favored by a
4 visit from General Grant on his return from his
tour around the world. 1t will be remembered
that every effort was put forth to make his well
come great and generous The occasion
encouraged everyone to slop over a little, and il
is praiseworthy fact that everybody nobiy
availed himself of the opportunity The train
& conveying General Grant, it will be remembered,
q stopped at the crossing Of Washington and Noble
streets and was there met by the large process
! sion which was to conduct him through the city.
that the people might see their hero Major
E Wainught, of Noblesvile, had large bay horse,
a fine stopper, with proudly arched neck and a
& full, flashing eye. He brought that horse here
for General Grant 10 ride upon. Further than
that ne had a Mexican saddle, that from horn TO
3 stirup was covered with silver and other orna
mentaton. General Grant stood the real
4 platform of the car. while thousands of people
" were filling the street and crowding about the