St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-27
BUCK GRANT.

Ny DEAR BUoK.
There is one member of the defunct
winding firm of Grant & Ward who, for
some reason Certainly not his modesty), has
not Oreceived the attention he deserves
Ulysses s. Grant, ir., affectonately address
~ Ward AS "AIy dear Buck" plays promi-
nent part in the melo-drama of the wildcat
bank, tine duped creditors and the begin g
ex-President. He is not as well known as
eIs military brother, Colonel Fred, nor does
he share Fred's reckless, happy-go-ucky ma
ture. He has, however, all the bumptious-
ntss Of the travelled Jesse, who has stood be-
fore kings with his renowned father. and
who drew so much attention TO himself
abroad as the young American who, on state
occasions, insisted on walking before earls,
marquises, dukes and even princes. Buck
as he is Familiarity knowu-I don't know why
lis the deep one of the family. He first
came prominently into public notice, by his
engagement while in San Francisco, some
six years ago, TO daughter OF Fair, the bon
ANA king. The breaking off of the engage
ment caused quite little breeze at the time
Bucks prospective father in-law did not
hesitate to express his disgust, it is said, at
the young mans unblushing disclosure of
mercenary designs in his impudent demands
OF an enormous dowrr. Updeterred BIZ Fairs
denunciation of him as an unprinciped for
tune-hunter and the subsequent GOODNESS ex-
perienced on the Pacific coast, he came East
and soon afterwards married a daughter OF
Senator Chaffee, with whom he is reported
10 have received dowry of half million
dollars. He acknowledges having subse-
Qucntly received from his fAther-iu-law some
$4,000. as this latter sum seems TO be
ali the money that was sunk by him in the
defuuct firm, his casual admission, on the
hearing the other day, that ne believed him
self worth about $3.50, 600 few days before
the failure, looks very much like sip of the
tor que. It's significance is not lessened by
his affirmation that this wealth was ION
paper" made at the suggestion Of the lawyer
who cleverly came to his aid.
BUCK As A WIFE HUNTER.
I should not be surprised to learn that
BUCK is almost millionaire at this mo-
ment While his ilustrious father was
tIas.lling around the world young Ulysses
was STUDYING law in the Office of Davies &
Work in tie Equitable Building. I saw much
of him at this time, and was impressed with
his quiet shrewdness and over-weening self
conceit. Without entirely neglecting Black
stone and Kent, It was apparent that he took
much interest in tue stock market. Indeed.
when a year or two later he was admitted to
the bar and began practice on his own &C.
count, II was generally believed that profit
ing by his Intimacy with railroad lawyers and
Wall street operators, he had already made a
little pile in lucky specu!ations. Enjoying
unusual advantages for obtaining points ON
''the street." he continued these operations
with almost unvarying success, shrewdly
avoiding risks and keeping his own counsel.
His deliberate hunt for a rich wife toincrease
his capital led him to San Francisco. where
he was snubbed as has been seen. His pro-
fessiun as a lawyer was only considered as 1t
served bis purposes as a stock-operator.
When the General returned, covered with
glorv. be had no idea how rich a man Buck
had become in Wall street. The ex Presi-
dent looked forward cOntentcdly 10 living
quietly on the comfortable income Of $40, 600
a year, derived from Investments IN bonds
and real estate. But his hopeful son con
WINGED him that after his experience OF Eu-
rOpean luXuries such course was entirely
out Of the question. His illustrious father
should live as became his greatness, and
have mansion In New York where he could
upon occasion return the Inequalities
showercd upon him abroad. All this would
should have more. Nothing easier in the
world, as Ulysses, jr., at once proceeded to
demonstrate The young Spectator had
foreseen what power his fathers name
would be in the world of finance and how
his own social and financial aspirations might
be advanced by keeping tue General in New
York and sin business"
BUCK WORKS THE MILLIoNAIBEs.
It was ''Buck" who inspired the idea Of the
$3.50, 900 fund that Gould, Morgan, Wander
bilt. and other Wall street magnates sub
scribed, though he modcstly let Mr.. George
Jones OF the Times have all the glory and all
the trouble 4 collecting it. Tns gave the
General and assured addition Of $4,000,
making his income 1000, or the same he
enjoyed as President.
THE OLD MAN.
was inclined to be satisfied, but the young
man was not He induced his father to take
flyer or two with such success that the
General was soon fascinated by the specula-
tive siren. Buck engineered Jay Gould ard
his father into each other good graces. We'll
do | remember dinner at Dclm0nico's
about this time at which Grant, Senior Ro-
nero. now. but not then, Mexican minister
at Washington. Gould and Hurlbcrt then, but
not nov. Of the World, were prominent.
Whether the dinner was given by Gould "a
Romero or hy Romero 10 Gould, do not dis
tiuctly rccollcct hut its occasion was Next
can. How they did Gatter the old veteran,
recalling his military glories and his first
success in Mexico where be gained cap
tain's hrevct. He was deeply touched aud
spoke SO well and with such feeling that, as
Hurlhcrt afterwards tod me, every one was
astpnishrd and none more than himself al
the unusual mantle station Of Thought aud
feeling from the ''s,lent man. Thereafter
he was made president of Gould and Romero
Mexican southern Railroad, became a mcm-
Der of the Mexican Tariff Commission. visited
Mexico with q flourish OF tumpets, smoked
Alexirau cigars and began to talk Mexican
Spanish aud drink pulquc aud MeXican
coffee on his return he was installed in the
handsome Offices OF the Mexican Southern
Railway on the same floor with Davies, Work,
NcNamec x Hilton Bucks law trm) 10 the
United Bank Building on Wall street, ir-
reverrutlv known as Fort Sherman" from
the fact that Il is believed to have been built
out OF the profits on sunjry bond operations
90 which the syndicate WAS helped By Sec
retary OF the Treasury.
WARD ANp BUcE SCHEME.
Il was not long before Buck snd the mete'
Cric Fcrdie Ward put their heads together
and opened the now notorious banking firm
Gu the ground noor Of the same building
EycrythluC was apparently very diguided
about the new firm. II started with brain :,
capital aud good connections. II il had ans
honesty in ITS composition Il mght hav,
done a good, sound. Legitimate banking bus
iness and been fairy successful aud eudur-
ing. But young Grant had no more ids OF
being a good banker han be had Of being q
Iawv,r Tae banking business was simply d
scheme 90 facilitate and ruArcr his specula-
tive operations 10 Ward be had a partner