Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-05-22
FERRY'S EXILE.


SENATOR FERRY's EXILE.
The Downfall Of a Politician With
a DISTINGUISHED Career.
at is not very generally known"
said a Michigan man yesterday, 'that
ex-senator Thomas w. Ferry is an ex-
lie from his state and country. He
dare not return until the matters pend
ing against him are either outlawed or
settled. There is an indictment
against him for forgery"
Sup to the time of his defeat for re-
election a few years ago he passed az
a very rich MANI"
"Yes, but that was far from the
truth. Ten or fifteen years ago he
was worth considerable money. He
had an interest with his brother in
some Michigan pine lands and together
they operated an extensive lumber
yard il Chicago. say together, but
Thomas never had anything to do
with the management of the business.
They made conside rsble money for a
time and as usual their fortune was
greatly overestimated by the outside
public. Reverses came, however, and
in addition to this the senator got to
leading a very wild life in Washington.
He spent more than his salary in dis
sipation and became involved in sew
eral disgraceful scandals. You re-
member how he was horsewhipped in
his Dom at the National Hotel by an
irate young lady and her father. Poor
Ferry crept under the bec and howled
for mercy, but his assailants only
stopped when they were completely
exhausted. The story told at the time
was to the effect that Ferry had in
suited the young lady in some
way, and that was the
method chosen to avenge it. Ferry
never made any complaint. but the
father of the young lady received a
note from the senator a couple of
days after the attack. He opened it,
expecting to find at least a challenge,
but instead he found an annual pass
for himself and family over the Penn
sylvania Railroad. Queer way of de.
handing satisfaction, wasn't itp
"Ferry's expose would have come
several years before 1t did but for the
fact that he held a seat in the United
States senate, if he had been re-elect-
ed l presume his affairs would have
been hushed up somehow; but when
he became a common citizen, with no
patronage at his disposal, then all his
creditors jumped on him. 1t was
learned that he had been engaged in
a number Of very questionable trans
actions, among which WAS the charge
Of trying to initiate another mans
signature. Ferry made a desperate
effort to get back to the senate, and
the machine discipline organized by
Zach Chandler in Michigan held his
forces in line down to the eighty
first ballot. Then a break
came and the present Senator Palmer
was the result. Ferry ied al once to
Europe, and had scarcely got out of
the country before warrants were is
sued for his arrest on several different
counts. That was three years ago.
He mas never returned and may die in
exile. The ex-Senator's brother, how
ever, Is devoted to Tom, and he has
been trying to, bIiid mp the fortunes of
the family. He is by far the better
man of the two and has considerable
business ability and push. L am told
that he has been very fortunate In
some silver rlipe Investments and may
become itch again. In that case L
suppose all the claims against Thomas
where a criminal prosecution could be
brought will be settled up and the exile
| will find it safe to return. But he
never can again be a factor in Mashi-
gan politics. OF late years he has be-
| come a victim of the mOrphine habit,
which has almost completely under
mined his+intelleot."
"WheEe is he living.
81 believe he has passed most Of his
exile in italy, but he has been roSming
made to persuade President Arthur to
after the death of Minister Hunt, but
MIR. Arthur concluded that 1t was not
best to appoint a man who could not
visit his own country to present his
application. Senator Conger made the
etfoct, l believe, oat Of charity.
''st's a little bit singular that . mar
who served eighteen years in the sem
ata-six years as president pro tempore
ca tina: body, acting interpretations
and acting president for o day. on the
Sunday intervening between Gen
Grants retirement and ProsidenI
Hayes's inauguration--should emo
himself an exile from his own countr,
and a fugitive from justice. 1t illus
trates the ups and downs OF politics
with a vengeance New York World