Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-04-21

IN his section OF the State. When the p0-
litical struggle of 1850 came on he was NOM
mated for the Legislature, and was elected
J in district that had been controlled by q
Democratic majority of more than 500.
This majority he had overcome by his manly
meeting with his opponent in joint discus
sion, and SO ably did he join issue with the
Democratic candidate that he repeatedly
drove him in confusion from the platform.
The cry to arms found Gresham Captain
of militia. He had, besides his small mill
tary training heritage of courage and mill
tary tastes. Entering the service as Lieu
tenant-Colonel of the Thirty-eighth Indiana,
he was soon transferred to the Fifty-thlrd
Regiment as Colonel, and before he had been
many months in command had won the es-
teen and confidence of General Grant, then
flushed with his victory at Donelson, and
broughtin into greater confidence by his con-
duct at Shiloh. Colonel Gresham partici-
pated in all the movements preceding the
siege of Vicksburg, and in August, 1868,
was, upon the recommendation of General
Grant and General Sherman, made Brig
adier-General, and put in command of the
post at Natchoz. In the spring of 1864, at
the head of division of the Seventeenth
corps, Army of the Tennessee, he joined in
the campaign thai led up to tho taxing of
Atlanta. General Mcpherson was his Com
mander, and the two were deyoted friends.
In many actions during the Atlanta cam
paign he exhibited qualities as q soldier
that won for him the warm admiration of
the officers whom he obeyed and tine soldiers
whom he commanded. On July Goth. at
Leggett Hill, while marching ct the head of
his command, and well in advance, he was
wounded by musket-ball that struck him
just below the knee. He was carried to the
rear. General Mcpherson personally super
intended General Gresham's removal to
place of safety. The nextuay, after Gen
eral Gresham had been removed to dis
lance from the field Of battle he was shocked
to find himself stretched out in box car
alongside of the dead body of General Nc
Pherson, who had been killed in action soon
after they parted.
Returning to the practice of his profess
sion, with the brevet rank of Maj General
conferred for gallant service, he was called
upon at New Albany, in 1855, to accept
nomination for Congress against Michael G..
Kerr. General Gresham made his cam
paign speeches while on crutches, but he
was defeated in that year and in 1868,
when he again ran against Mr. Kerr. He
held the position Of financial agent of In
diana until 1869, when General Grant tried
to draw him into the public service by
Offering him the place of Collector of Gus
toms at New Orleans. He declined that
Office, and the position of United States
District Attorney for Indiana. His refusal
OF the latter place was characteristic. He
had gone to Washington to solicit the ap-
pointment for personal friend. General
Grant listened attentively to his argument.
When it was concluded, he said: g I have
already selected a man to be District Attor-
ney for Indiana" General Gresham was
astonished who is the mane' he in
CURED. /" Yourself" was the unexpected
reply. But General Gresham peremptorily
refused to accept the honor. He accepted,
however, in December, 1869, the appoint
ment of District Judge for Indiana, which
General Grant offered him.
His name became known beyond the
bounds of his State, and his wisdom and
ability secured FOR hum favorable mention as
member of the Cabinet of President Gar
field In April, 1888, after the death of
Postmaster-GeneralT T. o. Howe, President
Arthur selected General Gresham as his
successor. He left the bench, changed his
residence at Evansville for one at Wash
ington, and until September, 1884, devoted
himself to the e1acting duties of his new
Office with diligence and an executive
ability that soon won for him the highest
praise. After the death of Secretary of the |
Treasury Folger, President Arthur trans
ferred General Gresham to that position.
He held the Treasury portfolio for one
month and two days, when he retired from
the cabinet. He was then fifty-two. While
associated with President Arthur he had
won that gentleman's entire confidence
and esteem, and when, in December, 1854, |
Judge Drummond retired from the office of |
United States Circuit Judge, General |
Gresham was restored to position which |
was altogether congenial.
In person General Gresham is attractive, |
and his attractiveness is OF kind that |
grows upon acquaintance. While giving the |
impression to strangers Of o man Of re- |
serve, he soon develops genial and sunny
side to those who approach him. Should he |
be nominated by the Republican party, he |
will present strong inducements to all |
members OF that party for zealo,ls snnx,or< |