Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-25
Stories About Grant.

Dy Cnaries r. Bryan IN America
Corroborating the estimate of General Grant
given in these paragraphs, Ex-Governor Routt,
OF Colorado, relates some further instances of
his old friends kindliness and modesty. In the
convention of 1880, John l.. Routt lead the Col
orado column among the BOG. Soon afterward
the ex-presdent visited the Rocky mountains
accompanied by Mrs. Grant. Leaving her in
Denver, he made a round of the remote mining
camps with Governor Routt and one of his
own sons. Needing no hardships, the general
penetrated into the very heart of the CONT
mental divide and across it into the widest re-
cesses of the San Juan. With the true spirit of
able deprivations, and one night while lodging
In log-cabin, when his bed completely col
lapsed, he forbade his companions to move.
assuring them in the dark that straw mattress
ON the floor was softer bed than many he had
lain ON. Before retiring General Grant al
ways arranged for the starting time next morn
ing, generally naming the earliest possible
hour. He was then invariably ready himself
and manifested impotence at any delay.
From one of the small towns near Crested
Butte, in the Gunnison. cavalcade of $50
young men and women, handsomely mounted,
rode ont to meet the general. AS they APP
preached, the horse of one of the girls took
freight turned about, and galioped full tilt for
the town. Gen. Grant instantly jumped up in
his carriage and shouted: lis there no swifter
uOTse tlttu HerS! several OF the men put spurs
to their horses and gave chase. While he
watched the perilous race, and saw the danger
the girl was running the great captain ex-
claimed, with the utmost distress: ''Is the
whole pleasure of my journey to be spoiled by
an accident to that poor woman?" But she was
saved. though overcome by excitement Gen.
Grant had her placed in the carriage with him.
self and Gov Routt, and conveyed her to their
destination.
Governor Routt also dwelt upon General
Grants objection to Illicit anecdote His mo-
rose silence was sterner rebuke than words
to those who. in his presence INDUCED in
questionable talk. He suggested while in Colo
RADIO that the offensive name of creek near
Los Pinos be changed to Puppy" or, he added,
IN an lmprudent moment, TO Carl SchurZ,
another synonym" When he returned to camp
that same evening he learned that one of his
boys had repeated this pleasantly. much to
the generals chagrin, who reprimanded his son
severely for his indiscreton
On recent trip Gov. Routt gave me permits
sion to tell a fish story, which, he says, Gen.
Grant enjoyed exceedingly. In the early days
OF Leadvilles boom group of miners and good
fellows were gathered around the tavern stove
spinning yarns. One had caught ten-pound
trout. another had harpooned a whale in the
Arctic seas, and so on. when up spoke the little
governor: well, boys, all that's nothing to my
luck; once caught pickerel that weighed
$50 pounds" "Oh, governor! pickerel weigh
ing $50 pounds.' resounded from all Sides No
one would believe the tale, but Routt persisted
and after vainly trying to shake their incre-
dulity, explained: "Pickrell is my wife's name. -
He says he never spent a cent for cigars or
other Injuries during the rest of his visit
One of his hearers gave him share in the
mine that started him on the high road to great
wealth.