Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-01
OUR PRESIDENTS.
1t is Claimed Harrison is Not the
First and Only One to
VISIT THE LONE STAR STATE.
A Publication Showing Gen. Grant Visited
Texas In 1874, During His Term of
Oftice-Sot Much Fuss Made II
Over 1t.
Special to tie Gazette.

DES1soN, TEX, April 30.-Tnere Is wiaaI
spread discussion throughout the state as 10
President Harrison's visit being the first
that has ever been paid by president of
the United States 10 Texas.
This question might be considered under
"Nisits Of persons who became presidents !;
or, had been presidents, or are presidents. >
As far as individuals are concerned, Gen.
Grant entered the state of Texas IN the
year 1915, landing at Corpus Christi and
crossing 10 the Rio Grande in the springSt
lS46
During the spring of 1914 he had bed To-
Gated in Western Louisiana, and therexs a
possibility that he crossed the borden at
that time.
He was also present in the state of TexA
at the city Of Galveston after his returs
from the trip to Mexico. On both OF theSS
occasions he was not at the time presfsaft
Of the United States.
In the year 1915 and 1916 Gen Taylorwas
also in the state of Texas in command of the
army which landed at Arkansas Pass and
marched to Palo Alto.
There is possibility, but history does
not fix it as a certainty, that Franklin
Pierce also was in the state of Texas at the
same time
II we might be allowed to include him
under the head of presidents, we could
speak Of Jefferson Davis, who was in Gray
L
Below we append an account Of the vis5S
of Gen. Grant 10 the state of Texas wNke
president.
There has been some confusion in e7ard
to this visit with that OF the son. Fred
Grant, who was a colonel in the CNted
States army and was at Denison at HeII
date inspecting the building of the frontA$
telegraph line from Denison to Fort ConciA
while in process of construction. ~
There is no doubt about both of tlHsH
individuals having been in Texas t<the
dates mentioned, as DR.. Alex. ". Acl&Son,
late candidate for congress on the kcpub-
lican ticket for this district, VINO is still
Il resident of Denisou. confirms the cor
rectness of the annexed account. and states
that having served under Grant and
knowing him personally, he interviewed
him during his visit, and that he also saw
Col. Fred Grant at the Old Nelson house
during his Soiourn.
The visit OF Gen. Grant to Denison was
Al Il time when this section was feeling the
full effects of carpctbagism, citizens were
being run off to court a. Tyler upon trivial
pretexts, raids We're being made upon all
dealers in drugs, tobacco, matches and
liquors for uncancelled stamps, and it was
not TO be expected that very cordial re-
ception could be extended to anyone even
remotely connected with their suffering.
Under these circumstances Gen. Grants
stay il Oenison was n quiet one, very few
citizens called upon him, and his presence
was not heralded abroad by telegraph as it
would be to-day.
On October j., 1874. the Denison Daily
News contained the following in reference
to the visit: "T he following distinguished
persons arrived by special train about II
O'Clock Sunday night: President |. :.
Grant and wife, Gen. Phil Sheridan, cX-
Secretary of the Navy Borie. wifea
niece; Gen. Babcocl, private secretary of
the president; Gen. Harvey, Col. Farr. in
vitcd guest OF Gen. Sheridan; Manager Il.
s. Stevens of the Missouri, Kansas and
Texas, and three ladies from st. Louis
whose names we did not learn. Gen.
Holabird, chief quartermastcr of the de-
partment of Texas, with headquarters at
San Antouio. was also with the party. He
arrived in our city from the South Satur-
day, remained over night as the guest of
Col Strange, and went up TO Caddo Sun
day morning to meet the eXcursionists.
Gen. Forsythe and Col. Mike Sheridan came
through with the party us far as Caddo.
They accompanied Gen. Phil Sheridan TO
Fort Sill.
The excursionists spent an hour looking
over the city, and at o'clock returned TO
the train and departed for the North As
the presidential party We're stepping on the
cars to take their departure. an aged col
ored woman rushed up and kissed Ulysses
hand most affectionately. This was the
signal for a grand rush on the part Of
Grants admirers, and the president was
compelled to submit to general hand
We understand the president
came South at the solicitation OF Manager
who wanted him to see the beauti-
ful Indian Territory.