Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-17
IN GRANTS LOG CABIN.
There Were Many Jolly Times There Whs
the General Was Young.

There Were Many Jolly Times There Wher
the General Was Young.
From the Chicago Evening Post.
Grants old log cabin wouln't add anything
to the beauty of the worlds fair grounds il
they did bring it here. 1t might interest peo
pie. though, as one OF the curiosities-this
rough cabin home of one of the country great
est Presidents"
Thus speaks D. c. Hornsby, an old-time St.
Louisan. who lived in the early days close
neighbor to Grant. the soldier President, be-
fore he ever thought of being soldier Presi.
dent; in the days, in fact, when Grant was O
careless, reckless, happy-go-lucky countryman,
with none Of the marks of greatness yet ap-
parent
''Yes, sir; the Grant cabin was the center Of
vast amount of interest when Grant was in
it, "continued Mr.. Hornsby, ''but whether il
would be SO hore or not no one can tell. II
was lively place when Grant first lived in it.
way back in 81. That was the year he built it.
1t never did amount to much. 1t is nothing
but little one-story log house, with two rooms
and the regulation fireplace and other attach
ments. Never was much to look at. But there
was plenty of good fun when Grant was there.
The old place is only about nine miles out
from st. Louis on the Gravois river, or rather
q mere creek, which runs through the old Dent
AoA IA. 4uc DcHb Iarm mousse Is located In q
beautiful grassy fiat on the east side of the
Gravois and the cabin was over on little hill
west OF the river. Grant moved into it shortly
after his marriage to one of old Col Dent g
daughters at their city home in st. Louis.
He lived there three or four years. work
ing around as he pleased on the farm,
and from there went straight up TO
Galens, l think, and went into business. But
the old settlers around that section who are
yet alive well remember the times when Grant
was among them, and he remembered them.
too, to his last days as among the happiest OF
Ms lie. Grant alwayshad q great love for that
place. While he was President he fixed up the
Old Dent farm in fine condition and used to
take some pride in having the stock exhibited
at the ST. Louis fair.
Just how Grant happened to 60 to that part
OF the country never knew for certain con-
unued Mr.. Hornsby. HE had Just been in the
army out in California and left for some reason
or other. One of the Dent brothers was q
sutler In the army at. that time and that NAV
have had something to do with it. Any way
ne sort OF wandered in there and lived
on the Dent farm almost as one Of the
family and married one of the girls.
Then they built this log cabin and moved over
TO 1t. There wasn't much work for each
one to do In those times. The Dents had plenty
OF help and Grant and the boys used to work
ABOUT wnen they wanted to- was fixed abou,
the same way. / had Just finished going to
school and lived with two brothers about two
miles from Grants, along the Gravois road.
None of us had so much to do that we couldn't
go hunting and fishing just when we wanted to
go. and Grant was always ready. Many time
have we ridden up to Grants house at night
on coon hunt and whistled him out of bed.
We'd cry and halloo until Grant would poke
his head out Of the window and shout, Hello,
boys, that youT We'd answer back. Hello,
Grant; come on out here and he'd slip into
his clothes and be out in jiffy. Then, after
we had bagged our game, he would invariably
say, Come up to the house, boys. I've got
something mighty good up there. Come up
and take nip We Used to go up and get
some OF his mighty good, and then all go out
on the chase together, or separate and go home.
Grant was mighty good company in those
days, but no one suspected then that he would
ever stand at the head OF the nation. He was
a rather lazy, careless fellow, without much
work to do and very fond OF nip But
every one in those days was fond of the jug.
Those were social days, when it was the Gus
tom for every one to drink and keep it ALWAYS
handy for every guest. The Dents were an
aristocratic family, who hadn't much idea of
hard work, and SO it was no wonder that Grant,
who lived with them, didn't do a great deal
He didn't attract much attention outside, but
he was good company to those who knew him
He dldnt have much then. but he was ALWAYS
ready to divide square to the last, and. if re-
member, he kept that quality to the end"