Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-10-01

Speaking about Vanderbilts reminds
me of story told me by certain
Newspaper man as he received II from
the lips Of the elder Vanderbilt. II
was an account Of the occasion when
General Grant, in desperation. went
alone TO Mr. Vanderbilt 10 borrow
money to tide over tho Ward-Grant
business.
General Grant was not business
man. He knew nothing OF business
methods. He was keonly sensitive in
money affairs. aud had seen much pow
erty and pecuniary trouble. Few
people can ever know what It cost
General Grant in humiliation and dis
tress TO make that visit to Vanderbilt.
He sent his card in to Mr.. Wander
bilt during the latter's business hours.
When Mr. Vanderbilt saw the card he
stepped out to the ante-room and there
saw General Grant sitting with other
people waiting for an audience in the
order in which he had entered. He
greeted the General warmly and asked
him to step into tho private Office.
General Grant drew back. saying
that there we're other persons ahead Of
him aud he would await his turn. Mr..
Vanderbilt insisted. and General Grant
passed into the private Office. He was
not there over five minutes.
Mr. Vanderbilt seated himself, but
General Grant remained standing, de-
clining to take a seat, and holding his
soft hat with military cord in his
hand.
General Grant said: Il have come
on matter Of business, Mr., Wander
bit.n
"All right" said Mr.. Vanderbilt; lis
there anything / can do for you. Cen
eralPp for he suspected the nature of
the Generals visit.
Said General Grant with ghost of a
smile:
Il would like to exchange checks
with youn
Glad to hear it, " said MIR. Wander
bilt, drawing to him a check-book and
dipping his pen in the ink. How
much shall it begn
General Grant hesitated and looked
away and finally answered in low
voices zone hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars
The check was quickly filled out and
handed TO General Grant. He took it,
grasped MIR. Vanderbilt's hand mo-
ment and walked out hurriedly, with
out word.
The rest of the matter is known
the conveyance of the swords and
relics, etc, to Mr.. Vanderbilt.
| spoke OF this pathetic story to John
Russell Young, who was a fellow trav-
eler with me on Maine train one long
and pleasant day recently, and he was
certainly as near to Grant as any other
man. who said he had no doubt of its
correctness, and have given it as it
was given to me.
John Russell Young added his belief
that had ii not been for that trouble
General Grant might still be alive and
among us.
Mr.. Young told me of a good Joke on
Mr.. John G. New, our Consul General
to London.
During the time of the Whitechapel
murders excitement Mr. New who
was bit new in London, made up his
mind to visit Whitechapel aud view
the scene of the last murder which had
just been perpetrated. He hired Q
four wheeler with a pair of horses and
driver, and started for a long drive 70
Whitechapel.
Presently he returned, and Mr..
Young asked him if he had found the
spot.
why yes" answered Mr.. New,
"aud it is a pretty good joke on me. / |
thought as we went along things |
looked very familiar, and l was sur
prsed at the coachman stopping and
announcing that this was the place.
On looking about | found 1t was just |
around the corner from my office in
the consulate, and only few steps
away D. MttsseH in Cincinnati
Coanlerctain