New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-14
HENRY ". GR4DY'S FOOTHOLD.

We seldom hear the truth about public men, II OBJ
scure their lives interest II great whether IN
poltcs literature art religion or science we are never
able to clearly through the fog Of fame that surrounds
them We can learn Of them only through their friends
and their friends more than likely to magnify them'
our impressions Of them are nearly always wrong
The fame Henry Grady flashed across the armament
ike comet For two years It shone resplendent then
suddenly memory After death the incidents OF
his career were reorsv chroniced and commented on
but the true story Of his life has not been told
His rapid rise on The Atlanta Constitution from the
humble private the cfce Of commandern-chie
has been accounted in many ways. For years 1t was
commonly believed in his native STATE that Victor New
combe set him on his feet The then head OF the Louis
Vile and Nashville Railroad system the story went took
fancy TO the bright careless e1ervescen young man. ana
said 10 him one day
81 Henry, don't you want to a little money!"
Grady confessed that he had harbored such desire
once upon time that the Bohemianism Of the news
paper business had robbed him OF It,
"weu wen see II we can't revive the feeling" MI
Newcombe said "Go and invest all you have In L. and
n Saw nothing 20 a soul and be patient"
al can't buy much stock with seveny.nve cents but
on your tip I'll put It up" said Grady his Diack eyes
twinkling with merriment
Never mind about the seventyhve cents Your creolt
is good. How much would you Ike 10 inFeSef
Ten thousand as hyer.'
uent at the young mans audacity'
when will you be In LOUISVILLE agalhF ne %SAeu'
I'm ten days"
,.r-ona N see me then and Wen talk It over"
Tn Ten DAYS Henry turned up and Mr.. Newcombe
handed a check for $1,000.
"rhere are your prohts,' he said Better invest
them at once"
Henry did invest he reinvested and kept investing
TIL his benefactor pulled him up short
''Now 60 home and lock up your money In some good
enterpr.se- You have 10000. Never gamble
again"
Returning 10 Atlanta Henry bought fifth interest in
.sThe Constitution" and made managing editor. His
profits were handsome, and his FAME grew apace
This fairy tale has thousands OF believers.
Another story much the truth, and IL also
had Us believers. Some who accepted 1t as fact admired
Grady all the more; Others belonging to the school Of
noeal nloralsts, roundy inyeighed against him. 1t
was briefly follows:
When Justice stephen J. Field. Of the Supreme Court
,oo,aa mn as Presidential possibility his brother Cyrus
hog,, casting about for certain State delegations.
Georgia he thought he might capture through Grady
who was already recognized leader Of the new element
IN tba crackcrn state the generally understood
10 be useful in practical politics. 1t is sometimes
characterized as the New South" and extends over
large part Of Dixieland Accordingly, Grady received
nom brother Cy" check for $40 000 and With 1t this
instruction
"put this where it will do most good"
Grady invested IL in 'The Constitution"
There are other stories these have been oftenest
told How far.fetcheo they will appear nom the
true one told a short while by DR.. Henry NJ Fled.
Editor OF Christian Observer" brother Of Cyrus
and stephen j. Field aud friend Of Grady.
II liked Grady" said the good doctor. "a capital
o, and grievous loss his State and his country He
ALWAYS came TO when he visited NewHoFk bring
inc fun and good spirits and health Sometimes he talked
frankly about his past life, because he knew. perhaps.