The National tribune., 1892-03-03

lsurels from his brow which he had so justly
won and alone deserved 10 wear.
That meeting just referred 10 was a re-
markable one. In speaking Of il, ono who was
present SAYS:
Assuming the duties Of the chair, Capt.
Grant stated in few and direct words the
object Of the meeting. Brief speeches were
made by Hon. H. II. Washburne, John A. Raw
lins at that time young lawyer and Demo
cratic candidate for elector at tho Presidential
election Of the preceding Autumn, and Capt. B.
B. Howard, an officer in the Mexican war, who
wasafterward Captain ofthe 10Th Vol. Inf, and,
with his company. was killed in railway acct
dent while on their way to the seat Of war.
Among those who participated in that meet
ing may DO mentioned, aside from the Chair
man, Mai.-Gen. John A. Rawlins Maj. Gen.
John L. Smith, Maj..Gen. A. L. Chetlain and
Brig. Gen. Jasper A. Maltby.
After his appointment as Colonel. Grant re-
turned to Galeua for a few days. aud was not
here again until in August, 1865 The reception
given him upon that occasion was the most
brilliant ovation Galcna was capable Of giving.
Nothing was left undone by the citizens 10 give
their illnstrious townsman a fitting welcome
after his four years absence, during which he
had given service TO his country unsurpassed
IN its results, 10y services ever rendered by
mortal man, TO any nation or people
With the exception of tho day when Gen.
Grant returned from his trip around tho world
there has never been an occasion upon
which SO many people have gathered to-
gether in Galena. There was I'M
bounded enthusiasm. An address Of welcome
was delivered by Hon. L. D. Washburne. The
unobstrusiyo and retiring Lieutenant General
responded through his friend. Rev. J. III. Vim
cent. now Bishop Vincent of Chautauqua fame.
fr. Vincent spoke Of the pleasure the General
felt IN returning TO his home, and his gratitude
for the reception given him 10y his friends aud
neighbors who had stood by him with unfater-
ing fidelity and uuwaycring faith through
good and i'll report lie also said that so long
as the General should hold his present official
position he would be obliged TO spend most Of
his time in tie city of Washington, but that hs
considered Galcna his legal home and voting
place and should spend rs much of his timo
here as possible"
Even in 1855. sidewalks were not laid on all
the streets, rs they were few years later, in
Galena. Before the war; Capt. Grant was
obliged TO pick his way every time he went
between his house aud the store i'm damp
weather. One day, while scraping the mud
from his boots he remarked in dry way TO
some one standing 10y:
e" II am ever Mayor Of this place, ! shall
have a sidewalk from my house to the depot"
Before his return in l5GJ q house had been
purchased and presented TO him Icy the citizens
OF Gaena. The remark regarding the side
walk was recalled, and tho walk WAS laid from
the house 10 the Illinois Central Railroad de-
pot. At the time OF the reception referred TO.
upon one Of the arches which spauucd Main
street, WAS the inscription, General, the Side
walk IS Built" calling his attention 10 the fact
as he passed beneath il in the line Oi process
sion.
The residence still owned 10y Mrs. Grant,
while not a very commodious dwelling, has
been found by them TO be very comfortable
aud pleasant domicle during their numerous
visits 20 the city A delightful view can be
obtained from every window. The house oc-
cupies one OF the most picturesque situations
on the cast side Of Gllena River.
One charming feature Of the sito is the view
which it commands Of the opposite hills, which
rise almost abruptly TO a hight Of about 200
feet after retiring lille from Main street,
which extends north and south through the
valley. These hills or bluffs fora almost per-
feet crescent aud present a variety Of scenery.
ia the summer time the yclyCty surface,
broken 10y huge limestone rocks iuttug out
here and there, the foliage-embOwcrcd resi-
dencos, rising, as they appear TO, one above an
other, make an interesting and romantic pct
IRE hat the eye cannot weary Of gazing upon.
The house was finished after the prevailing
style Of over quarter Of century ago, aud is
much the same al the present day as when the
Graut family occupied IL for the first time.
During their trip around the world many Of
the gifts showercd upon General aud Mrs.
Grant were shipped directly 10 Galcna from tho
foreign countries. Elegant Oriental fabrics
which seemed more appropriate for furniture
draperies than for making into gowns for Mrs.
Grant 10 wear, as WAS the purpose the donor ex-
ported them 20 serve, wcro taken by Mrs Grant
herself and the furniture adorned, and with
the exquisite taste she displayed in this aud in
the arrangement Of cuIiositics aud bric.a brac,
the original appearance Of the interior Of the
house was completely changed from the plain
aud simple abode to one OF refined elegance.
Whenever they visited Galcna they made IL
understood that il was their desire 10 meet the
people at their home, and every social call was
returned by both Gen. Grant aud bis wife in