New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-23
WHERE GRANT ONCE LIVED.
THE LOG HOUSE HE BUILT IN MISSOURI.

THE LOG HOUSE HE BUILT IN MISSOURI.
ST. Louis July coon July %. 1885, eight
years ago at Mount McGregor the spirit of General
T.. :. Grant peacefully took its flight. II is doubtful
whether In all the history Of his life, filled with so
many lrumphs Of what mon call fortune, there was
any period which he would have characterized as
marked by such great personal good fortune rs that
which he spent when In the nighborOod OF ST. Louis,
years before his name known TO the world. Oh
This period little has been said in the histories
Here he first assigned to duty after graduating
ut West Point. IT was here he first met and here
that he married Julia Dent: here he lived for SIX
years In the very prm" Of his f': here he built his
first home: here several OF his children were born.
There are stlll a considerable number Of persons
living in the neighborhood OF the old Dent farm who
lived thre when Grant did and who knew him well.
The house which he built Is still there. an object Of
pride not To say veneratlOn, among the residents.
The writer OF this visited the locality yesterday, took
Il snap shot at the old house. and talked with several
OF the aforementioned old residents. The house Is
simply an Old-fashiOned log cabin. An ent"rprislng
real estate dealer moved II mp TO the railroad at
old Orchard. a station eight miles from 81. Louis,
the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad where he
resides Two years ago negotiations made hav-
ing I'm view It's removal to Chicago, to BE- exhibited
there during the Worlds Fair An Eastern nsur-
company has sent out In SOME OF It's advertising
matter statement that the log cabin Is actually al
the Fair. This Mr.. Joy. the present owner OF the
cabin, looks upon libel on his enterprise that
would be acionable at law.
The logs for the cabin were cut and hewed by
Grant with his own hands during the summer Of
1854. In the fall, when he had succeeded I'm getting
the timber I'm readiness day was set for the house
raising The undertaking was conducted In true
pioneer style, the neghbOrs, who had already begun
to take interest in the plucky young man, hochng
10 his assistance. This raising. although little sig
nihclnce attached TO II at the time beyond tn"
usual Interest In the exhibitions Of physical strength
on such OCCASIONS Is regarded by those who par
ndpated in It with no little pride.
At these log house raiSings the men who had the
greatest mechanical skill stationed at the cor
These positions werr, therefore, considered as
posts Of honor. Of the who held these posi-
lions AT the raising Of the Grant cabin are still liv-
ing In this vicinity one OF them, John Par;5e. Is
clGity-one years old the other, Asa lesson. Is
sixty eight. Both well-todo farmers. The cor
ncr shown in the picture OF the cabin ACCOMPANYING
this correspondence Is the one which carried up
by Grant himself.
Tho cabin Is I'm a remarkably good state OF preser-
Walton. 1t Is not very different from the ordinary
pioneer habtaton. except that II Is little better
and little larger. being AZ feet in length and
feet In width 1t contains four rooms. two
below and two above stairs, each room being 90
by 1s feet in dimensions. Through the middle
Of the house from side to side Is hall feet In
width. and containing the stairway. The two lower
rooms each have a large fireplace at the end opposite
the hail. and each Is lighted BY two large windows
reaching from within foot Of the ceiling nearly To
the floor
Grant vas never flvorlte with his fatherin-law.
and during the cam" 10 be heartily d,lihod by
him, for old Major Dent radical Southcrner.
Charles G. Common. who now lives ut Webster Groves,
one mile from old orchard. one Of Grants most
intimate friends from ls57 to 1850. He said ycst"r
day that 10 met Major Dent In ST. Louis one day
after Grant had begun 10 win fame In the war. and
asked him what he thought Of the Captain" now.
He's a worthless wretch said the Major. but
he added. after moments pause, :" II he was only
on the right side he'd be- the best officer in tho war.
Tho land on which Grant built his cabin comprised
eighty acres which adoincd Dents estate OF about
600 acres and Major Dents wedding present
to his daughter. Having given his daughter this