The morning times., 1896-04-26


Gen. Grant dropped dead
At noon on the i th of July, 1888, these
tour words were flashed simultaneously
Dyer every telegraph wire in the United
States anu promptly cabled to Europe.
In this country the message had Te-
rluiar and Understandable effect. in every
rity, town and village thousands or old
soldiers and citizens crowded around The
telegraph and newspaper offices, anxious
10 learn further particulars as TO tie death
f their old comrade in arms and later Chief
Magistrate.
But further information was not obtain
able. and those who held a weary vigil
or additional news were disa ppointed. The
thousands OF operators had inaugura ted the
cCond great strike in the history Of the
rTvicc and the wires were unnamed.
The message above quoted was The pre-
arranged signal for the boys 10 quit work,
ind with its transmission all the great ar
eries which supply rapid transit intelli-
rence became dumb. Days elapsed before
he full explanation could be disseminated
hat Gen. Grant was alive and well and
hat the misleading declaration was only
Intended for the private ears OF the opera
Tor receiving the communication and for
those of his fellow workmen.
The strike thus inaugura ted continued
Cntil The 2l st OF August and cost the tele-
graph companies and the business inter
ests Of the country many millions of dol
lars. The means which brought il TO the
climax of conSummation was probably the
greatest hoax ever perpetrated on Gen.
Grant himself or the people a large.
JOKE on THE y ALTON.
Socompletely was Gen GranttheT property
ofthc whole public that his biography needs
but brief recital He came like many other
great mer, from Ohio. having leen born at
Point Pleasant, April 27, 1922. He was
of Scottish ancestry, but which had 10y
succe ssiyc generations become Ameri-
canizcd.
Strangely enough Gen. Grant began life
with name somewhat different from that
which he bore at his death. At his birth
be was named Hiram Ulysses Grant, but
was known by his middle name until seven
teen years Old. when curious error
eliminated the Hiram, moved Ulysses for
ward and inserted Simpson.
In filling out his appointment as cadet
10 West Point, Congressman Hamer sup
posed Ulysses 10 lie his first name, and
imagining that he would probably adopt
The name of his mothers family, Simpson,
wrote the document Ulysses s. Grant.
The attention OF the West 7 Cint authori-
tles was called TO the error, but they did
not feel warranted in changing the Official
document, and hence young Grant adopted
The name given him by the wcll-intentioned
Representative.
AS second lieutenant Grant served under
"Oid Rough and Ready Taylor, in the
Mexican war. repeatedly distinguished him
sclfInaCtion. nd for gallantr V was brevetted
captain. While still in the service be mar
red Julia h. Dent, in st. Louis, August
R2, 1S4S. In 1854 Capt. Grant resi- gned his
commission, and settled On a small farm
near 81. Louis, from whence be removed 10
Galena. ILL.,, in 1850, becoming a clerk
In the hardware and leather store OF his
father.
After the firing on Sumter Capt Grant
raised a company Of volunteers in Galena
and reported TO Gov. Yates of Illinois,
On June II, 1861 he was appointed colonel
OF the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois
Infantry, and on August commissioned
brigadieT general OF volunteers.
HIS FIRST VICTORY.
The battle of Belmont was the first one
of the civil war in which Gen. Grant par
tCipated, and where be won a signal VIC
tory. This was followed by the capture Of
Forts Henry and DonelsOn. being the first
substantial victory OF the war. For this
Grant was made a major general and bis
prestige and popularity throughout the
nation began.
The battles Of Shiloh and Corinth fol-
burg. After the downfall OF that city he
was commissioned a major general in the
regular army. and Congress passed a Teso-
luton, ordering that gold medal be given
him. and returning thanks to him and his
army.
March IL. 1864, Grant was given the
command OF al! the armies, having ten days
previously been confirmed by the Senate
as lieutenant general. that grade having
IsH1E
1866. Grant received his commission as
general. Congress having by special act
created n higher rank than had previously
existed in the army.
The cStrangement between Gen. Grant
and President Johnson, which followed
the close of TIE war. resulted in long
and bitter struggle, in which Grant had
the support of Congress. In carrying
out the instructions of the legislative
branch Of the government Gen. Grant OF
necessity was compelled 10 place himself
in the attitude of characterization to the
President, but the people upheld him in
his action and his popularity greatly in
crea scd.
As a consequence of the antagonism of
President johnson, more than all other
causes combined, Grant received the Re
publican Presidential nomination at Chicago
MAY 20. 1868 and on March 4, 1859, was
was the first civil office Gen. Grant had
ever held, with the exception of serving as
Secretary of War from August IL, 1867.
TO January 1 4, 1868, during The suspension
of Secretary Stanton, which position he
accepted under protest.
HIS POLITICS IN DOUBT.
Prior TO assuming the highest office in
the gift Of the people, Gen. Ora Mt had but
once voted for a Pre- Sidcntial candi-
date, having cast his ballot for James
Buchanan on personal rather than political
grounds. Because of thsaction there wasso
much doubt as 10 his political predile ctions
that committee representing the Demo-
cratic party had asked him 10 become their
Presidential candidate. but few months
before he accepted the Republican nominal
tion.
In 1872 Grant was renorninated by the
Republicans and reelected. receiving the
largest popular vote that had ever been
given a Presidential candidate.
During his incMmbency as Chief Magis-
trate Grant was considered the most ac-
cessible OF all the T residents. He re-
served no hours that he could call his own.
but was ready TO sec all classes of people
at all times. whether they were in high
position or from the ranks of the plain
people. His devotion TO his friends was
proverbial.
May Ia. 1877, Gen- Grant started on
tour of tie world. and was everywhere re-
ccived with the greatest attention and con-
sideration. Returning. he reached San Fran
cisco September 90. 1879.
When the Republican convention met in
Chicago i'm June. 1880. the name of Gen.
Grant was presented for the nomination.
and for tiiirty-six ballots he received a
vote that only varied between 302 and 31:.
Many OF Grants warrnest admirers were
opposed 10 his selection by reason of the
traditional sentiment against third Presi-
6ential term.
Tulx % 1Q95 Gan Grantdiaa nm Mount