Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-23

it passed. the black mass fell in behind,
filling the street from curb to curb.
Service at the hotels and restaurants
where the negroes were employed was ut
terly inefficient. The blacks were absorbed
in the one subject too exalted by newborn
hope to concern themselves about their usual
business.
The general was disposed to be as quiet
as possible without appearing discourteous.
When first asked to receive a delegation OF
colored preachers of the Northern Methodist
church he pleaded fatigue. After some per-
suasion he consented to meet them at Wes-
ley chapel with the stipulation that there
should be no general negro demonstration.
81 had enough of that at jacksonville" the
general explained.
This was distinctly promised, and the af-
fair was regarded trivial an incident
OF his visit that the newspapers made no an
nouncement of it. 1t was expected that he
would be driven to the place at 10 o'clock
in the morning to speak few words of en-
couragement to score of colored preachers
and the entertainment committee did not
choose to accompany him. | was asked to
go with the general, and Rev. DR.. Hartzell,
northern preacher then in charge of the
church affairs in the city. A northern news
paper man and veteran northern soldier
| had no local political ambition to be in
JuTeu anu udu livery tuIlOSlly W See TIE
negroes.
Grant Tells Stories,
1t was long drive and on the way Grant
was more than ordinarily communicative,
which is saying a good deal. 1t was and still
is popular fallacy that he was in all situa-
tions a reticent man. However self con-
tanned he may have been in an official ca
pacity, socially he was genial cheerful and
chatty. AS he lighted cigar, the carriage
being open, he said:
IL have the reputation of being a hard
smoker. There are people who say my por-
traits are bad because there isn't cigar in
the mouth. That's a slander. | never in
my life smoked to excess, and now l con-
sumo only three or four cigars a day. am
slow smoker and cigar lasts me a good
while"
AS we passed the university buildings
the general said that II the war had not
come when it did, he should have been a
resident of the south, a professor in a
southern college,
General sherman" he explained, had
been the professor of mathematics in a
college in Missssippi"-I think it was Mis-
sissippi-"and decided to give it up He
wrote to me at Galena, asking if | cared
to take his place. | always liked mathe-
matics; it was the study l had done best
III anu lhouBnl nlSnl ENJOY the WOfR
1t was decided that | should GO but then
the rumblngs of impending war caused
me to change my mind and with some re-
luctance l finally declined It,"
When we were within about two blocks
of the church were shocked by the spec
tacle of a solid mass of black humanity
As they caught sight of the approaching
carriage they made furious rush and
with yells they surrounded us. The two OI
three policemen in the neghborhood did
all they could but were powerless. That
the general-of whom it has been said thai
the sudden appearance of the enemy never
surprised him-was surprised and alarmed
by the unexpected body of negroes, and We
soon found the situation really dangerous
Negroes Hem Him In.
Let us get out of this" exclaimed thu
general "Driver, turn about and go back.
II was useless, however. to make the at
tempt. 1t was the determined purpose o
every man, woman and child in the mas
to shake Grants hand or touch his person
The air was filled with cries. A tall oil,
negro forced himself between the wheels
regardless of a busy club, and reached
Grants hand, crushing a new silk hat a
ne did it. Then strengthening himself L
his fun height, with hands above his bar
head he shouted Dress Gawd! / don
shuck his han'!'
For nearly half an hour the scene wa
beyond graphic portrayal. These ignoran
people long deserted and neglected by thei
frightened leaders, sincerely believed Gran
had come to New Orleans for the sole pur
pose OF 'leadin' us out oh de wilderness,