The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-17
GRANT A LOYAL FRIEND
A New Story Of the Great Captains
Kind Heart.
Inequalities Extended to Him While
He Was Carrier of Wood Extend
ed Hundred-FoId After His EIe-
walton to the Presidency-An IT,
tcresting and Pathetic Incident

And that reminds me-" said Governor
Crittenden. ''of what was to me one OF
the most interesting and touching stor-
los l ever heard, having its origin prior
to and its sequel following the war. 1t
was told me by Samuel B. Churchill some
time in the '70's. The other person in
VOWED in the story became, during and
after the rebellion, one of the greatest
characters OF the century. Churchill re-
sided in st. Louis prior to 1860. He was
a State Senator and, some time in 1870 he
returned to Kentucky and was chosen
Secretary of State. His associates in St
Louis were Edward Bates, Hamilton
Gamble. Samuel T. Glover. Graft Brown
Frank Blair, and gentlemen of that class
l much doubt If there is enc reader of
this paper who ever knew him or ever
heard OF him unless ii be Judge john w.
Henry. or Col. Van Horn, whose Ienowl-
edge and memory OF Missouri cover many
years. many stadia of history. and still lie
was one of the prominent political and
social leaders in st. Louis and Missouri
in those days-genial cultivated, brave
as a man is. soft as woman. He was
in afTluent circumstances and he was rev
er forgetful Of the obligations OF wealth.
Prior to the war there was living near
St Louis man in the most humble cir
cumstances. Though a soldier by instincts
and education, and a graduate of West
Point. he was daily engaged in selling and
delivering cord wood to whoever would
buy-small quantities from a time-worn
wagon, drawn by two horses OF inferior
grades. This man was. in address, above
his business. There was something about
his appearance that indicated he was more
than an ordinary man. He often sold
Churchill his small loads and was often
told by him that when he failed to sell
to others before night to drive his load
to his woodshed. throw it in and call for
his pay next day. BY that association the
two became we'll acquainted, one always
delivering good wood, full measure, and
the other ever prompt polite, and liberal
in his payments. besides extending other
inequalities so well understood and Guilt
waited between gentlemen of their class.
THE rail splitter, the toiler on the tow
path, and the cartmah of today may, in
the fullness of time. become the President
of the United States. There is no bottom
rail now, all arso on, top. Time in its
ceaseiess course drified MS on and on
from that early day and soon. from the
very nature of our Government. civil war
sprung up, in all its wild passions and
devastation. embrt tering friend against
friend, dividing ehe2 benefactor from the
beneficiary and ctihsing the world to stand
aghast at the conhict.Q The temperaments
of those friends-the man of riches and
the wood seller-led them far apart for
more than four years, One cast his des-
tiny with the South. the other with the
North. AS the war progressed this young
wood seller gradually unfolded the quail
ties of a great military leader. and was
advanced from grads TO grade. from sec
ton to section. frOm:VicksbUrg to the Po-
tomac, from the Potomac to Richmond,
and from Richmond to the Presidency,
ever equal to any demand or any emergen-
cy. This man was Ulysses s. Grant. one
Of the greatest military men the world
has ever seen. one whose greatness Of
head and heart Increased to the utmost
limit of life, whose dying words fell from
his pen
Like roses from the lips OF Angelo.
And angels might stoop TO pick them up
"As the war progressed this wood
his ante-belIum friend became poorer and
poorer. his property being seized, sold,
and confiscated. so that when the cruel
war was over he had no place he could
call his home. no resting place for his
weary feet.
Some years after the surrender of Cen
eral Lee, Churchill concluded to return to
his old Kentcuky home for the purpose of
starting again in life. and. if possible,
H. I.,s-~ F1pna d saTa1
regain the lost dollars. In going home
ward from Richmond he passed through
Washington, where from the politeness of
his nature he felt II to be his duty and
pleasure to call on his old friend, Grant,
who in the strange legerdemain OF poll
tics, fate, brains and fortune, had be-
come President. Churchill said he ap-
preached the White House with fear and
trembling. not knowing how he would be
received, If, indeed, he were received at
all.
This apprehension showed he did not
know the rich qualities of head and heart
of his old friend The reception-room was
full OF Senators. Congressman, and 9TH
ers awaiting their time and turn on the
GU side. to be called into the Presidents
room. This alarmed him that much more.
fully confirming his belief that he would
have TO leave without seeing the Presi-
dent. With all these doubts he still ven
tured to send his card in. As soon as the
President saw the name upon ii he came
to the door himself, called him Sam,
and invited him in. in a spirit that showed
him to be not only great in reputa ton,
but also great in heart. As soon as the
door was closed between them and the
outside crowd the President told the ser
want to notify the others he would rot
see them for half an hour.
Churchill told ne ne did not know what
was TO become OF him. All kinds OF
thoughts were rushing into his head, such
as prisons eXpatrlation. and other pun
ishment for treason These were soon ST.
fenced. as the President said to him: sam.
how are you? Sit down and take smoke.
You used to glvSs me the best Havanas |
when | could not buy; now | want to re-
turn some OF the past favors. Have you
any money? How is your wardrobe? Do |
you want anything do you want an
office? Can / be- of sany service TO you
whatever? | think more OF those Who |
were mY friends Nhen.I was helpless, @ith |
a growing family on py hands. than | do |
for all such time sewers as stand on the |
outside waiting to press me for places
Churchill was overcome by such no |
bility OF sentiment aud such generosity, |
but he replied: ~
I am a rebel dfresh from the Confed- |
crate Army, and L have too high an opin- |
ion OF you as our conqqeror and as an old |
time friend to ask any special favor at |
your hands | Would accept nothing that |
would embarrass you IN the lines of your
own party. | have no right to ask any |
thing; ! did not come here for that pur- |
pose. l only came TO see what changes, |
if any. had come over the spirit of my old |
friend
THE President replied: i care nothing |
for all that There are obligations strong