Evening star., 1905-11-11
STORY OF GEN. GRANT.
How, When a Young Man, He Called a
Debtors Bluff.
From the Chicago Journal.

From the Chicago Journal.
While 1 was in Denver last month Ma
jor John Davidson told me a story about
General Grants service a deputy sheriff
at Prairie du Chen, Wis, in 1850 David
son lived in Prairie du Chen at that time.
He Is now resident of Junction City. Kan.
"A merchant named Ammen encountered
financial difficulties and his store was
closed.
Among those Amm,n owed was the firm
OF Grant & Co. of Galena, H. said Major
Davidson, the head OF the firm being U, s.
Grants father. AS soon as the Galena
firm heard that the store was closed,
Grant. then captain was sent to Prairie
du Chen to look into the matter. Reach
ing there he learned that Mr. Ammen had
armed himself with shotgun taken a
stand in the store. and let 1t be known
that he would shoot down any man who
entered the place.
Everybody in town was excited over the
situation. and when Capt Grant arrived it
was predicted that he would not risk his
life in an attempt to enter the place of
business.
"A lot of US young fellows decided 20 see
the whole show. We stood in the street
Ill front of the law office OF o. b. Thomas
tafterward captain in a Wisconsin regi-
ment, and then In Congress, where he had
been four or five years. while the ex-regu-
lar captain reinforced himself with the
required legal papers. That done we fol-
lowed him to the sheriffs office and when
the sheriff. Lawyer Thomas and CAPTAIN
Grant started for the store, where we were
sure somebody would be killed we followed
at a respectful distance and closed In when
the store reached.
he sheriff commanded Ammen to open
the 3 door; ,,I;, -. ~
you or any Of your crowd if you force your
way into the building was Ammen's reply
The sheriff said the old man was des-
some one.
There was hesitancy on the part of the
sherin, whereupon Grant quietly said: If
you DON want to risk it. make me dep
THAT was done Our gang crowded I'D
closer to the door.
AS an officer of the law. Mr. Ammen.
command you to open this door, said the
newly-made deputy sheriff
refuse. and again warn you and your
crowd that death awaits the man who
breaks into this store
captain Grant stepped back a couple of
yards, and springing forward. planted both
feet against the door, hurting 1t from its
hinges.
There the old merchant stood. sbotpun
| III hand, but he seemed to be dazed Can't
Grant walked past him and proceeded d.
rect to the office at the other end of the
store the old man following carving his
gun in his right hand. At the Office Can
tain Grant removed his hat, hung it up.
and turning to the merchant said: Mr.
Ammen. put your gun away and help me
take an account of our firms part of this
stock OF ofsgoods. and Mr.. Ammen obeyed
like soldier.
I'VE youngsters were looking for tragedy.
not comedy. and dispersed, good deal dis
gusted.
II did not see Capt Grant again until
March, 1854 when he came to the Army of
the Potomac. In Virginia. He was Lieu
to mt nnf thn,,
much harder job On hand than that one at
Prairie du Chen. but, backed by Uncle
Sam and a powerful army and a wide
awake navy, 1t took him only a year to
kick the confederacy into worse confusion
than old man Ammen's store was that
morning in 1S60.
When Capt. Z. s; Grant was selling goods
in southwestern Wisconsin the year before
the war he disposed of a bill to a SHOE
maker at Spring Green. Grant county 1t
developed that the shoemaker was a much
better buyer than payer. Grant made .nu--
merous attempts to collect the bin. but
without avail. in spite of the fact that he
was known as remarkably good collector.
After the seller of leather had become fa-
nous as the head of the army and was WIN
ming great battles. the Spring Green shoe
maker had good deal to say about his
personal acquaintance with Gen. Grant.
The shoemaker had a son who was lack
ing in wit. One evening. when half a
dozen patrons were in the shop, the old
man told interesting stories about Grants
visits and chats In his place, much to the
delight of his hearers. The boy was also
ar attentive listener.
Mrs. Shoemaker called her husband TO
the house. During his absence the son took
his fathers place as a taIker about the
great general
you bet popll never forget Capt. Grant,
remarked the lad, who said no more until
one of the visitors asked why
Pop wouldn't pay Capt. Grant for some
luther pop bought. I'll bet he asst pop morn
a hundred times to pay for that luther, and
pop just told him he didn't hef ter. One
day. after the captain had asst pop real hard
for the money. pop said he would never pay
IL. Then Capt. Grant went right out Of the
shop and unhitched his team Jest before
he got into his wagon he called pop out, and
he said: o you won't pay that bflir No.
won't and pop started back to the shop.
Quicker'n you could say Jack Robinson.
Capt. Grant came up behind pop and gave
him four of the hardest kicks ever seen
man git. and then he got into his wagon
and druv away. I motifs pop don't tell you
about that when he 8its ter tallLin about
oeonk"