The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-11-16

While at Denver last month Major
John Davidson told me story about
Gen. Grants service us deputy sher.
iff at Prairie du Chien, Wis, in 1850
Davidson lived at Prairie du Chen at
that time. He is now resident of
Junction City, Kan.
"a merchant named Ammen encoun-
tered financial difficulties and his store
was closed.
Among those Ammen owed was the
firm of Grant & Co. of Galena, ILL.,,
the head of the firm being ten.
Grants father. AS soon as the Galena
firm heard that the store was closed,
Capt. Grant 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 stand in the store, and let 1t be
known that he would shoot down any
man who entered the store.
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
to see the whole show. We stood in
the street In front of the law office of
o. B. Thomas, afterwards n captain
in Wisconsin regiment and then in
Congress four or five terms, while the
ex-regular captain re-enforced himself
with the required legal papers. That
done, we followed him to the sheriffs
Office, and when the sheriff, Lawyer
Thomas and Capt. Grant started for
the store, where we were sure some
body would be killed, we followed at
n respectful distance and closed in
when the store was reached.
"The sheriff commanded -immen to
open the door.
II will not open the door, and I will
Kill 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
desperate and would be pretty sure to
kill some one.
ihCIt W uo ItSItuhts VII tlc part vi
the sheriff, whereupon Capt. Grant
quietly said, If you don't want to risk
it, make me a deputy and 1 will try
it.
"That was done. Our gang crowded
up closer to the door.
"'As an officer of the law, Mr.. Am
men, command you to open this door,
said the newly made deputy sheriff.
:" 4 refuse, and again warn you and
your crowd that death awaits the man
! who breaks into this store
"Capt. Grant stepped back a couple
)of yards and springing forward plant
ed both feet against the door, hurting
} IT. from Its hinges.
"There the old merchant stood, shot
gun in hand, but he seemed to be daz-
ed. Capt Grant quietly walked past
him and proceeded direct to the Office,
at the other end of the store, the old
man following, carrying the gun in his
right hand At the Office Capt Grant
removed his hat, hung it up, and turn
ing to the merchant, said, Mr.. Am
put yOui Sun away anu utlD
take an account of our firms part of
this stock of goods and Mr.. Ammen
obeyed like n soldier.
"We youngsters were looking for
tragedy, not comedy, and dispersed
good deal disgusted.
II didn't see Capt. Grant again un-
Ill March, 1864, when he came to the
Army of the Potomac in Virginia. He
was Lieut.. Gen. Grant then, and no
had much harder job on hand than
that one at Prairie du Chen, but, back
ed by Uncle Sam and powerful army
and wide-awake navy, 1t took him
-oHly year to kick the Confederacy
Into worse confusion than old man
Ammen's store was that morning in
1860"
Whe Capt. Grant was selling goods
in southwestern Wisconsin, the year
before the war, he disposed of a bill
to shoemaker at Spring Green, Grant
county. 1t developed that the shoe.
maker was much better buyer than
payer. Grant made numerous attempts
u coilcSt the Diii, Dut WITHOUT avail. In
spite of the fact that he was known
as a remarkably good collector.
After the seller of leather had be-
come famous as head OF the army and
was winning great battles, the Spring
Green shoemaker had good deal to
say about his personal acquaintance
with Gen. Grant
The shoemaker had son who was
lacking in wit, though he was not
wholly an idiot.
One evening, when half dozen pat.
rons were in the shop, the old man told |
interesting stories about Grants visits |
and chats in his place, much to the de
light of his hearers. The half-wlt was
also an attentive listener.
Mrs. Shoemaker called her husband
TO the house.
During his absence the son took his
fathers place rs talker about the
great general.
"You bet pop'll never forget Capt.