The Washington herald., 1907-04-01

Scranton Pa. March Sl.-Hon. Galusha
a. Grow, father of the homestead law.
ana during the civil war Speaker Of the
House. at Washington, died at II O'Clock
his morning at his home in Gienwo0d,
near this city where he has lived for
seventy-three years. His age was eighty
three years and eleven months.
NIr. Grow has been i'll for nearly
month Less than five weeks ago he was
seen walking about the streets of this
city. apparently erect and active
Death was due to general debility, and
then, at the last heart failure 1t was
a very peaceful end, with none of his
blood. relatives IN attendance. Mr.. Grow
never married and was one Of family
OF six children none of whom is left His
relatives consist Of number Of nephews
and nieces, scattered through the United
States. bis favorite niece being Mrs.
George W. Benedict, jr.. of this city.
She spent a great part OF her time at his
home.
He leaves a large estate, much of which
he accumulated during the autumn of his
life by shrewd investments in bituminous
coal Up TO the last he took an active
interest in political matters. and had
written during the past few years sew
erai Interesting newspaper stories Of his
Congressional experiences
Born in Connections.
Gamsha A Grow was born at Ashford,
now Eastford, Windham County, Conn.
August 81, 1923, the youngest son in
family of six children. When he was
three years old his father died. and seven
years later his mother moved to Glen
wood. Susquehanna County, Pa, which
continued to be Mr.. Grows home up to
the time of his DEATH
In 1874 he graduated from Amherst Col
lege with high honors. He studied law in
an Office at AIontrose, Pa. and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1877, Ia 1851 a split In
the local Free Soil Democratic party in
Susquehanna County resulted in Grow
being selected as the compromise candi-
date for Congress. He was elected and
t1ok his seat March T. 1851, the youngest
member Of the Thirty-second Congress.
He served six successive terms, the last
three as a Republican.
Mr. Grow took leading part in the
House almost from his first appearance
there. Congress was trying 20 stTaighten
out the momentous questions which pre-
ceded the civil war, and Grow plunged
into the controversy with all the force OF
his nature.
On February 5. 1855, he had a personal
encounter on the floor Of the House with
Representative Keitt, of South Carolina,
Keitt, resenting an objection which Grow
had made TO message from President
Buchanan asking for the admission of
Kansas 10 the Union, walked over to him
and asked what he meant by objecting.
Then ne added:
II you want to object, go over to your
own side"
Grow responded:
It's a free hall; I'll be where please"
Keitt sneered back You're nothing but
a black Republican puppy. Go back to
bouF own side"
Grow retorted: NO matter what 1 am.
no nigger driver can crack his whip over
ne"
knocks Keitt Down.
Then Keitt struck at the Pennsylvania
Congressman, missed, and got in return
a blow behind the ear which sent him
10 his knees. What was almost a free-for-
all fight between the two sides of the
House followed, but later Keitt apollo
gized.
For the plucky stand which he took on
the floor that day the Kansas Free State
settlers presented Mr.. Grow gold medal,
bearing on one side figure Of an up
lifted arm and the legend: ''The first blow
struck for freedom"
In the next Congress Grow had par
iamentary controversy with Representa-
tive Branch, of North Carolina, which re-
suited in the latter challenging him to
fight duel. Mr. Grow refused 10 accept
the challenge. and for a time he went
about guarded by his friends.
The Thirty-seventh Congress. which as
Eensbled in extra session on July (, 1851
elected Grow Speaker. This was the
civil war Congress.
For ten years. at the beginning of every
Congress, he introduced his bill II was
finally passed in 1852 In that year. after
q reapportionment of his district Mr.
Grow WAS beaten.
After an absence Of thirty-One years he
Te-entered the House as Congressman-at-
large from Pennsylvania, and continued
TO serve until 1902, when he retired at the
age OF seventy-Hine years. his mind stiH
keen and active President Hayes ten
dered him a diplomatic appointment to
Russia, but he declined.
From 1S1 to 1915 Mr.. Grow was presi-
dent of the International and Great
l. E1aaH