Letters, 1880 [This lady becomes his second wife]
Page 561
Jany 20th 80
Mrs. Jane L. Crew
Madison Ga
Dear Friend –
I have not forgotten the promise made to you many months ago that I would seek to obtain some position for your brother, Charles. I am now able to offer him a place in connection with the Agency of this Road at La Grange.
The question which troubles me, is one that I am constrained to ask you. Are you confident that his reformation is well grounded in the matter of intemperance, in intoxicating drinks? – The situation I refer to would give say $50.00 per month. – If he takes it there can be no question that, for his comfort and safety, his wife and children should be with him.
You can readily understand, and take in this whole situation. - If he is under good, restraining influences now, with even inadequate pay, shall we risk a change apparently better in some respects? - I trust that you will have sufficient confidence in me to write your opinion of the case, without reserve.
Truly your friend
L. P. Grant
Page 583
April 6th 80
Mess. Farmer & Archer
Richmond Va
Gents
The agents of the Peabody Ed. Fund have decided to remove the Normal school from Nashville to Atlanta. – The question of location is now before the Trustees of State Ga University who are empowered by act of our Legislature to locate such Normal School in event of its removal to this State. –
Certain localities have been offered as donations but there is no unoccupied location as eligible as yours within the same distance from the centre of the city. – If you will offer a portion of your tract, say the remaining part on Fair Street [Memorial Drive] extending back even with the rear line of that portion sold, I am inclined to the belief that the remainder will sell for as much money as the whole will probably bring without this stimulus. – I would be willing, however, for the benefits to myself, to give you $1000.00 in event the offer of the tract should be made and accepted by the Trustees. – I made a pencil sketch of the portion which would in my opinion be considered by the Trustees. Please reply.
Yrs very truly
L. P. Grant
Page 595
Atlanta May 8th 1880
Col. N. H. Dabney
Rome Ga
Dear Sir
Some 3 mos ago, I was approached by Capt Burke in reference to the sale of 2 lots on Pryor Street belonging to the Est of Mrs. Williams. – I fixed the price of the two lots at $3,000 on a cash basis – or if one of the lots only was needed, at $1750.00 for the corner and $1250.00 for the inside lot. – Capt Burke concluded that the lots had not sufficient depth for his purpose, and the matter was dropped. – Yesterday he approached me again on this subject. I replied that I would add to my former offer, interest, and the taxes for 1880, the latter being now fixed against the Est., but that I would ask your opinion as to the propriety of selling now at the above price with additions as named. – Real Estate is advancing slowly but certainly, and I think we can make a better sale before the 1st of next April. – I will adopt your suggestion either way. –
When can you join me in the deed to Laura McKay of the Wheat St House Lot?
With kind regards Yrs very truly L. P. Grant
Page 597
May 13th 80
Col. T. B. Ray
Selma Ala
Dear Col.
I have your letter of the 12th and am glad to renew the brief acquaintance made under circumstances of great trial and tribulation to me. – My house escaped the torch which was so generally applied by Sherman’s hosts on leaving Atlanta. – The surroundings are now rather attractive, especially the lawn and grove in front. But the light of the household has left us for a better country, where wars and suffering shall never come. – My dear wife died on the 25th of May of last year of typhoid pneumonia – six days previous to her death she was in full health. – Your acquaintance was too slight to have appreciated her worth. – The house is desolate to me though filled with children and grandchildren, who vie with each other in kindness. –
The information requested, I give to the best of my knowledge. –
(1) The distance from Atlanta to Jonesboro by railroad is 21 miles.
(2) The same by dirt road, if the most direct practicable, is about
18 ½ miles. – If by the dirt road which follows the ridge way
and near the railroad the distance is about 21 miles.
(3) The distance from Atlanta to Decatur by dirt road is 6 miles.
(4) Distance from Atlanta to Cobbs Mill about 4 miles.
(5) Distance from Atlanta to Decatur via Cobbs Mill, by any
Practicable roads, is about 12 miles.
I suppose the last enquiry relates to the movement of Harden’s Corps on the night of July 21st & morning of 22nd 1864. – Any further information in my possession will be cheerfully given, if requested.
Yrs very truly
L. P. Grant
[to his nephew, Calvin]
page 600
May 24th 80
Calvin G. Grant – Mossy Creek
Tenn.
My dear nephew
I enclose passes to Chattanooga and Nashville. – also $5.00 for incidental expenses.
You have now had advantages which if well improved should fit you for starting in the battle of life. – The future will be bright or sombre as you make it. – If you expect to be useful and happy you must be industrious and diligent. – Young men do not choose labor, but success without labor is the exception and not the rule. – Do not rely on others to help you to a place but take hold of something and show that you are in earnest. –
I shall always feel a lively interest in your progress and welfare, and shall be glad to use any influence I may have in your promotion, but my days of active service are drawing to a close and with my retirement my small influence in railroad circles will be utterly gone. I hope you will reach home in excellent health and spirits.
With much love and earnest good wishes,
Your uncle
L.P. Grant
Please ask Mr. Russell and Mr. Mcauless to state the amount due and I will remit the money.
[Description of a house in the Grant Park neighborhood]
Page 630
Nov 4th 80
Freeman Lovejoy Esq
Care of J. H. Lovejoy Esq
Dadeville La
Dear Sir
Your friend Mr. Camp has requested me to write and state to you my price & terms for the Dabney House & Lot which you looked at during your visit to Atlanta. –
As you did not examine the interior of the house I will describe it as I recollect it, tho’ I have not been through it for some years. – The improvement was completed in 1869 and is therefore eleven years old. - The main house is 1½ stories high – the lower being 12 ft high. – It is, I think, 48 ft long and 42 feet wide – and divided on the lower floor into 4 Rooms, 4 closets, and a main hall through from front to rear 10 feet in the clear. – The four rooms are I think 18 feet square in the clear. – In the hall is the stairway leading to the second story. – This story is unfinished. - There is head room or height between floor & roof for 4 small rooms or two large ones. – The Ell (?) was completed and occupied by Mrs. Dabney & family before the main house was commenced. – It is about 50 ft long by 28 wide – the width including the verandah which extends the length of the Ell. – It is divided into 3 rooms of about 16 x 18 net in the clear. – A basement room under the Ell was used as a dining room until the main building was completed. – You saw the out buildings. – The interior finish of the House & Ell is good. – The cost of improvements including front fence was $8,500.00, but prices of labor & materials in 1869 were much higher than now. – I estimate that an expenditure of $300.00 will put the premises in good repair. – The lot is 558 feet north & south and 750 feet east & west. - The net quantity of land is 9 6/10
Acres. – Estimating half the width of street on the East, as is the custom here, as a part of the lot, the quantity of land is 10 acres. –
I propose to sell for $4,000.00 – 1/4th cash with 1-2 & 3 years on the balance at 7% interest, with the privilege of paying sooner if you should desire to do so. – The buildings to be insured at not less than $3,000.00 and the policy to be controlled to me. – The buildings are now insured for $3,500.00. Real Estate in the Eastern suburbs of the city has not advanced in the same ratio as in the northern & western suburbs. Land on Peach Tree Street beyond the city limits is now selling on Blocks of 4 acres at $1000.00 pr acre without improvements – an advance of 100 per cent in the last 6 mths. – Central business property has advanced about 25 per cent since Jany 1st. Property in my neighborhood has not been in request. –I desire to state these matters fairly to you. – My confidence in the ultimate value of the property is not in the least shaken. – Atlanta will have a more rapid growth in the next 3 years than at any former time in her history. – The improvements of the present year will aggregate at least $500,000.00
You will of course desire to have your friend Mr. Camp make a critical examination of the House etc. if you entertain any proposition. – I will go with him at any time and we will make up an exact statement of the improvements. My proposition will remain open for two weeks. Yrs very truly
L. P. Grant
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