Letters, 1881 Page 663
May 4th 81
Tho (?) E. Blount Esq
Civil Engineer Winona Minn
My dear Blount
I was delighted to receive your letter of the 18th ult. and am glad to know that you are yet in harness and prosperous. – The Geo. Western may make a leap in the general “boom”, but there is as yet no substantial evidence that means will be provided to push it along. – My confidence in the merits of route in unabated, and I feel assured that sooner or later it will be built. –
Mr. Peters is still living and is looking young & vigorous. – He was somewhat embarrassed pecuniarily by the great financial depression but has entirely recovered from it and is now “master of the situation.” –
Atlanta is prosperous beyond our most sanguine anticipations. – The population, trade and permanent improvements have increased most rapidly within the past two years than at any previous time in its history. – Building and other improvements are now in active progress and the present year bids fair to exceed the past. –
I would be glad to further your wishes about investments here. – I know of nothing safe and with promise of steady advance in value, than well selected real estate in this city. – You would be surprised to see the activity in business here during the cotton season. – Eight years ago our receipts did not exceed 30,000 bales. – Of the present crop we have already received 124,000 bales. It is the only city in the south that has an active trade throughout the entire year. –
Would be very glad to see you here, and your would meet with a cordial welcome from many of your friends of “Lang Syne”.-
Remember me kindly to your family. –
With kind regards & best wishes,
Your friend
L. P. Grant
Page 666
May 24th 81
A. J. Garrison Esq
Cleburne Johnson Co. Texas
Dear Garrison
I enclose a check on New York endorsed to your order which I wish you to either endorse to the order of John H. Lea or convert into currency and remit to Vena (?) with my love. – Tell her that I want to hear from her, and know of her health and prospects. –
I recently returned from a trip over some of the Railroad of Texas going via Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Hearne (?), Bremond (?), Waco and up the new Central to Cisco in Eastland Co. – Thence by Texas & P. to Colorado City in Mitchell County, where I took a private conveyance south about 20 miles south to some of the lands of Tho. J. Grant & Co. of which I own 1/3rd. – Would have been delighted to visit your family but time would not admit. Am delighted with the trip. – Had many kind attentions from RR officials. – A special caboose at my disposal nearly the entire trip in Texas.
With much love to all, and the request that you acknowledge this, I am
Your friend & uncle
All well - L. P. Grant
[This is to his son John explaining his imminent marriage plans]
Page 672
W.P.& ???
G.M.
My dear John,
As the purpose for which I purchased your house has leaked out here in certain quarters, I feel that I have, perhaps, too long withheld the same from you. –
My intention is to occupy the house myself in the fall, say Oct or Novr with the present Mrs. Crew, as housekeeper, then to be Mrs. Grant. –
I first confided this matter to your sisters & their husbands, - then to my very good friends Dr. & Mrs. Logan. – They have all endorsed it cordially – the latter especially delighted in view of it. – I dined to-day with Dr. & Mrs. Logan, Jeannie & Laura Lee. – The latter has recently been admitted to a knowledge of the proposed arrangement. – She is slightly non-committal as to the propriety of the new step. –
Whatever prejudices may exist in your mind against this marriage as an act, there surely can be none against the person I have selected. – Her exemplary conduct, and beautifully consistent Christian life have won the commendation of all good people who have known her married and long widowed life. – Your mother esteemed her highly, and I have learned to love her most truly and deeply. – But the love of the memory of the dear one who has been taken from us, dwells as surely and safely with me as in all the past. –
Myra & Lettie have endeavored to make my home pleasant. – Have anticipated my wants and have been in every way kind, attentive and loving to me. – And yet the past two years have been a blank in my life. –
I trust John that the happiness of your father will outweigh any prejudices that may exist in your mind against the step which I am about to take. –
When will you come to see us all? –
With much love
Your aff. Father
L. P. Grant
Page 680
Atlanta July 26 / 81
My Dear Niece
Your business letter of recent date was duly recd. – I am not able to refer to the text now as the letter is at my house and I am writing in the office. – I am very much pressed for time to-day. – I marry to-morrow at Madison, 67 miles from here, and go thence directly to a watering place in Va. – The lady is 10 years my junior – was an intimate friend of my wife – has been 15 years a widow – showing an exemplary & beautiful life. – You would learn to love her, if thrown with her. –
I was elected President of the Atlanta & West Point Railroad Co. yesterday and am exceedingly hurried in preparing to leave for Madison at 5 AM to-morrow. – I have borrowed the money & send your check on New York for $200.00 payable to your order. – Hope it may help to work out the place proposed and that the plan may be as successful as you anticipate. – With much love to all - Yr aff. Uncle
L. P. Grant
Elenor Tebbetts (?)
C…. (?) Falls, Good County, Maine (?)
Page 682
G. Cantrell Esq Oct 18th 81
251 Fourth Avenue
New York N.Y.
Dear Sir
Near the 30th of Sept or early in this month my wife ordered from you a pair of shoes to be sent to my address by Express C.O.D. The shoes have not come to hand and Mrs. Grant is troubled about it as she cannot wear shoes not made by careful measurement of her feet. – Your reputation for skill and promptness gave her hopes of a comfortable fit and early arrival here. – If you have not made & forwarded the shoes, please do so promptly, or advise me, that they may be purchased elsewhere –
Yrs very truly
L. P. Grant
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