A Comprehensive Account of
President Ulysses S. Grant’s Visit to
Chautauqua County
August 1875
Compiled for the Robert H. Jackson
Center by Kathleen A. Crocker
March 2002
© 2002 Kathleen A. Crocker
Jamestown, New York 14701
Contents
The Chautauqua Assembly
Preliminary Plans
The Invitation
Unexpected Complications
President Grant’s Visit to Jamestown
Saturday, August 14, 1875
The Journey to Chautauqua
President Grant’s Visit to Chautauqua
August 14 and August 15, 1875
The Value of President Grant’s Visit
Bibliography
The Chautauqua Assembly
The Chautauqua Institution had its beginnings on August 4, 1874, at Fair Point, New York, on the west shore of Chautauqua Lake near Mayville. The co-founders of the Chautauqua Assembly, Lewis Miller and John Heyl Vincent, were both involved in the Methodist ministry in the late 19th century. Aware that Sunday school instruction was invaluable to the common man, the partners recognized the need for more competent Sunday school teachers.
Once they had developed their program, Miller and Vincent deliberated over an ideal location for the summer studies course. The Akron, Ohio, businessman, and the preacher, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sought the perfect environment for teachers and students to meet to exchange ideas. Miller chose an outdoor setting of natural beauty already familiar to him, property belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fair Point, later renamed Chautauqua.
Chautauqua’s original mission was more effective religious education training, comparable to the normal school preparation for public school teachers, all for the betterment of society. In time, Miller and Vincent masterminded what evolved into a vigorous movement in popular education in America.
The Chautauqua Movement promoted intelligence and culture, embracing cofounder John Heyl Vincent’s original concept of Chautauqua: “All Things of Life...Art, Science, Society, Religion, Patriotism, Education...whatever tends to enlarge and ennoble.”
According to Theodore L. Flood, a Methodist minister and founding editor of The Chautauqua Daily Assembly Herald and The Chautauquan Daily, Chautauqua, in its formative years, was not frequented by people from Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh but, rather, by those from Chautauqua County and Jamestown, in particular. Local residents arrived in great numbers, paid the required entrance fees, and established their tents and cottages near the original auditorium. Built in 1876 as a rudimentary outdoor open-air amphitheater, it immediately became the center of the Assembly’s activities. The Jamestown contingent in the initial years was noticeably larger than other represented villages.
Originally from nearby Meadville, Pennsylvania, Reverend Flood was called upon to play an important role in the destiny of the Chautauqua Institution. Flood credited Jamestown businessmen for their foresight and wisdom regarding the importance of this newly organized Assembly located less than 18 miles away. He wrote in 1891 that local merchants foresaw “the coming multitude passing through their streets, stopping at their stores, increasing their trade, and filling their coffers with money: hotel men had dreams of summer visitors who could not be accommodated at Chautauqua, swarming in the rooms and corridors of their hotels, giving a new impetus to their trade...preachers stationed at different points on the lake, “ he noted,” were the focus and they could go at small cost to see eminent men and hear their teachings.”
He then commented about wealthy oilmen from his home state who, to avoid boredom and monotony in their own towns, found Chautauqua an attractive retreat where, fortunately, they, along with others, came from greater distances to “put money, and brains, and influence, and organizing ability to work to make an Athens of the beautiful grove that borders the shores of Chautauqua Lake.”
It was very apparent to Flood, however, that “...in the early dawn of the Chautauqua day...[it was primarily the] local population [who] put out its hands and paid the gate fees, thus creating a revenue which soon placed the whole enterprise on a firm financial basis and established the center of this movement in that grove.”
Preliminary Plans
In June of 1875, cofounder John Heyl Vincent invited his dear friend Dr. Theodore L. Flood, pastor of the Jamestown First Methodist Episcopal Church, to visit him at the Chautauqua Assembly to brainstorm a means of promoting the Assembly on a national basis.
After experiencing his first steamer ride up the lake from the Jamestown outlet to the grounds of the Institution, Flood met with Vincent to decide upon the best possible publicity for the Assembly’s second year, one certain to attract the attention of people throughout the country. Although an invitation to the noted religious orator, Henry Ward Beecher, was considered, Vincent and Flood also consulted with Dr. Vincent’s wife who heartily suggested postponing Beecher’s visit.
Instead, the trio decided that President Ulysses S. Grant would be the ideal choice. Not only was he the sitting president, but he was also the Commander-in-Chief to thousands of soldiers who had recently returned home to Western New York after the Civil War. At that exact time, Grant was greatly appreciated as “...a man who had wrought grandly for his country in the hour of her peril.”
Coincidentally, President Ulysses S. Grant and John Heyl Vincent had already met in Virginia and had corresponded during the course of the Civil War. In the early 1860s, Vincent was pastor of the Methodist Church in Galena, Illinois, the town in which Grant and his brother had operated a leather business.
Although he was not a member, Grant had attended that church and was, thus, a parishioner and personal friend of Vincent. What could be better advertising for the newly organized Chautauqua Assembly than a visit from the President of the United States?
Although it was generally known that Grant seldom spoke in
public, Flood believed that Grant’s “...presence would attract
attention to Chautauqua; the newspapers would talk about his coming, his staying
and his going and it would give an immense amount of free [needed] advertising...”
to Fair Point. Vincent concurred, adding that it
“...would be a positive gain for the Bible, the Sunday School, and the
Christian Church if the President of the United States should [agree to] come
[to Chautauqua]...”
In retrospect, Vincent’s invitation to President Grant, according to a series of articles written by Robert Holder, focused “...national attention on a remote, and little-known grove of pines, oaks and maples, where worshippers lived in tents lighted at night by oil lamps, or outside illumined by the flickering flames of smoky pine torches, a rustic and almost primaevil forest glen destined to grow into what [was to become] the world famous Chautauqua Institution.”
The Invitation
Dr. Vincent then prevailed upon Reverend Flood to serve as his emissary; he was persuaded to travel to Long Branch, New Jersey, President Grant’s seaside estate, to extend a personal invitation to the President to visit Chautauqua later during that summer of 1875.
Flood was hesitant since he had never met Grant, but Vincent assured him that with the proper letter of introduction from Vincent to his former parishioner, all would be in order. Furthermore, Vincent suggested that ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton, a prominent Jamestown citizen, might also be willing to assist them with their plans.
When Flood arrived at the President’s estate, he received a cordial welcome, and their appointment was arranged during Grant’s habitual relaxation and “smoking period” held early each afternoon. Although President Grant certainly recalled his former pastor, he was curious about the invitation, posing the following three questions:
l. “Where is Chautauqua located?”
2. “What is the distance from Long Branch?”
3. “What kind of meetings are held there?”
Since Chautauqua had finished only one very short season, Flood was somewhat at a loss to explain much about the Assembly and its purpose and simply invited Grant to be part of their program on a Sabbath. Grant reportedly responded, “I shall be obliged to time my absence by my public duties, but I think I shall take pleasure in making the visit.”
No doubt, with great relief and excitement, Flood sent a telegraph dispatch to Vincent, using their predetermined code name for the President: “Jonathan says he will come.” Although additional invitations were extended, Grant thought he might be traveling to Chautauqua with only General Babcock, his personal secretary, and his son. Grant also preferred to assume responsibility for his own travel arrangements.
Flood then asked the President the most important question of all - Would President Grant prefer to take lunch upon his arrival on Saturday at Governor Fenton’s home in Jamestown or “...pass on up the lake?” To Flood’s dismay, Grant unhesitatingly chose the second option which meant that the President would bypass Jamestown altogether.
The so-called “breach” between President Grant and ex-Governor Reuben Fenton, Jamestown’s revered native son, one of the founders of the Republican Party, involved political patronage. Grant had recognized his personal friend Senator Conkling rather than Fenton as the Republican Party leader in New York State, an obvious affront to Fenton. As a result, the latter had opposed Grant’s election.
Grant’s refusal to lunch at Governor Fenton’s home was unexpected and created numerous problems for Flood who needed to devise a quick solution to ensure that Grant not overlook Jamestown on his trip to Chautauqua. In addition, it was essential to preserve peace in the city’s social and political circles.
Before leaving New Jersey, Flood offered an alternate plan to President Grant. Would the President consider lunching at the home of Alonzo Kent, a successful Jamestown merchant and banker, along with Governor Washburn, a guest of Fenton, Fenton himself and a few others?
Without hesitation, Grant thought this plan “perfectly agreeable” so Flood departed with some satisfaction. He had delivered the invitation and would now, along with Dr. Vincent, prepare for the President’s journey to the Chautauqua region scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 1875.
Unexpected Complications
Because of Flood’s intense desire to honor President Grant’s wishes yet make certain that the President and his party not scorn the citizenry of Jamestown, “the messenger” had created an enormous problem that was about to mushroom. Flood had generously offered the hospitality of Alonzo Kent without the latter’s knowledge or consent.
In the interim, ex-Governor Fenton had discovered the Associated Press dispatches regarding the impending visit of President Grant to the region. He boldly appeared at Flood’s home, determined to speak with those in charge of the President’s travel arrangements. It was imperative for him to “show the President proper respect when he passes through our city.”
Flood acknowledged his role in the preparations and admitted that, indeed, President Grant had received an invitation to lunch at the home of Alonzo Kent. He apologetically informed Fenton that he had every intention of delivering invitations to both Fenton and Governor Washburn later that day.
Fenton was inordinately upset, finding the situation extremely embarrassing. He not only wanted the President to be entertained at Walnut Grove, his home, but Fenton believed he would “appear at a great disadvantage before the public, because I have been Governor of the state and Senator at Washington. To permit the President of the United States to pass through our city without inviting him to my house is a discourtesy that I cannot be party to. It ought to be arranged so that he can come to my house. I will provide for the entertainment of the President and his party. Any guests that you and Dr. Vincent may desire to be present, can be invited.”
Under the strained circumstances, Flood was tempted (but thought it too cruel) to tell Fenton, his fellow citizen, the truth: President Grant was emphatic about not visiting Fenton’s home. Years later, however, he admitted that he “was weak or [he] would have told him [Fenton] the conversation at Long Branch, and that the President refused to share the hospitality of his home.”
Immediately after Fenton left his home, Flood contacted Alonzo Kent, seeking a remedy. However, Fenton had already approached the banker about his displeasure. Ignorant of Flood’s presumptuous invitation, Kent was adamant that he had no knowledge of a luncheon and that Fenton must surely be mistaken. Kent knew nothing whatsoever about President Grant’s visit.
Relying on his friend’s generosity, Flood explained his dilemma to Alonzo Kent, practically pleading for his cooperation. Flood finally convinced the reluctant Kent to host the affair, emphasizing that it [the luncheon] “...will be a fine chapter in [your] family history” and, furthermore, the Kents would “always look back upon the event with great pride.”
Ironically, despite his haste and impetuousness, Flood had selected the ideal host for the presidential luncheon. When Kent moved from Vermont to Chautauqua County, he first worked as a “writing master.” After teaching penmanship, he operated a successful dry goods business for nearly 30 years. He then entered the world of banking, helping to organize what later became the First National Bank of Jamestown. He not only served as its first president but retained his association for many years.
He was also remembered as a generous supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was involved in its choral programs, and reportedly gave financial assistance, as well, to the newly-organized Chautauqua Assembly.
The Kent family enjoyed the same social status as many better-known Jamestown families including the Marvins, the Tews, the Fentons and the Broadheads. The Kent name eventually extended to nearby Lakewood, New York, when his nephew Alba M. Kent established the posh Kent House hostelry, one of the finest on Chautauqua Lake.
According to a biographical excerpt in The Centennial History of Chautauqua County, Alonzo Kent was the most suitable of choices to host the grand [presidential] affair because he was not only a worthy citizen, but, also, “...a pioneer and [a] thoroughly representative business man, a man of blameless life, who had risen to an independent position from a penniless condition.”
After the sumptuous 12-course luncheon at Kent’s fine home, President Grant and his host rode together to the Jamestown boat landing in a phaeton drawn by a handsome team of black horses. Well-wishers ran alongside on foot to glimpse the country’s leader who had taken the time to visit their city.
President Grant’s Visit to Jamestown, New York
Saturday, August 14, 1875
Although President Grant was not invited by any political organization, his visit caused great excitement among local politicians, mainly Orsinio (Sine) E. Jones, who was instrumental in the elaborate preparations made for the President’s arrival. In addition to the lavish displays of red, white and blue displayed by shopkeepers and home owners from their roofs, balconies and windows, an arch of evergreens bearing the inscription “Welcome to President U. S. Grant” stretched across the intersection of Main and Third Streets.
The Hon. Walter L. Sessions and Reverend Flood were sent to Salamanca, 30 miles east of Jamestown, to meet Grant’s special train and to accompany the presidential party to Jamestown. The terminus of the Erie Railroad at Salamanca joined the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad at that point. Their depots were located at Jamestown and Lakewood on Chautauqua Lake. Accompanied by General Babcock, his son and the Hon. Oliver Hoyt of Connecticut, President Grant was most curious about the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation through which they had passed. He quizzed Flood about the habits and religious customs of the Native Americans, as well as the local dairy industry and the price of land and homes in the area. No queries were made, however, concerning the region’s government or politics.
When the President’s train arrived in Jamestown around noon, excitement prevailed. Hordes of greeters crowded onto the tracks and the depot platform while local bands played “Hail to the Chief.” Also, from the front lawn of ex-Governor Fenton’s mansion, a cannon boomed a Presidential salute.
Host Alonzo Kent sent a dozen of his carriages to meet the President and his party to escort them back to his elegant home at the corner of East Fourth Street and Prendergast Avenue. The impressive brick mansion, completed in 1860, was one of the first modern homes in Jamestown, the perfect setting for the President’s 12-course luncheon.
Because it was one of the most elegant structures of its time, it became the mecca of the city’s social activities. In 1920, the Kent property was purchased by the Scottish Rite Bodies for $50,000 to become the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple.
In 2001, the property was purchased from the Scottish Rite and now serves as the current site of the Robert H. Jackson Center, “committed to preserving the memory, values, and artifacts of Supreme Court Justice Robert Houghwout Jackson, ...a native son whose career spanned from being a country lawyer to Solicitor General to Attorney General to the Supreme Court Justice who tried the top ranking Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg after World War II.”
The Journey to Chautauqua
President Grant and his host rode together to the Jamestown boat landing in a phaeton drawn by a handsome team of black horses. Well-wishers ran alongside to glimpse the country’s leader who had not only taken the time to visit their city but who appeared to have savored the experience.
After such a hearty welcome and a fine repast in the city, the trip’s organizers were concerned that President Grant’s pleasant social activity in Jamestown might make the Chautauqua Institution visit appear anticlimactic. Flood was cognizant that the visit “...required delicate management to receive the President of the United States and his train of noted politicians, to entertain them over the Sabbath, to keep everybody in good feeling, and to bring Chautauqua out with head up, crowned and made stronger and more beautiful by the experience.”
Heading the grand procession of steamboats up the lake was the 55-foot long steamer Josie Belle. Transformed for the festive occasion, the steamer had the honor of transporting President Grant, other dignitaries and members of the press. Fifty young ladies, members of The Clotho Society of the First Methodist Church, were largely responsible for the red, white and blue buntings, the profusion of flowers and the hanging of the presidential portrait on the vessel’s wall. The carpeting, “The Church and the Nation” banner flying from the staff, and President Grant’s special camp chair situated in the bow were amenities appreciated by the President who was lauded by the cheering crowds who lined the banks of Chautauqua Lake, waving from docks, landings and other craft.
Steaming up the lake in a triangular formation, the flotilla included 3,000 passengers on board the Jamestown sternwheeler, with entertainment provided by the Mayville band. Meanwhile, between 12,000 and 15,000 eager people awaited the President’s arrival on the Chautauqua Institution grounds, cheering and shouting in anticipation.
President Grant’s Visit to Chautauqua
August 14 and August 15, 1875
The President’s visit was a greatly anticipated event yet many people thought it might be merely a ploy to attract visitors to the Assembly. According to R. M. Warren, “Early on Saturday morning [August 14, 1875] the living tide of humanity began to pour upon the grounds. Every boat, large and small, was taxed to its utmost capacity, and a closely packed procession of loaded wagons, from the rural districts, streamed through the upper gate.”
Frequent telegrams informed the gathering of the progress of the steamers. By the time the steamboat parade was sighted rounding Long Point, the auditorium was completely filled, and a solid mass of humanity extended from there all the way down to the lake.
By 3:30 PM, when President Grant arrived at Chautauqua, over 20,000 people were within the gates. The regular police force, along with additional members hired for the occasion, cleared a space in front of the dock gate and an avenue wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The frustrated police chief had also stationed officers at intervals along the lines to maintain the cleared space.
As bells announced the President’s arrival, Dr. Vincent met the party dockside and, along with Chautauqua’s President Lewis Miller, accompanied President Grant from the pier to the auditorium, escorted also by police officers and other dignitaries. Although the exact order of events on that afternoon is unclear, Grant apparently appeared on the speaker’s stand in the auditorium to accept the crowds’ cheers and welcome.
Nicknamed the “Poet Laureate of Chautauqua” by Francis E. Willard, the founder of the WCTU, Mary A. Lathbury, wrote a “Song of Welcome” (sung to the tune of an old revival song, “Hold the Fort”) for the special occasion.
One stanza follows:
“Like the surge of hidden waters,
Like a wordless song;
Deep and strong the breath of welcome
Skims the waiting throng.”
Chorus:
“Greet him! Let the air around him
Benedictions bear!
Let the hearts of all the people
Circle him with prayer.
Heart and voice await to greet him,
Who our hosts has led.
Let the true heart of the nation
Greet the nation’s Head.”
According to The Chautauqua Herald Assembly of August 11, 1905, President Grant made the following short speech, the only one during his two day visit:
"Ladies and Gentlemen: I cannot thank you in a speech for this kindly greeting: I could not make myself heard by the entire crowd. I will have to leave it to the press of next week to extend to you my thanks, and to Dr. Vincent, who is an old friend of mine, and a better talker than I, to tell you how happy I am to be with you. I am glad to be here, and thank you for this cordial greeting.”
After shaking hands with some members of the audience, the President was escorted to his lodging, a large tent adjacent to Lewis Miller’s cottage, erected specifically for the President’s visit. Located on the upper side of the auditorium, the striped tent consisted of two compartments fronted by a wide veranda. Handsomely furnished and carpeted, a streamer over the tent’s entrance was inscribed with the single word “Rest,” indicating that the President would be in residence there on the Sabbath.
During Saturday’s praise service, the President supposedly listened to the religious and patriotic songs from his nearby tent. Thousands of Chinese lanterns, hanging from trees, cottages and tents illuminated the camp grounds. Cottages within the circle near the auditorium were gaily decorated while the platform itself was adorned with evergreens, flowers and flags representing numerous nations. To the delight of those gathered by the lake, the President’s first evening concluded on a high note, with a grand display of fireworks.
The following morning, the President attended Sunday school and then occupied a seat on the platform in the auditorium. At the end of the 11:00 AM worship service, President Grant was presented with two richly bound Bibles.
According to Helena M. Stonehouse’s account, Dr. Vincent made the following remarks as he presented the President a copy of both the Bagster Bible and one from the Tract Society : “I crave the privilege of making a few remarks to the President. We have enjoyed his visit and it has been a source of intense satisfaction to us. We have sought nothing at his hands. It is not a political visit. Indeed, he [President Grant] remarked to me this morning that he has never lately spent so long a time without having office-seekers after him. Gold and silver have we not and yet we wish to present to him some simple memorial. I, therefore, on behalf of this assemblage, present to him the symbol of our work, two copies of the Holy Bible.” In acceptance, the President bowed his thanks but spoke no words.
An elegant Sunday evening dinner party, devoid of ceremony, capped the President’s two-day visit to the area. It was held at the home of Chautauqua’s President Lewis Miller, who, “with urbanity, ease, and elegance,” had served as the President’s host during his stay and who personally incurred the weekend’s entertainment expenses.
Prior to his departure, President Grant expressed his appreciation and his intention to return the following year. To avoid excessive commotion, details regarding the President’s exit from the grounds were kept fairly secret. During a sermon, most likely on Sunday evening, the President was discreetly escorted from the auditorium to the pier to return home for his scheduled appointments.
Although the President never returned, he is said to have retained a “cordial interest” in Chautauqua and its work. Remembered kindly by Chautauquans, a memorial service was held in the Amphitheater in 1885, after President Grant’s death, nearly 10 years to the day after the Soldier-President’s visit to the Assembly.
The Value of President Grant’s Visit
After the elaborate planning and the numerous obstacles that had to be overcome to ensure the visit of the President of the United States to the Chautauqua Assembly, it is interesting to learn of the reactions of some of the key organizers.
R. M. Warren’s assessment was that the visit had been considerably expensive entertainment-wise. However, he deemed it “...a success for the Assembly, both in the way of helping the National idea, and also in the satisfaction and good will of the people, who were exceedingly grateful to the managers [of the Chautauqua Assembly] for such a favor.”
However, because of the enormous role he had played in the President’s visit, Reverend Theodore L. Flood’s thoughtful comments are the most meaningful and relevant. They begin: “...up to this date [August 1875] but one session of the Chautauqua Assembly had been held. The President was coming to the second meeting, in the second year.
“The introduction of Chautauqua to the whole country by the President’s visit was emphatic, and gave to the place a distinctively patriotic air. The agent of the Associated Press and a number of staff correspondents from great daily papers in the chief cities were in the President’s party. In their published dispatches and letters, these men gave picturesque accounts of Chautauqua, what it was, its personnel, the program, the place and its attractions.
“It was a season of the year when Congress was not in session; the public mind was at rest and no exciting questions monopolized the columns of the daily press, so that more than usual space was given to the accounts of the scenes enacted at Chautauqua Lake.
“In presenting him with a Bible, all the people who witnessed the ceremony and those who read the story, could see the real foundation of the Chautauqua Assembly. It was the Book on which the whole superstructure was to be erected. This gave the enterprise a broad base, which was made known to the world, as they thought of their President who was not a member of the Christian Church, giving the sanction to the Bible and to the Chautauqua Assembly.
“It was in this way,” Flood eloquently concluded his observations, “that President Grant’s visit broadened the foundation of the movement. ‘Where the President goes, we can go,’ was the sentiment that spread abroad. If he had come at a later year, it would not have been so strong an example, but coming in the early dawn of the movement, it caused the people of the country to look at the rising sun.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Centennial History of Chautauqua County: A Detailed and
Entertaining Story of One Hundred Years of Development.
Vol. II. Jamestown: The Chautauqua History Company, 1904.
The Chautauqua Herald Assembly, August 11, 1905.
Crocker, Kathleen and Jane Currie. Chautauqua Institution,
1874-
1974. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing, 2001.
Crocker, Kathleen and Jane Currie. Chautauqua Lake Region.
Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Publishing, 2002.
“General Grant’s Visit Sprung from Friendship
with Bishop Vincent”
by Marilyn Denton. The Chautauquan Daily, August 14, 1953.
“Mary A. Lathbury: Her Life and Lyrics” by Vincent
Van Marter
Beede. The Chautauquan, October 1899, pp.35-40.
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1974
by C. M. Nichols).
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Chautauquan,
Vol. XIII, No. 5, August 1891, pp. 561-593.
“Robert H. Jackson: Words From His Mighty Pen.”
Jamestown: The
Post-Journal, April 30, 2001.
Stonehouse, Helena M. One Hundred and Forty Years of Methodism
in the Jamestown, N.Y. Area. [n. p., 1954?]
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Grant’s 1875
Visit” by Robert Holder. The Chautauquan Daily, July 11 and
July 13, 1961.
Vincent, John Heyl. The Chautauqua Movement. Boston: The
Chautauqua Press, 1886.
Vincent, Leon. John Heyl Vincent: A Biographical Sketch.
New York:
The MacMillan Co., 1925.
Warren, R. M. Chautauqua Sketches: Fair Point and the
Sunday-
School Assembly. Buffalo: H. H. Otis, 1878.