In my years of research, I’ve only ever heard of two Presidents coming to Greene County, William Howard Taft who visited the Downey family several years after leaving the White House, and prior to him, Ulysses S. Grant who actually made his unintended call on Waynesburg while in office.

Grant’s unplanned visit was recalled in 1926 by Daniel Spindler Walton, present at the time, whose article on the matter was published by the Waynesburg Republican on 21 May 1952. Since I can’t possibly tell it any better than he did, here is Daniel’s account:

"Fifty years ago, October 2, 1876, General U. S. Grant, then President of the United States, came into Waynesburg unannounced, accompanied only by his cousin, William Smith, a prominent banker and merchant of Washington, Pa., where he had been visiting for some days, as was his annual custom.

On their arrival in Waynesburg, they registered at the Walton House, then being kept by W. A. Bane. After relieving himself from dust that accumulated on his journey, in an open slat wagon, and writing his name 'U. S. Grant, United States,' on the hotel register the President, unaccompanied sallied forth from the hotel to look over the town. He walked down the north side of Main street, crossed over and up on the south side of the street returning to the hotel.

In a very few minutes it began to be whispered about the town that President Grant was here, but the report was discredited, many of our older people saying that the President would not come here in such an unceremonious way. On going to the hotel, however, they were soon convinced of the truth of the report.

Very soon a cab was secured and Colonel Buchanan and President Grant were placed in it and taken to the court house, where on ringing of the bell the court room was soon crowded with people. Colonel Buchanan delivered one of his eloquent and characteristic speeches introducing the President, who was called upon vociferously for a speech, but declined to speak. He very cordially clasped the hand of every one who gave him the opportunity.

After the reception in the court house, he returned to the hotel and there he found his old comrades gathered in numbers. They were not satisfied with a formal handshake, many of them embracing him over and over again. It was an affecting scene, and one that the President seemed to enjoy as much as any of them.

President Grant had a fine sense of humor. After relating many instances of danger they had encountered on field of battle and the privations and hardships of some long marches and the funny incidents of camp life, all too soon the old gong was sounded. Some of the old soldier boys, overcome with joy forgot the dignity and formalities due to their beloved commander who was now President of the United States, and should be treated as such, seemed determined to carry him into the dining room, an honor he evidently appreciated but with a quiet dignified smile declined saying that he never was a very good runner as some of them knew, but as yet he had not lost his ability to walk and proceeded to do so.

His comrades clustered around him, they said to him, lest they not have the opportunity again: 'Tell us, if this country should become involved in war again that you will lead us, and take command. Won't you?' To which lie replied: 'Never, never again.'

'Why not? Who would do it?' they asked. 'If I should be permitted. I would suggest Adam Ecker of Washington, Pennsylvania, the editor and publisher of the Washington Democrat, which through the kindness of my cousin, William Smith, was sent to me every week and I found great pleasure and amusement in reading it. Why there never was a battle fought that he did not think he knew more about than any general in the field.'

With this he deposited his hat on the rack and entered the dining room. It was really amusing to see the men trying on that hat and to see how gently and carefully they handled it, because of the love and respect they evidently had for its owner.

In a very few minutes the streets round about the hotel, and even the beautiful lawn of Judge Inghram, nearby, in fact every available space, was literally packed with people, who awaited the appearance of their President, desiring to hear and see him if possible.

After a time the slat wagon appeared and with some difficulty, found its way in front of the east-side entrance to the hotel. Soon the President reappeared with hat in hand and in that dignified way stepped up into the wagon, amid the shouts and cheers and plaudits of the assembled throng, who clamored loud and long for a speech. After looking over the assembled throng he said:

'Good people of Waynesburg. I am not going to make a speech, I never did make a speech, I can't make one - but I do want to say to you that my coming here today was just as much of a surprise to me as seems to have been to you, and my wish is that you have had as much pleasure as I have. As has been our custom, Mr. Smith and I started out this morning for a drive, the enchanting beauty of your hills and valleys caused us to forget the time and we soon found that we were nearer Waynesburg than Washington, and that gave me the opportunity of seeing your beautiful little city, look into your honest and intelligent faces, which otherwise I might never have had. It has been a delight and great pleasure to me, and I trust no great inconvenience to yourselves. I leave you now your servant, when I return again, as I hope I shall, I will be like one of you, a Sovereign.'"