Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-03-10
SOME INCIDENTS IN THE
LIFE OF AN sold GRANNY"

One of the arguments by which a certain
class OF politicians attempt to put down every
man who has passed the meridian of life, and
is ther STORE supposed by some less informed
persons TO be worthy of greater respect, is
that he is an "old granny" We propose to
relate a few incidents in the life of an "old
granny" who seems to be particularly obnoX-
lous, at this time, 10 the class of politicians re-
ierred to-
In the years I7r4, IS and &c, there was an
'old granny" named Benjamin Harrison, who
was a member of Congress, and afterwards
Governor of Virginia he was one of fiily-six
''old grannies" who signed the Declaration OF
Independence; he died, leaving but little prop
erty, for he was an ''old granny" and devoted
himself to his country with so much zeal in
those stirring times, that he did not, like the
more sensible oflice-holders of our day, ac-
quire fortune out OF public employments.
Tie died. leaving his son, named William Hen
ry Harrison, who was pursuing is studies at
Ilampden Sidney College, when the Indian
frontier wars broke out Young Harrison was
placed under the care ofan 'old granny" nam
ed Robert Morris, and was protege and ia
yorite OF another ''old granny named George
Washington, both of whom, like the father of
Harrison, had spent their lives in the active
service OF their country Being the son of an
odd granny and having been brought up under
the tutelage of the two 'old grannies," above
named, It cannot be thought surprising that
young Harrison grew up to be an "old gran
n.y." himself
la 1892, Harrison Joined the army, under
Gen. Wayne, and he being also an "old gran
NY" appointed him one OF his aids -de-cdmD.-
In 1897, he resigned his commission, and was
appointed Secretary Of the North West Terri
tory. The year after he was elected delegate
TO Congress.
Here he did a thing which alone would es-
tablsh his inieroriiy 10 the present enlghten-
ed race Of office holders The public lands
were then divided into sections of 1000 acres,
and were never sold in less quantity than a
whole section. Consequently, man who
wished to buy farm for actual settlement was
obliged 10 buy 1000 acres at the government
price, or 10 purchase a smaller quantity OF
some Spectator, whose means would allow
him 10 hold a whole section the price, OF
course, in such cases. was far beyond that OF
the government, lands. Being nothing but an
"od granny Harrison never for moment
considered how much superior the Interests OF
q few spectators were 10 those Of the people
a large he obtained the passage Of an act al
lowing sales OF as small quantity as 800 acres,
which brought il within the reach Of almost
every man
The following year this "old granny" was
appointed Governor Of the Territory Of Ind.
ana. which is now divided into several large
states. lie was re-appolnied repeatedly. al
the request Of the inhabitants and held the Of
fee for fourteen years During this time. he
was Superintendent Of Indian Affairs within
/ has jurisdiction aud sole Commissioner foi
treating with the Indians. During this time
this "old granny" negotiated thirteen treaties
with the Indian tribes, for which services, be.
E ing an "old granny he made the goyernmeni
DO charge. Tie battle Of Tippecanoe, and