The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-03-02

ed q settlement on the present site of
the city. His first habitation was on
the lower bank the river about one
hundred and fifty or two hundred
feet below where now repose his
remains. One day number of Indians
supposed to belong to the Shawnee
tribe stopped at his shanty and de-
manded LIm-meaningW West India rum,
for strychnine whisky at that early day
was not manufactured in the province,
this being the offspring OF more clvi-
liZed (?) period of much later date.
Being already intoxicated Harris refus.
ed to grant their demands. This exas-
perated them to the highest pitch, and
selling him they dragged him to
mulberry tree to which they bound
him and piled around him dry light
wood preparatory to burning him. They
then formed q ring around their victim
and with Yells and whoops circled
aronud him; the flaming torch to ignite
his funeral pyre was advanced when
band OF friendly Indians supposed to
belong to the Paxton tribe who had
crossed from the opposite side of the
scene and set him at liberty, thus
rescujng him from most horrible
death. They were lead by negro man
named "Hercules," a slave belonging
to Mr.. Harris, who at the first alarm
had fed for succor and now brought it
was we'll timed as moments delay
would have proved fatal. Hercules
was promptly emancipated by his
master, ard some of his descendants as
1 was informed, are still living in Har-
risburg. The stump above referred to
as having attracted my attention was
what remained of the old mulberry
tree to which John Harris had been
tied by the Indians to be burned.
Decayed and weather beaten the trunk
still remains, measuring about ten feet
in height above the level of the ground
and eleven feet six inches in circumfe-
renee. At the foot of the trunk IS the
grave of Harris without other monu-
ment to mark his resting place than
this old memorial.
After brushing OFF the dust of travel
l sauntered towards the Capitol to pay
my respects to Gov. Geary, with whom
l had some business. Making my way
to the Executive Chamber l found
him earnestly engaged. Having pre-
viously sent in my card, as soon as the
other visitors were dismissed, L was re.
ceived by him with wRrm-hearted
welcome, and spent an hour with him
In very pleasant and agreeable man
ner, when upon my Withdrawing ne
expressed the qualification he felt at
meeting citizen of West Virginia. He
is over six feet six inches in height,
muscular, compact and well formed,
with a piercing, searching eye, and
loyal to the back bone. He is eloquent
in word and action and laboriOus and
faithful In the discharge of his duties.
l presume he is one of the most indie. |
fatigable and hard working Office hold
ers in the country. Early and late he
is to be found at the Executive Chamber
intent upon the discharge of his duties.
1t Is matter OF establishment how he
can stand the continuous strain upon
his mental and physical nature. Others
may grow weary and fatigued but he
seems ut all times to be fresh, with his
equable temper entirely undisturbed by
the distractions which may surround
him. He is candidate for reelection,
and although he is opposed by the
Cameron clique, the people of Pennsyl-
Vania who idolize and love him, will
bear him again into the Office W it'll such
a ground swell of unanimity as to make
his opponents quake.
The main building of the Capitol is
one hundred and eighty feet by eighty
feet deep, and is two stories high. The
lower story contains the vestibule and
staircase, the chambers of the Senate
and House of Representatives, and sew
erRl small apartments for the accom-
mediation of the members and officers
of the Legislature. The upper story
contains rooms for the State Library,
Canal Commissioners, Supreme Court,
School Department and committees.
The building fronts the river to the
west and occupies a beautiful eminenCe
on the northern border of the city.
The pile consists of the main build |
ing or State House and two wings for
the public offices, which were original
lY designed to be- connected together by |
low ornamental walls, with gateways. |
The main building sets back OF the |
wings. so far that the inner columns OF
the portico of the parts are in range, |
thus affording an uninterrupted view
OF them all. The ground is slOping In
front, and the main entrance Is from
State street, which is one hundred and
twenty feet in width, through orna-
mental massive iron gateways and
flight OF sandstone steps with substan-
tial iron bannisters. There are other
entrances by similar gateways from |
other streets. |
In the Capital grounds has been
erected and Just finished, an elegant
marble monument, consisting OF q |
beautiful Corinthian column some |
thirty or forty feet in height, resting on |
pedestal some twenty-five feet in |
height above the ground, which has
been raised to an emlnence OF some |
eight or ten feet. 1t was erected in |
memory of the deceased soldiers who |
fell in Mexico, as the following insCrip |
ton upon it commentaries:
"Erected by the State of Pennsylvania. A.
d. 1858, commemorative OF her citizens who |
lost their lives during the War with Mexico,
in 1876 Al and AS"
This monument was erected at q cost
of about eight thousand dollars.
But it is time L should bring this |
epistle to a close with a recommended
ton to those whom pleasure or bust.
ness may call to Harrisburg, to put up
at the "Lochiel. House," where every at |
tention will be extended and where will
be found in the Office, clerks who do
not deem it a condensation to be affable
and polite to strangers, but privilege
and duty which their native courtesy
prompts them on all occasions to recoG- |
niZe. The table is abundant and we'll
supplied, and the servants prompt and
obliging. SPECK.
Harrisburg, Feb. 23d, 1869.