The New York herald., 1871-03-19
GENERAL MaRRI Ol'5 ITGM3 GONG TO
DECAY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD: :

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your paper of yesterday morning 1nd a few
lines regarding the tomb OF General W. II. Harrison
at North Bend Ohio, and us decay. Last year, in
the course OF an extended journey West was in
Cincinnati, and one bright September morning
went down the river bank some twenty mics by the
Cincinnati and indianapolis Railroad, which runs
alongside the Ono and Mississippi road until we
reach North Bend. where they dlverge, meeting
again, and again separating a few miles further on
at Lawrcnceburg, Ind. North Bend is way sta
tlon with only Two or three small houses and coal
elevator ana wa er tank where the roads branch off,
ana the Harrison estate lies immediately along
the river, reaching up to q low range OF hills
on the north and just west OF the station,
upon rising ground. shaded by few oak trees
rest the remains OF General Harrison, the hero
OF Tlppecanoc, AMI once President OF the
United states, In waiton neglect and decay.
Oh reaching North Bend found middle aged man,
who lives IN an od house near by with his family,
VINO formerly lived IN the family of General Harri.
son, and from him | learned many facts and incl
dents OF the old nero's life; and he being the only
one who appeared to know or care much about the
place, and holding the Keys, at my request ne went
with me 70 visit the tomb. Sealing few ola FENCES
we came INTO field ana near Its centre, Oil rising
ground overlooking the Ohio we reached the vault,
and after unlocking an Old paddock and lifting
trap door with one broken hinge, we descended
few steps into space alb Jut ten feet square built OF
brick, mostly underground, and now crumbling in
ruln ana Jus on the east side were eight chambers
four IN row. and IN the upper row, IN three OF
tncm are the remains Of General Harrison ms wife
and daughter, aud the mouths OF the chambers are
closed with brckwork, ana there IL no inscription (
any kind anywhere To be found, ana the archwork
overhead In the vault looks Just ready To fall
and would have fallen before this only my friend
secured IT, FOR the time by running through two
rods and fastening the ends outside the walls, to
Mold it together IA well as he could. Tile walls
upon the outside are, II possible, IN worse state
than within, aud, unless something Is done soon,
must fall in every thing Is In state OF dllapida
tiou and decay everywhere around North Bend. The
oil house where the General lived, built In sections
ana part or IL leg cabir was burned u few years
ago ana nothing remains but the RUNS; and Gene
raj uarrison's Office low building some twenty
feet square, butt OF brick, only remains and that,
like everything around, Is ready To tall. Down Tie
ONO a few miles liycS a son OF Geucfal harrison. ]
nrn informed the estate was sold at auction, and the
descendants are not able to raise monument or
uu,ld tomb to guard the dust OF the great de-
parted. Republics are ungiateui or unnlulu-
ful OF their great men after thcy are gone,
or the United States government would not allow
Them to sleep in sueh wreck ami rum, and now
either the United States or the state oil ONO should
erect at least Il decent tomb and save the country
the scandal or negecung the remains OF 4 President
who while vng, raised the country To such Juror
OF political excitement In the great campaign OF
1s4Q. Now as the HERALD Is always open 10 uphold
the right ana vc,ltilae great public wrong, look
to You with confidence 10 call the attention OF the
country the condition OF the remains OF ner great
men, and especially those OF General Harrison, that
have fallen under my notice; ana II you VIII give
this The advantage Of your great circulation am
sure YOU VIII render great pubic service. ana that
something Will DC done TO guard the remains oi the
departed shades worthy or great nation.
| d. q. WALKER, 10 Hudson street. New tors.