The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-16

[Chicago Times Greepsburs letter.
Greensburg is beautiful little city OF
four thousand inhabitants, located In South
eastern Indiana. It is the county-seat OF
Decatur county, and both city aud county
were settled mostly by persons hailng
from PENNSYLVANIA and the Bluegrass
regions Of Kentucky. The name Green's
burg was given when the site was located
by Mrs. Thomas Hendricks, aunt OF Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks, late candidate for
Vice President, in memory OF her native
place, Greensburg, Pennsylvania. There
were several competitors for the honor Of
giving the name, but the matter was
decided by vote. As Mrs. Hendricks had
several comely grown daughters, and as
such were scarce in the new settlement,
her wishes carried the day.
Time passed, and the county, having
passed through its stage OF log and brick
courthouse, must needs have one to corre-
spond with the intelligent and wealthy
population to which it had attained. so the
commissioners went to work, and in 1867
completed temple of justice which was at
that time the finest and most costly in the
State. 1t occupies the "pubiic square "
in the centre OF the city, and is surrounded
by a grove OF beautiful forest trees, inclosed
with an iron fence. The principal front of
the building is east, and from that point
there springs tower which reaches
height of 140 feet. One hundred and five
feet from the ground is the watershed of
the tower, and above that 1t is covered
with dressed stone, made to tit closely in slabs
3 by 5 feet, inclning at an angle OF about
so degrees from upright.
| In the summer OF 1870 citizen OF the
place was examining the tower with glass
| H. of>e inC
crevice about the watershed on the east
side of the tower, 10 feet from the ground,
little twig. But little was thought OF it.
and it was scarcely discernible with the
naked eye. The next spring some interest
was exhibited to know if the miniature tree
in its strange and exposed position had
survived the wintry blasts. 1t had sur
yiyed. and when sun and spring showers
came on, put out its leaves plentifully and
grew luNuriantly all the season. BY this
time it was easily seen with the eye, but rs
it could not be approached in any ordinary
manner nearer than from the roofs of build
ings on the opposite side OF the street, its
species could not be ascertalned. The
third spring it put forth again with renew
ed life, yigor, and size. Instead OF dWln-
ding and dropping from the effects OF the
winters cold or the summers heat and
| low seemed to cause it to flourish eNtraordi-
narily. This season it was decided to be a
silver maple, sprung, no doubt, from seed
carried by bird or whirlwind, and lodged
| In that exalted place. By this time the tree
had become famous. Accounts OF it had
appeared in the papers but the story was
not generally believed. But, nevertheless,
the tree lived and grew. 1t was there, and
no mistake And so it has continued un-
| til this day. 1t is now more than twelve
feet high, and is thought to be three inches
in diameter. The top is quite bushy, and,
| in the summer season, the leaves are numer-
ous and luXuriant. 1t can be seen for
many miles around, and the stranger ap-
preaching first sees the tower, and then
| this strange phenomenon beckonlng him
over. Passengers passing on the train,
who have heard of the wonderful tree, ask
frequently concerHing 1t, and trains have
even been stopped by accommodating con.
ductors until the skeptical could be con-
yinced. The rapid growth OF the tree is
forcing the stones apart. This can readily
be seen with glass. Ere long the ambl-
tious maplc will have to be brought lower,
or damage to the building follow. The
sheriff has already had several applications
from expert climbers to take If down, but
the people will not permit their tree to be
removed yet. An artist representing New
York illustrated paper called to sketch the
curiosity, but the leaves were of, and he
postponed il until a more favorable time.
Persons approaching the place from Gin
cinnati get good view OF it by looking
| from the north windows as they draw near
Greensburg. OF course it appears to much
greater advantage when in full leaf, and at
such time it is indeeda strange curiosity.