The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-23
:KA. KANSAS. January II, 1879.
AN INDIANA WONDER.

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House Spirc and Flourishes.
Cireen.bury Letter to the Chi ago Time.
Greensburg is beautiful little city OF
four thousand inhabitants, located in
Southeastern Indiana. II is the county
seat of Decatur county, and both city and
county, were settled mostly by persons
mailing from Pennsylvania and the Blue
grass regions of Kentucky. The name,
Greensburg, was given when the site was
located by Mrs. Thomas Hendricks, aunt
of Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, late
canoIdate for Vice President, in memory
of her native place, Greensburg. Pa.
There were several competitors for the
honor of giving the name, but the matter
was decided by a vote. As Mrs. Hen
bricks had several comedy grown daugh-
tiers. 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 cor
respond with the intelligent and wealthy
population to which it had attained. so
the commissioners went to work. and in
1892 completed temple of justice (which
was at that time the finest and most costly
in the State. II occupies the public
square in the center 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 40 feet. One
hundred and FIVE feet from the ground is
the water sheet of the tower, and above
that it is covered with dress stone, made
TO fit closely, in slabs two'by five feet. in
Ginning an angle of about 30 degrees from
upright.
In the summer of 1870 citizen Of the
place was examining the tower with
glass when he observed. springing from
the third crevice abont the watershed on
the east side OF the tower, 10 feet from
the ground, little twig. But little was
thought Of it. and IL was scarcely discern
able 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.
Ii had survived. and when sun and spring
showers cameon. put out its leaves plenti-
fully and grew luxuriantly all the season.
BY this time IL was easily seen with the
eve. but as II could not be approached in
any ordinary manner nearer than from
the roofs OF buildings on the opposite side
the street. it's species could not b. ascer-
tanned. The third spring it pnt forth
again with renewed life. vigor and size
Instead of dwindling and dropping from
the effects of the winter cold or the sum
mers heat and drouth. the atmosphere Of
Justice from below seemed TO cause il 10
flourish extraordinarily. This season
it was decided TO he silver
maple. sprung. no doubt from a
seed carried by bird or whiri-
wind. and lodged in that exalted place.
By this time the tree had become famous.
Accounts oft had appeared IN the paper:
but the story was not gepertlly bel "r- !.
But. nevertheless. the tree lived ai.d cf.T.
II was there. and no mistake. And 20
it has continued until this day. IL Il
now more than twelve feet high, and ia
thought 10 h. three inches in diameter.
The top Is quite bushy, and. In the summer
season. the leaves are numerous and !uIu-
RANT II can be seen for many miles around
and the stranger approaching first sees the
tower. and this strange phenomenon beck
oning him over Passengers passing on
the trains. who have heard Of the wonder
full tree. ask frequently concerning If, and
trains have even been stopped by accom-
modatIng conductors until the sksptieal
could BE- convinced. The rapid growth Of
the tree is f,rcing the stones apart. This
can easily te seen with glass Ere long
the ambitious maple will have TO le
brought lower. or damage 10 the building
follow. The Sheriff has already had sew
eral applications from expert climbers To
take II down. but the people Will not per
nit their tree 20 be removed yet. An art
1T representing New York illustrated
paper called TO sketch the euriosity. but the
leaves were of. and he postponed If until
a more favorable time. Persons approacn-
ing the place from Cincinnati e; a good
view Of II b. looking from the north Win
iOxs az they draw near Greensburg. OIL
course If appears 20 much greater sdvan-
tage when IN full leaf and at such tune
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