The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-12-18
INDIANAPOLIS IND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1880

Robert, of evenings what they had learned
during the day, and thus was laid the basis
of his education. Soon afterwards, the
Hon. James Harlan was elected to Congress
and Robert who had made considerabl,
money, by gunnig and selling cOonskins
went to Louisville, and learning the bar
ber's trade returned to Harrodsburg ant
opened barber shop. From here he wen
on a visit to Lexington and met there on'
of Kentucky's beauties and made her hi
wife. He then sold out his shop and moved
to Lexington and started grocery. 1t wa.
about this time that the "Black Indians,
similar to tho Klu Klux of later day, began
to intimidate and maltreat those colored
men, whom they termed SASSY Iiggers,
because of their success in business, farming
or in getting an education. Mr.. Harlan
deemed discretion better than valor and
left Lexington, and went to Louisville
where he commenced buying and trading in
Kentucky's blooded race horse stock
The Rev. John Tibbs was tarred and
feathered and driven from the State at the
same time. Several years afterwards he
went on a visit to the Hon. James Harlan s
family, at Harrodsbug, and by his wife was
shown letter from his mother, which she
had found among some old bundles of papers
of her husband. This letter had been writ
ten fourteen years before from Point Con-
fee, La, and Mr.. Harlan at once deter
mined TO 90 in search Of his mother.
Reaching Point Confee, he learned that his
mother had been sold back on the 'Attaka-
pas. Going thence, he found his mother
and disclosing himself, there follOwed a
most affecting scene, the meeting of moth
er and son, separated for sixteen years.
Being desrous of taking her back with him,
he purchased her, but found she was mar
ried to the foreman of the plantation and
preferred to stay with her husband So
Mr. Harlan was compelled to return
North alone, and soon afterwards learned of
her death. In l848 Colonel Harlan was
seized by the California gold fever and
went West, where he was very successful in
amassing fortune Of $4,000 in gold. He
then came to Cincinnati, and the fond hopes
of his life were at last realized by reaching
the Paris of A nerica. Even in his boyhood
Cincinnati had been promised land to him,
and when in trouble always threatened to
run off to Cincinnati, and now after many
years he came with fortune, ample enough
for his future comfort. Up to this time he
was still owned by the Hon. James Harlan,
and being more than able to purchase him
self, he went to see his owner, and saying:
Some folks think / am free, but you may
die and | may have trouble; SO come, go
with me to the Court House and make out
my papers. Here is five hundred dollars
The Colonel was wealthier man than his
owner, and being now free man, he re
turned to Cincinnati and became one of its
citizens. Comfortably settled in Cincinnati,
he at once interested himself in his race, and
became a trustee of the c1lored schools, and
was the one who negotiated with Nicholas
Longworth. Esq, for the building ofthe East
ern District School. The Colonel also has the
honor of being the first American who car
ried race-horses from America to England
and entered them against Englands best
He lived in London for quito number oi
wears, and came back again to this city
He has been prominent i'll State and Ma
tional politics, and has held various response.
BILE positions under the government. Last
year when President-elect Garfield was
serenaded in Washington, because of his
election to the Senate, Col. Harlan was Mar
shall of ceremonies, and in his congratula.
tory remarks, hailed Garfield thus: "And
we shall elect you our next President
Hence he has the honor of having foreseer
the result of the recent elections. In ancient
DAYS it was indeed fortunate day for the
man who first hailed the king as king
and perhaps history may repeat itself, ano
Col. Harlan come in for an honorable anC
profitable position under the next admin
istration. The Colonel is now living quietly
at home and, though sixty four years old, il
in wonderful health, and is as nimble al
many younger men, and in social gather
ing is as young as the youngest.
VIM. III. Parham, ESQ.,, e. W. Bell, ESQ.
A. S. Thomas. Esq, and all those presen
made happy speeches, lau ling the host an(
wishing him health and prosperity for tn
rest of his life. A toast to the "press" wa
proposed by VIM. 81. Parham, Esq ;. anC
loud calls for Hack were made Hack re
spondeG. in an awful modest way, requ estin,
all present to subscribe for the Leader. an,
promising to give full account of the re
ception in the Leader Col. Harlan and hi
wife were ably assisted in rendering thei
guests happy, by Messrs. John Wormle
and Sam She Lon.
SHOE STRING DISTRICT.
We were recently in receipt of the follow
ing interesting letter from the Hon. Joh
r. Lynch, Congressman-elect, over Cha
mer, in the Shoe-string District, of Missis
sippi:
NATCHEz, November so, 1880.
DEAR FRIEND The report that / hav
been elected to Congress over Chalmers
true In spite of fraud and violence at tn
the polls, my majority, as returned by th
precinct Inspector. is about seven hundred
After the Bourbons saw that they had failec
to count me out, they then threw out enoug
votes, that had beee polled forme, to ovel
come my majority. The certificate hs
been given to Chalmers, solely on accouu
of the unlawful action of the election Com
missioners in several counties. in THROWN
out votes, that they themselves admit to hav
been fairly and honestly polled for me. / hav
already served notice of contast ON the Ger
eral (Chalmers) and am determine d to max
a thorough and complete exposition of tn
whole villainous transaction
Accept sincere thanks for the congratuls
tions of your father and yourself, and bc
lieve me to be very truly your friend.
JOHN r. LYNCH.
To Herbert A. Clark, Esq.
Several years ago we spent few days i
Natchez, and there had the pleasure of mee
ing the Hon. John r. Lynch, whom W
found to be cultured gentleman Of fin
abilities, very determined in his characte
and careful student In soci,
sense, he is very easy of ao
cess, conversationalist on all topic
and one who wears honors with dignity an
reserve, yet not in that awfully MOTTO be
described way that many of our colore
great men affect. Mr.. Lynch has long bee
identified with the interests of his race i
Mississippi and elsewhere, ard tho loyal
elected to Congress few years ago, wa
denied admittance by the Democratic n,
iority In Congress. instead of haooro;n