The Indianapolis journal., 1884-11-24
"REMINISCENCES OF 1870.
The Great Log-Cabin Convention on the
TippecanOe Battle-Ground.

MT benneNlle Snartle' residing at No. AS
Franklin street, who has always voted the Wing
and Republican tickets, relates some interesting
"reminiscences of the Campaign of 1870. He was
then residing in Richmond, Ind, the largest
town IN the State, having population Of about
5000, and situated in the southeastern section
near the Ohio line. Being an excellent per
former on several reed and brass instruments, he
assisted in organizing the Richmond brass band
IN which organization he played the clarinet
In the month of September, IS40 there was a
great Harrison convention on the Tippecanoe
battle ground, eight miles from Lafayette, Ind.
and about two hundred miles from Richmond
The county delegation hired the band for the
purpose of attending the convention, and
there being no railroads. they started for the
battlefield on horseback and in wagons. The
delegation numbered over two hundred Wings
nifty OF whom were mounted on white horses.
The band wagon was drawn by four horses, and
there was another four horse wagon containing
the pioneers, baggage and tents. Wherever the
delegation stopped for the night they camped
out The route lay through swamps and over
corduroy roads, made with logs and rails FIRE.
quently the horses stuck fast, and the wheels be-
came lodged between the saphngs, so that the
pioneers had to cut through the timbers to get
the wagons out At places where it was too
muddy to pull through the persons in the wag
ons had to get out and walk. The road was
mostly through timber land although an oc-
casional prairie was struck, and twenty eight
miles east of Indianapolis extensive prairie
was crossed.
Democratic pole with red petticoat flying to.
the breeze from its topmost point. intended as "a
slur on Harrison. Several men stood guard around
1t with rifles. The delegation decided that the
pole must come down, and the pioneers soon
leveled it with their axes. The pole was then
cut into fragments. indianapolis was at that time
as now the State capital 1t was little town,
no larger than West Leesport. A new capital
building had been erected, but it was misera-
BILE affair compared to the grand edifee which
now greets the visitors sight The delegation
tented out on the edge of the town. but the band
was entertained at the Browning House, the
that ever visited the place, and the
band gave concert in celebration of the event
The leader, Mr. Ball. an accomplished musician
from New York, and Mr.. Shartle were the solo
lists. The band gave another concert upon the
return trip, and the members thus earned con
siderable spending money. The concerts took
place in the large hall in the hotel, which was a
two-stoIy structure, and considered big hotel
in those days
Before the delegation arrived at LAFAYETTE
their provisions gave out a quantity of cured
venison was then purchased at a hunters cabin
in the woods, Twenty five cents was the charge
for ham. The meet was Clipped and fried in
butter. and found to be delicious. When Lafay-
cite was reached the number in line was swelled
TO o 900, delegations having been picked up on
the way. The Richmond band had to
make the music for the entire party, as
bands were scarce in those days and yery
afford the luxury. Lafayette was about the size
OF indianapolis. Eight miles beyond was the
Tippecanoe battle-ground and there about 70 900
Wings were found encamped Hundreds of
tents covered the field, and there were many log
cabins, some as high as houses. Speakers were
heard in every direction, addressing the multi
tude from the tops of the cabins. In addition to
the log cabin, as the rallying sign of the cam
paign, there were raccoons poles by the hun
dred, and a great many Wings wore coon tails in
their hats. The convention was in session one
week, but the Richmond delegation only re-
mained four days. General Harrison was not in
attendance, having been prevented from being
present by the death of his son, who was killed
by a tree falling on him in the woods.
Soon after Gen. Harrison had been elected
President, the Richmond brass band serenaded
him at his home, and Mr. Shartle had the
pleasure of enjoying his hospitality. He lived
along the the Ohio river, betweeen Lawrencburg
and Cincinnati, about fifteen miles from the
latter place, and was engaged in the manufae-
ture of brick. The band went up the river
from Lawrenceburg on a boat and stopped at
Lawreneeburg over night, both gong and re
turning. The General lived in a large white
frame house, about 40 feet square, which stood
back from the river some $50 yards and was
surrounded with trees This building had
been erected alongside of the original log
cabin, the latter being 10 feet square and used
as an office. Outside of tue cabin was an old
fashioned wooden latch with a string to it.
Forty prominent citizens accompanied the
band, and the visit was a genuine
surprise, as the General was not aware of their
coming. AS the band played outside, General
Harrison made his appearance at the door at
tired in gray Kentucky jean suit with an old
straw haiti was in the month of November
shading his noble brow. He met the delegation
half way between the house and the river and
sh0ok hands with every member of the party
The band then played Hail Columbia after
which all were invited into the house. Cakes
and wine were dispensed literally, but there was
an absence of the hard cider" which had fig
ured frequently in the campaign. A ten-year-
old son of the leader, Mr.. Bell, who was an ex-
pert drummer, played several tunes and was
rewarded by the General with a number of pic
lures. The furniture in the house was plain
common wooden chairs and settees without
cushions being arranged around the rooms
General Harrison made q long speech
occupying about an hour, and related remin-
iscences of battles in which he had been engaged
In the party were congressman and
several politicians, who also made short speeches.
and during the four hours spent there, all had a
jolly time. The visitors arrived early in the
morning, and, at IL A. NJ, left on the returning
boat for Lawrenceburg. General Harrison is
described by Mr. Shartle as a large, raw boned
man, tall and lean, with good head of gray
bal1 tie was then sixty seven years of age. Mr.
Shartle had met him four years before in Womels-
dorf this county, and had the pleasure of shaking
his hand The General was then on his way in
the presidential campaign of 1886, from Reading
TO Harrisburg by stage. Mr.. Shartle. who is a
native of Shartlesville, this county went West
irthe fall of 1897, at the age of nineteen years,
and resided for several years at Richmond Ind
He started out from Pottsville with Samuel
Sands, brother of Colonel William A. Sands
of this city, but they parted at Cincinnati, Sands
striking out at that point for New Orleans. The
only railroad at that time in America was the one
from Philadelphia to Harrisburg
ha Trua Tafh nf U