The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-30
BEEcHERs IN CINCINNATI.
Interesting "Reminiscences Suggested by tn
Death Of Prof C. T.. Stowe.

Interesting "Reminiscences Suggested by the
Death Of Prof c. T.. Stowe.
Cincinnati SUM-
''The Beechers and the late Calvin E. Stowe
were the leaders of a coterie of very pronounced
Abolitionsts on Walnut Hills in 1840" said Dr.
Keinper last night. I'm fact the line between
the pro slavery people and the Abolitionists was
more sharply drawn between those two Presby
terrain churches than anywhere else at that
time"
What manner of man was Calvin E. Stowew
He was short, thick-set mild man of prac-
tical turn. and intensely devoted to his books.
He was known as one of the most broadly cult
ured men in the West, especially in Greek and
Hebrew. Professor Stowe did pot, however, cut
much Of figure in the seminary administration.
but. for all that, was we'll liked and profoundly
respected for his learning
'For his wife not great deal could be said at
that time. Catherine Beecher, the spinster
daughter, was the bright one of that family, and
Harriet Stowe was ranked rather below all the
others in intellectually. Catherine had an odd
sort of dog cart or chariot in which she used to
take Mrs. Stowe riding. II was queer craft.
even for those days-rather the talk of the town,
and an excellent exponent of the Beecher char
acter."
"Was there any romance connected with the
Stowe Beecher courtshlpp
"None that ever heard of. Both were quiet
rather phlegmatic and not at all the sort of peo
pie TO do queer things In a love affair. But they
were sincerely and unaffectedly devoted to each
other-each, it is said, being proud of the bonds
which united them. Stowe was proud as the
husband of Harriet Beecher-she as the wife of
Professor Stowe, the learned lnguist and the
ologian.n
What was Mrs Stoves strongest pointq'
Decidedly her Abolitionism She was the
strongest in the family, which is saying great
deal. Her husband was equally positive in this
direction, though less inclined to assert his views
without provocation. Both Stowe and his wife
were practical people, quite domestic, and lived
very quietly in the seminary grounds. Their
house was the principal station of the under
ground railway in this city. and they were con-
stantly involved in some scheme to aid escaping
slaves. | remember a witty remark made
by Mrs. Stowe In connection with the we'll
known enmity of the two churches-First and
Second-on the slavery question 1t so hap
pened that one Sunday there was no minister
for the Second (Abolition church, and the con-
gregation went en- masse to the First or pro-
slavery. church. The pulpit there was vacant
also, by curious chance, and although the Rev.
Lyman Beecher, president Of the seminary, was
present. the pros slavery elder. who happened to
be left in charge, could not ask him to preach
because the First church congregation had regis
tered a VOW that the Arch Abolitonist' as they
called him. should never preach in their pulpit
But they turned the service into a pray meet
ing, and, of course, couldn't well omit to invite
Rev. Lyman to lead in the first invocation. He
got upon his feet promptly and proceeded to ad-
address the throne of grace for an hour and
evolve very presentable sermon. After church
Harriet approached my father, who represented
the other wing OF the church, and wittily OBJ
served that the Beeehers manage to preach
sermon as well as to run off niger occasion
ally
sAnother church story about the Beechers be-
came public property about the same time Old
Rev. Lyman B. was in the habit of taking his
Monday morning holiday, and one Monday he
went fishing He came home saying he hadn't
got anything worth stringing. Next Sunday his
congregation was kept awake by an awful and
mysterious stencil, the source of which nobody
could determine. Finally Harriet left the fam
lily pew, glided up to the chancel rail, and car
ried her fathers light overcoat and the noisome
odor from the church. The old gentleman had
pocketed his fish and forgotten to remove them |"
where did Mrs Stowe get her IDEAS of the
peculiar institution
From the fugitive darkies whom she be-
friended almost daily, and perhaps partially
from a short residence with her husband in Ken
lucky, where he held pastorate for short
time. But nobody believed she possessed such
literary talent was demonstrated in 'Uncle
Toms Cabin" until the book had actually begun
to create Juror elsewhere