The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-26
OLD 7IPPECANOE.
His Trip Up the Ohio to Pitts
burgh At Years Ago.
THESTOP-OyER ATWHEELING.

.
Interesting Interview With an Old
steamboatman Who Was on the
Tow-Hc Didn't Take Notes
but He Remembers the Trip.
PIrrsBURGH, Nov. 25.-There has been
so much talk of "Tippecanoe" since the
opening of the last political campaign
that many who had read history and
knew better couldn't help associating
the name of good old grandfather Viii
liam Henry Harrison with some sort oI
canoe as well us with the ship Of State
That he came up the Ohio river to Pitts
burgh oil board boat is known, and
there are those living here who remem
Der the occasion Of his coming when en-
route to Washington. But is wasn't a
canoe, much less "tippy canoe" II
wns the old Pike, assisted by the famous
steamboat Fulton, and Of the crew that
brought the latter up with the first
famous General Harrison the only one
now living is a resident OF one OF Pitts
burgh's suburbs. He is Anthony Boyer,
and resides on his own farm, less than a
mile from Sharpsburg, i'll the township
OF o 'Hara.
Old Watchman Boyer, OF the steam
boat Fulton, was visited at his home a
day or two ago by Dispatch reporter,
and induced to tell OF that famous trip
when the ninth President OF the United
States came up to Pittsburgh. MIR.
Boyer, though in the neighbOrhood OF
70 years old, is hale and hearty and en-
Joys n good bottle OF beer from his own
welI.stOcked cellar, all the more because
he never enjoyed it or any other liquor
to excess. lie greeted the reporter cor
daily, ignited one OF pair OF tobies
that made smoke for the pair, and pro-
ceeded about as follows to tell OF the
great old voyage:
II might know more about General
William Henry Harrison's trip OH that
renowned old boat Of ours; but, you see,
| didn't take notes to be interviewed
about the trip fOrty-seven years alter
ward, as now am. 1t was in the year
81, and was engaged as watchmnu on
the steamer Fulton, OF which William
Forsyth was captain; Ben Clark, mate
Jacob Kleinielder, pilot; William Mil
Ter, second pilot; John Obey, engineer,
and William Pollock, his assistant.
"About the time that Harrison was to
come to Pittsburgh the river was very
low, and the captain and crew
on BOARD THE FULTON
we're dispatched to meet the President
at Wheeling, because it was feared that
the Pike, the boat lie was on, was TOO
large to tow up TO Pittsburgh. We left
Pittsburgh on u Tuesday afternoon, early
in February, und got to Wheeling late
in the afternoon. We had only been
landed about an hour, or just as the sun
was setting, when the bout bearing the
President steamed up near us. When 1t
arrived the cannon on it was fired and
the one We had was also discharged,
signaling the presence OF the President.
Tie boat which brought him uPthat far
was the Pike. 1t was plying MS mail
packet between Cincinnati and Louis
vile, and, being OF very great speed, was
selected to bring President Harrison,
at was getting dark when the Presi-
dent nlighted from the boat with a con-
siderable number OF Others. He wore n
common gray suit, and n slouch black
hat. His whole outfit could not have
cost more than $50. Hestayed at Wheel
ing over night.
"About So'CloCk on Wednesday morn.
the President got on board the Pike,
which ycntured to lun all the way with
the Fulton, so that both boats were
launched together, the latter keeping
ahead about II half mile.
"When about half way everybody on
both boats was amused by the antics Of
an old man and woman who were seen
standing on the south shore, dancing to
the MUSIC they could clearly hear from
both boals, It was SO delightfully."-
amusing to the President that he came
from his cabin and remained until both
boats were ut distance from the gay
old couple, and the music could no
longer be heard by them. All those on
the boat and the couple on the wharf
recognized the separation with bow.
nWhen we got to White Rock Rifle,
l2 miles below Pittsburgh, the Presi-
dents boat got stuck. Our Captain,
seeing. this, had our boat turned down
stream, and soon the Fulton had her
swelled Off; aud from there the boats
were tied together, and in that way
they launched ut the wharf ut Pitts
burgh.
ave arrived with the President at
noon, and as We steamed up to the
Point all the boats had been cleared
away, and the President landed amid
the constant roaring OF cannon and the
sweet strains Of music,
DIDN'T TAKE NOTES,
"Thnt is about all that l can tell you.
Being watchman on the boat, l could not
leave my post; therefore, 1 don't know
anything about his being received and
taken to the hotel. But l did hear that
the same week he left Pittsburgh for
Washington In Il jacket ou the old canal.
~ remember well that during that
whole week the weather was about the
same as it is now; the sun was shining
every day. can also tell you where ex-
President Harrison lived, but l cannot
exactly tell you the name Of the place,
though think it was North Bend. !
often saw it while steamboating. 1t was
only u short distance below Cincinnati
on the north bank OF the Ohio. His
home was 4 log house, surrounded by d
Young orchard. Near HIN Vas q nlape
called The Two Sisters. There resided
two influential lawyers, whose wives
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