The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-10
RECOLLEOmONs OF HARRISON.
An Interesting Address on His Life by Dr..
Wishard on His Birthday Anniversary.

Yesterday was the anniversary of Gen. WILL
lam Henry Harrison's birthday, and the event
called together the members OF the Tippecanoe
Club, who assembled at the Mayors Office and
listened to an address from DIR. William H.
Wishard. who gave a history of Harrison's life
from the time of his birth to the battle of Tip
pecanoe. enlivenipg it with q number of inter-
esting anecdotes. After referring to Harrison's
education, the speaker stated that at twenty-five
years of age hs received the appointment of Sec
Rotary of the Terri tory, and served in the Office
until he was appointed Governor, at the age of
twenty-eiaht. He was the youngest Governor ia
the history of the country, and he also at time
governed a larger territory than any other Gov
ernor has ever presided over. At the time he
was Governor he also Indian agent and
commissioner, with the authority to treat with
the Indians. During that period he negotiated
treaties annexing 60, 600. 600 acres of land. He
WAS afterward elected TO Congress, and while
member of that body introduced bill which
provided for apportioning the country into Sec
lions and townships. Previous TO that time
land had been annexed only in sections OF 1000
acres each, and poor man who wanted to pur-
chase would have to do 90 through
second party. Some OF Harrisons
Interviews with Tecumseh and other In
dian chiefs were described. Harrison served in
one capacity or another under four Presidents
Washington. Adams, Jefferson and Madison
At the expiration of his commission az Cover
nor, both Legislature and the people petitioned
stain on his official character His principal
emies were Tecumsoh and the Prophet, Tecum
seh's brother. DIR. Wshard stated that he,
when a small boy, had tho Prophet, and
that he was probably the only in the
United States, now living. who had. In 1926,
when the Pottawatomies were moving to their
Western reservation in what 10 now Kansas,
they camped for two days and nights
short distance from DIR. Wishard's
fathers house. and IN their number
was the Prophet and Tscumssh's widow and son.
DIR. Wishsrd says the histories give good de-
scripton of the Prophet. who was tall slender
man, having but one eye and with an evil coun-
tenanes He says that although Tscumseh and
tho Prophet were brothers nnd.twins, they were
Dramatically opposed to each other in character.
Tecumsch was bold, brave fearless and high
toned, but the sworn enemy Of the whites; the
Prophet had no war record and
lent and treacherous. At the battle OF
Jippecanoe he urged the Indians forward
BY the statement that he had been told by tho
Unseen Voice that the Indians could not lose the
battle He stationed himself on q high piece of
ground, ont Of danger, and singing war
songs, when m messenger came and told him
mis- men were failing fast. Fight on, tell
them" said he. "for We cannot lose,' and then
he resumed his wsr songs.
Dr. Wishard related an anecdote concerning
General Harrison's father. Benjamin Harrison,
who one OF the signers OF the Declaration of
Independence. Some one. after Harrison had
signed the document. asked him IL he was not
awars that it would go hard with him IL King
George would hear of bis treason. II am not
afraid" the reply. 1.-THE Harrison family
has always belonged to the dissenters aud many
Of them have bean hung and burned At the
et1A'