The Portland daily press., 1888-07-09
A MAINE MANS MEMORIES
OF His Acquaintance with General
Harrison in indianapolis.
Boston Journal


BRIDGToN, July Al have great curiosi-
ty to see what they'll manage TO study up to
try and damage Gen. Harrison's character. l
know him thoroughly; lived by him five
Years in Indianapolis: was member of his
class in the Sunday school; have seen him
on all sorts of occasions, and let me tell you,
sir. that know Gen. Harrison to be one of
the purest, kind-heartedest,a ,ablest, and every
way splendidest of men that ever lived. Yes,
l wonder what they'll trump up against
him."
The speaker was Mr.. M. V. M. Farrar,
clerk of the Cumberland Hotel here in
Bridgton, native of Buckield, where he
was raised contemporaneously with that
distinguished gentleman, the Hon. John d.
Long. Mr.. Farrar, who is man of charac-
ter and thoroughly reliable in his statements
returned from Indianapolis ten years ago.
Chatting with him the other day at the ho-
tel. the writer drew from him some personal
recollections of the Presidential nominee.
MI. Farrar, by the way, is an enthusiastic
Blaine man, but, at the same time ia de-
lighted over the prospect of casting a vote
next fall for his old Sunday school teacher.
ine nIst time ever met General Harri-
my arrival in Indianapolis. Wishing to at
tend church, walked over from the hotel.
only short distance, to the First Presbyte-
ran Church. In accordance with the char
acteristlc cordiality and hospitality of the
Western people, who aren't apt to pass by
on the other side,' when stranger comes
within their gates, the ushers at once came
TO me and extended me kindly welcome, I
was introduced to the pastor, the Rev. Mr..
a hamier, and his wife. Directly, who should
enter the yestlbule but rather. short, thick
set, good looking man and lady, whom, /
learned. were General Benjamin Harrison
and wife. And nothing to do but must be
introduced to them, / shall never forget that
INTRODUCTION; 1t Is sunny memory in my
'Well. went in and listened TO eood Par.
son Kumler. After the service accepted an
invitation to enter the Bible class when
wh0m should find in charge of it but Gem
eral Harrison. And fine teacher he was.
100 SO easy and agreeable; so well posted
structive way of explaining their meaning
and lessons. When he asked a question II
wasn't to the class in general, but to some
member in particular, and il it was of
knotty character he'd put it in such a way
as TO leave the scholar chance to get out of
it without wounding his pride. During nv
hve years stay in Indianapolis l frequently
went to the church and Sunday School-of
each OF which he was a chief pillar and con-
Stdnb attenuant-anQ never found cause to
change my first agreeable impression of Mr..
Harrison"
How was he rated at home as a lawyer p,
| asked.
"As one of the very best in the State. The
hrm was Harrison, Kinds & Miller. / can
never forget the time heard him make his
plea on great criminal case there, when he
was pltted against Dan Voorhees, Dan ia
one OF the finest speakers l ever listened to.
He Is very easy, fluent, full of bright ideas.
logical and forcible. In his argument how,
ever, ne showed proneness, accidental or
Intentional, to pervert the statements of wit
nesses, for which General Harrison repeat-
edly called him to account, and for which he
ior the most part gracefully acknowledged
MS error But it was powerful plea. all
the same, and [ wondered how Harrison
would answer it. But he did meet it. and
handsomely, too. 1t was battle of giants.
Harrison spoke all of two hours, perhaps
longer, and such plea Talk of his being
only grandson of his grandfather. why'
bless your stars, if there's any lawyer in tie
United States who can beat that argument
great sight, just wish he'd be trotted out
Let me tell you, right here, that Ben. Harri
son Is not only one of the greatest LAWYERS of
the West. but his position as the acknowl-
edged leader of the Indiana Repu blicans is
honestly his.''