Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-13
A MEMBER OF HARRISONS BIBLE
CLASS.
M. v. Farrar Wonders What Political
Enemies Can Find to Say Against the
General

! BosToN, July IA correspondent of the
journal at Brdgton, Me-, contributes the
| following campaign literature to the Journal ::
81 have great curiosity to see what they
will manage to study up to try and damage
| General IIarrisons character. | know him
thoroughly, lived by him five years in In
danapolis, was a member of his class in
| Sunday School, have seen him on all sorts of
occasions and let me tell you, sir, that
know General Harrison to be one of the
purest, kindest- hearted, ablest and every way
the splendidest of men that ever lived. Yes,
| wonder what they will trump against him. -
The speaker was NJ. V. Farrar, clerk of
the Cumberland Hotel in Bridgton a native
of Buckfeld, where he was reared contem-
poraueousy with another distinguished gem
tleman, John d. Long. Mr.. Farrar, who is
a man of character and thoroughly reliable
in his statement, returned from Indiana ten
years ago. Mr.. Farrar is an enthusiastic
Blaine man, but, at the same time, is delighted
with the prospect of casting vote next fall
for his old Sunday School teacher.
The first time | ever met General Harri-
son, said he, ''was the Sabbath just after
my arrival in Indianapolis. Wishing to at
tend church, | walked over from the hotel,
only a short distance, to the First Presbyter-
ian Church. In accordance with the charac-
teristic cordially and hospitality of the
Western people, who weren't apt to pass by
on the other side when a stranger comes
within their gates, the ushers at once came
to me and extended a kindly welcome. |
was introduced to the pastor, the Rev. NJ.
enter the vestibule, but a short, thick set
good-looking man, and lady, who learned
were Benjamin Harrison and wife, and moth
would do but must be introduced to them"
After the service | accepted an invita-
ton to enter the Bible class, when whom
should find in charge of it but General
Harrison, and fine teacher he was too so
easy and agreeable, so well posted in the
Scriptures. with so Ineligible and instructive
a way of explaining their meaning and lessons
Never tried to show off or put on airs never
patronizing nor distant, but always kind and
approachable. When he asked question it
wasn't to the class in general, but to some
member in particular and if it was of
knotty character he'd put it in such way as
| to leave the scholar chance to get out of it
without wounding his pride. During my
five years stay in indianapolis, | frequently
went to the church and Sunday school, of
each of which he was chief pillar and con-
slant attendant and | never found cause to
change my first agreeable impression of Mr..
Harrison
"Ilow was he rated at home as lawyer:
| asked. AS one of the best in the State.
The firm was Harrison, Kinds & Miller
can never forget the time heard him make
his plea on great criminal case when he
was pitted against Dan Voorhees,. Dan is
one of the finest speakers | ever listened to-
He is easy, fluent, full of bright ideas
logical and forcible. In his argument, how
ever he showed tendency, accidental, or
intentional, to prevent the statements of
witnesses for which General Harrison re-
peatedly called him to account, and for
which he for the most part gracefully
acknowledged his error. But it was a power
full plea all the same and wondered how
Harrison would answer it. But he did meet
il aud handsomely, too. 1t was a battle of
giants. Harrison spoke all of two hours
perhaps longer, and such a plea. Talk of
his being only a grandson of his grandfather
why, bless your stars, if there's any lawyer
in the United States who can beat that argu-
ment a great sight just wish he'd be trotted |
out. Let me tell you right here that Ben
Harrison is not only one of the greatest
lawyers of the West, but his position as the |
acknowledged leader of the Indiana Repub-
,licans is honestly his"