Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-07-05
The CANDIDATES.
Brief Sketches of the Republican Candi-
dates for President and Vice-President-
BENJAMIN II. HARRISON

Brief Sketches of the Republican Candi-
dates for President and vice-President-
BENJAMIN H. HARRISON.
Harrison is an historic name going back to
the earliest days of Virginia colonial history.
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, was a member
OF the House OF BurgesSeS and later of the Co
lonial Congress-. patriot of the revolutionary
period. he was one OF the signers OF the Dec
laration OF Independence. was three times
elected Governor of Virginia, and was men,
Der of the convention that ratified the Consti-
tuition. His son, William Henry Harrison, SOL
der and statesman, was the ninth President OF
the United States. John Scott Harrison. son
OF the President. was the father of General
Harrison, the subject of this sketch.
General Harrison was born August 20, 1888,
on the Harrison homestead near North Bend, a
lew miles below Cincinnati, where his father
and grandfather were tilling the farm to which
the latter had retired after a long career as
Governor of the Northwestern Territory and in
Congress. Young Benjamin was seven years
old when his grandfather was elected Presi-
dent in the famous log-caoin and hardcidcr
campaign.
John Scott Harrison was n farmer who was
several times elected county clerlx-and his
sons were reared as farmers. too Young Ben
attended the district school till he was fifteen,
and then entered Miami University, Oxford, o.,
where, despite his youthfuness he made rapid
progress in his studies. At eighteen he gradu-
ted, and Immediately took up the study OF law
in the office of Judge Bellamy Storer, OF Cincin-
application that he admitted TO the bar
before he had reached his majority. Not only
that, but he had married well, and his TWEEN
ty-trst birthday found him man of family and
practically without resources, having only $40
or 500, advanced him by his father. But tho
youth had always felt confidence in his ability
to take care OF himself. - and that same year
made his appearance in Indianapolis to COM
mence the practice OF law.
His was not an imposing figure at that time.
little, slender fellow, with smooth face, IL big,
tow-white head no neck TO speak OF, and only
the rather incredible fact that he had wife
saved him from being mistaken for d schoolboy.
He was poor, too, and for a long time lived in
three rooms in a little old house, still standing,
In Vermont street, near Alabama Yet he was
successful almost from the start, One OF his
earliest employmeuts was by the Democratic
Governor, 10 seph A. Wright, in legislative
investigation, wherein he displayed much aOil-
fly. Then he was so fortunate as to be selected
Cor assistant prosecutor in the case OF the wom-
an charged with poisoning man at the old
Ray House-a case which excited u great deal OF
public interest. His success in that brought
him clients and OF them he has since had no
lack. Indeed, he has forten or fifteen years been
one OF the foremost lawyers in the State, aud
now that the Hendricks firm is broken up and
ex-senator Mcdonald largely out of law he
may be said, with the possible exception of
John M. Butler, 10 stand ut the head of his pro-
fesSiOn in Indiana,
When the war broke out he was still poor
man with wife and two children to maintain.
In 1860 he was elected reporter of the Supreme
Court, but in 1862 ne left that comfortable
berth to take service in the field. He raised
company and was soon promoted to be Colonel
of the regiment which was eventually assigned
TO Woods brigade OF the twentieth army corps.
He took part in the various campaigns of 1862
and 1853 in the middle district but saw very
exciting service until the Atlanta campaign.
When Sherman began pushing Joe Johnston
south from Chattanooga Harrison's regiment
took its share in the rough and tumble work,
being credited with the capture of some guns
at Resaco. One of his bioGraphers says:
Though mere boy in appearance and slight
OF frame, he had square shoulders and 4 pow
erful arm. He was odd-looking figure at
that time, slender with Il big, tow white head,
short neck and short legs. He used TO ride
large horse too, and l can remember hearing
him laughed at u good deal But he had the re-
spect and confidence OF all He exceed
ingly tenacious OF his rights; or, rather, of the
rights OF his command. He insisted on having
for his boys the best camping place and the
best OF supplies and accoutrcments He as
young and inexperienced and knew little of the
arts OF war, but he had learned what his rights
were, and in his quiet way he insisted upon
having them. and Invariably succeeded"
His commission as Brigadier General was won
ut the battle of Peach Tree creek before the
outworEs OF Atlanta In the fall of 1854 after
the fall OF Atlanta. General Harrison, in COM
mon with Logan, Blair and others, whom Old
Tecumseh styled his political Generals" Oh
tanned a leave OF absence and came North to
stump the State for the Republican party, re-
joining his command aftcrward and serving till
the end of the war.
Returning TO Indianapolis, he soon laid the
. foundation for law business so lucrative that
in 1858 he declined to run again for reporter Of
the Supreme Court.
In 1876 the central committee named him for
Governor d ring his absence fOm the State,
Godove Ortiz the nominee of the conven ion,
having withdrawn. The outlook was most
unfavorable one. but General Harrison accepted
the responsibility and made vigorous cam
paign. That was the year OF Tilden and Hen
bricks, and of course Harrison beaten.
This campaign greatly extended his acQuaint-
ance and reputation among the people, and he
was now recognized as leader.
In the convention or 1889 his name men,
toned for President without cSpe ial promn-
ence. In the year he elected to the
United States Senate. He is fairly effective
speaker but not an orator.
LEVI p. MOTION.
Levi P. Morton, the wealthy New York
banker, was born ut Stoneham, VT. May 16,
had all the advantages of academic cduca-
mercantile business at Hanover, n. H. Five
years later ne removed to Boston, and in 1854
turned up in New York City, where he Shove /
thrifty turn, becoming banker in 1868. He
was an honorary commissioner to the Paris Ex-
position in 1873, and elected to Congress
from New York in the same year He rcsi-;ncd
shortly before the expiration of his term to ac-
cept the appointment of Minister 10 France.
-% S--
KIDNAPPING.