The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-11
PRAISE BIZ AN OLD FRIEND.
Gen. Ekin's Personal "Reminiscences OF tho
President-Elect.

President-Elect.
Louisville Courier ournal.
Probably no man IN this State has better or
moro intimate acquaintance with Gen Ben
Harrison, the recently elected future President
OF the United States. than Gen. James A Ekin,
OF this city. Gen. Ekns long service IN the
United States army afforded him opportunities
for acquaintance and intimacy with oil the prom
inent army officers and leaders in the late civil
war. Since Gen. Ekin's long term Of honorable
service terminated with his retirement from the
army he has not allowed his acquaintance 20
drop, and he probably to-day knows more prom
inent men In army circles and In political life
than almost any other gentleman In this city.
He and Gen. Harrison on terms Of warm
personal friendship. and Gen. Ekin has watched
Gen Harrisons private and public career for
nearly thirty years. Gen. Ekin received q
urierJournal reporter Ct the residence OF
his son-in-law, Mr.. A. E. Wilson. last evening,
and. speaking o. Gen. Harrison. said:
IL have been Intimately acquainted with Gen.
Harrison for almost thirty years i Was sta
toned in Indianapolis In charge OF the United
States quartermasters department. from 1861
to 1864, and was at that time the only United
States Quartermaster in Indiana. General
Harrison was then young lawyer, struggling
hard. but had already won by his ability the re-
spect and admiration OF every older member Of
the bar. He had been elected by the people Re-
porter OF the Supreme Court OF Indiana. and
was practicing in all the higher courts or the
State. Some years before Mr. Harrison bad
been married TO Miss Scott, a most estimabls
Christian lady, the daughter or prominent
Presbyterian minister of PennsylvAnis- He
was at that time energetic and industrious
attorney, and several speeches and addresses
heard him make gained FOR him quite q consid.i
cradle reputation as young lawyer of much
'In 1862, when President Lincoln issued a
call for 200, 900 men, one regiment was assigned
TO be raised in each congressional district OF
Indiana. Dir. Harrison organized a company 10
lodi lie nd N.r4 49, IeArr@~
ants. Afterward, when that and other conpa-
MES raised In Indianapolis, they were
massed into regiment and Lieutenant Har-
rison was commissioned as its colonel, aud the
regiment was numbered the Seven tieth Indiana
Infantry. 1 remember when the regiment was
authorized by Gov. Oliver Z. Morton be sent
for to visit him at the State-house aud
stated to me that he wished particular attention
given to the outfit and equipment OF this body
Of troops, as Ben Harrison was to command 1T
and he desired that young man to be at the head
OF q very crack regiment
"At the end of thirty days everything had
been completed, and the SEVENTEEN Indiana was
ready for the field of battle. In my Judgment
. more splendid regiment never kept step to the
music Of the Union. AS the troop was about TO
leave for the scene Of action was present at It's
inspection and review by the Governor. After
the colors had been placed in the color-bearers
hands by the Governor, the regiment wheeled
Into sections, the companies were formed into
platoons, aud there never was Overlooking
body OF men than that which was cheered aud
spDlauded that day By the people Of Indiansp-
oils.
az need not refer to the record made duriu n
the war by that re gimsnt. but il 10 one Of which
every Indisnian aud friend of the Union mieht
well feel proud. / Was not present in Indianap-
oils when the Seventeen Indiana returned homo
after the close OF the war, but the gallant sol-
diers were received by the people with the great
est enthusiasm. OF the eighty regiments sent
out from Indiana during the war. while was
duty in that State, General Harrisop's was
among the most soldierly looking and efficient in
actual service
During the time Of Its equipment 1 had fro
quent conferences with Colonel Harrison. who.
previous to that time, had spent much time Ia
my Office. he then expressed great anxiety to
have the men and outfit complete and
thorough as possible. In conversation with
Governor Morton at various times since the war
he said that the old Seventeen Indiana had fully
realized all the expectations made for 1t.
II have had frequent correspondence with
General Harrison since met him the last time,
In 1884, when he WAS in the United States Sem
ate and tho Garfield administration was inauc,
ursted at Washington. Then renewed our
friendship. which mad always been warm and
cordial. Personally, General Harrison IN
warm and exceedingly pleasant man. regard
him rs q remarkable person, the embodiment Of
tho very best traits Of an American citizen, q
model father and model husband. / know
him In hie church. For many years be has bsen
an elder in the Presbyterian Church. and o FIRE.
quent delegate to the Presbyterian supreme
court. From personal knowledge know THAI
he has been regular attendant OF tbs
Wednesday night prayer meetings. Until the
present time he has been n teacher IN the
Sabbath school. and was at the head of q Bible
class composed Of sixty young men. No move
ment has ever been started IN behalf OF the
Presbyterian Church in which he did not take
an active and jealous part, but then no thoughts
had entered his head that he would ever be .
candidate the presldency.H