The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-22
How Easy tt lis to BE Mistaken.

Editor of the Press:
1t has appeared in print, and many
of the pioneers of Portage County be-
lieve that the visit of Gen. VIM. 81.
Harrison to Ravenna was in 1910.
To correct this erroneous opinion,
please publish the following facts:
The first and only visit of Gen. VIM.
II. Harrison to Ravenna, was 30 years
ago the 14th day of July, 1855.
While on a visit to the northern part
of the State, Gen. Harrison was invi.
ted by a committee appointed for that
purpose, to partake of public dinner
at Ravenna. He accepted the invita-
tion, and on Saturday eve. July 14th,
1898, the committee of arrangements,
and a large delegation of citizens in
carriages and on horseback, met him
three miles out, and escorted him into
town. He remained over Sunday, the
guest of Col. VIM. Frazier. On Mon
day, the 10th of July, 1888. the pre-
gram of the committee was success
fully carried out. Dinner was prepar-
ed by MIR. J. 81. Leflngwell, of the
Pavilion House; tables were spread
for 800 guests in the then beautiful
grove on Bowery street. between the
present residences of ID. M. ClewelI,
J. G. Prentiss, and J. G. Beatty.
A large procession was formed under
the direction of the Marshals, in front
of the Globe Tavern. and marched to
the grove. The following were officers
of the day:
President, Hon. Darius Lyman
Vice Presidents, Geo. Kirkum Fred.
Wadsworth, Maj. e. Loomis, Geo. De
Peyster, Col. Elisha Garrett; Marsh.
ais, Coils. Wm. Frazer and David Nc.
The Garrettsville Band furnished
the music.
In maj ching to the grove the pro-
cession Was arranged in 4he following
order: lst Music; I'd, Com. of Ar
81, Officers of the Day
4th, Revolutionary Soldiers 5th, Gen.
Harrison and invited guests; 9th, Cit
izens.
Hon. Geo. Kirkum made the address
Of welcome. lGen- Harrison then took
the stand, and spoke in clear and
forcible manner for over two hours.
His address was devoted mainly to an
of his military campaigns,
which were SO severely criticised du-
ring his candidacy of 1886. {
For the time, party feeling was laid
aside, and leading Democrats Wed
with their polical opponents in ex.
tending to the war worn veteran their.
salutations.
DIR. Thomss Earl presented q series
Of resolutions, which were adopted.
Regular sentiments. prepared by the
were read and approved.
Volunteer toasts were presented by
Geo. Kirkum, John Crowel, Darius
lyman, l.. w. Hall, Lyman Bryant,
Gideon Pease. John Whittlesey, VIM.
Turner, J. w. Folly. w. 8. G. Otis,
DR. J. w. Wellman, Lauren Dewey,
Z. II. Doolittle, and others, few of
whom are now living.
While it is conceded that for enthu-
sissm and excitement, the campaign
Of ,lS4O is without parallel, still the
visit of Gen. Harrison to Ravenna,
being two years prior to his second
it really had very little
nnlifieal siuhifioanoa
Joseph Vance was the Whig, and
Wilson Shannon the Democratic can.
didate for Governor that year.
The Ohio Star. published in Raven
na at the time of Gen. Harrison's vis-
tt, fully corroborates all of the fsrego-
ing facts. Du;ing the lifetime of Col.
VIM. Frazer he carefully preserved,
aud had bound, nearly all of the early
published in Ravenna.
His son, Homer g. Fraz. .r, has con-
Ginued to preserve them with great
;are, adding additional volumes there
Co. Containing, as they do, so much
1f Portage County's early history they
are valuable, and will become m ore so
IS years roll on. What may become
If them at II. G. Frazer's death, none
AN tell. Do we not voice the senti-
nent of the people of Portage County
& ierally, in saying they should be
pa chased by the County Commission
Q ). and placed in the County Audit
o :. office, for future reference? Il
RAvENNA, o Nov l9, 1888
E. P. BRAINERD.