New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-26
OFF FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
GENERAL HARRISON LEAVING IND1ANApoLIs

ALL THE PEOPLE TURN OUT TO BID THE pREsI.
DSNTELEcT FAREwELL-ADJoURNME OF
TIE LEGISLATURE TO RECORD THE
| lNolDENT-THE GENERAL MAKES
BRIEF ADDRESS
lBY TELgcRAPH TO THE THrausr.l
indianapolis, Feb 25.-Therc was no more NJ
pOmp OF display attending the departure of the
PRESIDENTIAL party from indianapolis TODAY than
oeheral Harrison would permit. 1t was his
earnestly expressed wish that there should be no
attempt at demonstration It would not be
IN accord with his feeling lie desired to 90
rom his homo as quietly and with as little cere-
nony as possible. When his Grand Army com
f"ueS asked permission to escort him from the
central part Of the city TO the railway station. a
distance of five blocks lac consented to the ar
angement but he was unwilling that the pro-
cesSlon should be heightened by other organiza-
uonS, and his wishes were respected Public
ieeiing was well indicated. however, in the dis
play Of flags from homes business houses, and
| pubic buildings and in the public observance
OF the occasion. The Democratic Legislature, i'm
medately after assembling in the morning, passed
resolution, unanimously deciding to adjourn dur
ing the hours OF the departure of the President
elect from his home, and they testified to the
pride Of the State irrespective of the political
differences of its citizens, in the honor of giving
to the country President The public schools
were closed and the nature of the
occasion was impressed upon the minds
of the pupils. Crowds began gathering in the
streets early in the day, and il was in every way
evident that the people of indianapolis were in
terested in nothing so much the departure Of the
ctys most distinguished citizen on mission Of
the highest Importance.
The forenoon was spent quietly by the President
elect and his family at their home in North Della
ware-st The preparations for departure were
finished last week. and the hours this morning were
spent mainly in looking things to see that
nothing was forgotten. A few old friends called
for farewell word, but there were not many
visitors. The house was not disturbed by tho
removal OF any Of the furnishings which in the last
few months have become familiar 20 many thou
sands Of Americans
AT 10 o'clock the last gift Of the hundreds
which have been brought 20 General Harrison was
presented by Thomas S. Quincy, in behalf of the
Chicago Commercial ana Travelling Mems Club, of
which he is president The present WIS the
toilet valise which was brought to the city last
night There was no formality in the presenta-
uon. The gift was simply handed TO General
Harrison by Mr. Quincy. and the two sat down
for a moment OF friendly conversation The
yalise is made Of black seal leather, with frame
OF triple plated gold lined with the finest cafskin
and the ten toilet articles accompanying the
valise are Of solid silver. After Mr. Quincy left,
Gene-al Harrison and few members Of his
family gathered about the valise 70 examine IT,
As the articles were removed, one by one, and adj
mired, flask was found. II WAS n beautiful
piece Of workmanship with n screw top The
General looked at IL quizzcalIy and smiled
I" guess that is large enough" he said. But the
practical eye of Mrs Mckee no sooner beheld tho
aaslS than with true mother instinct she hail plan
for It's use
oh! That will be iust the thing to hold
babys milk was her decisive declaration, and
she at once carried il away.
Among the callers was an aged negro, who
gravely gave his name as Peter w. H. MacJohnson
On his shoulders he bore large wooden con-
tFivance resembling a washng-machine, but of
about twice the size. II was labelled Iarrison's
machine and Peter asked permission TO bring
IL in and explain it's working to the President
elect. He also remarked that he had composed
"A song which was specially appropriate for the
occasion, and he would like TO sing it, He was
given a pleasant welcome and invited back TO
the dining-room. His form visibly straightened
with qualification at his reception, and removing
his battered hat, be walked proudly through
the hall and put the Harrison machine in the
place indicated. The contrlvancc was an odd
one, and was really ingenious, but the object
for which Il was constructed or what IL was de-
signed 70 illustrate was by no means clear. In
explaining IL, Peter said 10 represented in some
sort Of vaguely symbolical way the cider-press
and hominy mill which were among the chief
domestic implements Of the period OF the first
Harrison Administration. He bent over it and
touched key and q small wooden boat forth
with began to slide back and forth with the
regularity Of q pendulum, IN groove which
extended across the front Of the contriyance.
This beiug done. the old man took a position
near his handiworlS to begin his song. The verses
,yere dedicated 20 General Harrison and sung
10 the tune OF Auld Lang Syne' 1t was
comicoI and vet a pathetic scene. The family
and 0uests and nurses were grouped about long
table az one end OF the room listening The old ne
oro,s toll worn frame became erect his trembling
Inees stifYened and his hands were folded across
bia breast Throwing back his white head,
dreamy look came into his eyes He gazed far
ou,oy above the heads of his auditors and IN
.nriiI voice. tremulous with age and emotion, he
sorg The song itself wus incoherent and weird.
7, seomed at least in part, to be an mpro-
yisation and was similar to the Wild
ran,hliro nlantation songs OF the Oh slave
DAYS The bard sang on and on Ills
verses were repeated time after tune wth
strange variations. Little could be understood
20 NE meaning At times IL was apparent that
=. ''',, nloadirc for protection and help for his
roce S ~" then he would ask for blessings upon the
tnr, Harrison % family and the entire household When
the refrain had been listened TO until those present
c0vlS U not wait longer for its close, General Harr
.ou nnrosched the rapt singer and gently thanked
him for his visit A few words OF appreciation
=, tho Harrison machine delighted its builder.
- "a ,,t r,ar,- "God bless yous' and good |
byes," he sbamplea' happily away
The time for the departure of the family was
near They sat down to lunch in the old home
ror the last time but, it is said, there was not
II.Uaf AIaXa