Wichita eagle., 1889-03-27
Daily eagle
THE PRESIDENTS WIFE.
A Cosby Sketch Of Mrs. Caroline
Scott Harrison.

Her Girlhood Discussed by One Of Her
Childhood Associates - How She Be-
came Acquainted with Her Husband
"A Woman of Many Virtues.
Caroline Scott Harrison was born in Ok
ford, O., about fifty-five years ago, writes
one of her girlhood friends in the Chicago
Inter Ocean. Her father, Rev J. w Scott,
had short time before entered upon his
duties as professor in Miami University. at
that time one of the most popular institu-
tons Of learning in the West. Dr. Scott
was man of learning and ability, of COM
manding figure, fin e presence, gentleman
of the old school, genial in disposition, and
possessing happy and cheerful tempera-
ment that made him very popular with the
young people who were his charge.
Mrs. Scott was the daughter of John Neal,
prominent banker and business man Of
Philadelphia, and had enjoyed the best ad-
vantages of her time So the little Carrie
was born into home refined. cultured, re-
hgious, with all the best environments, If
we except wealth, which seldom abounds
In the Families OF teachers and preachers.
There was an older sister in the family,
now Mrs. Lord, a model little girl, refined,
otuulOuS. UlBDllleu anu lduYllhe-
Not so the little Caroline. She had hot
little temper, that would blaze up with a
fash and be as quickly extinguished with
flood Of repentant tears. She would run
away and play marbles and make mud pies,
climb trees, tear her frocks, and be in more
mischief every hour thar. could be told IN a
day. Her well-trained lady mother was
often in despair over it, and the good Doc
tor would address Caroline in his gravest
and severest tones, possibly conscious all
the time of his little daughters inheritance
of his own temperament.
But the training went on, and the little
fingers would be washed and set to sewing
seams, to striking notes, to drawing and
painting the flowers she gathered. The
quick and eager mind was strong in its
grasp, and so the gay, fun-loving girl was
after all child Of promise in her early
youth. So life went on in the beautiful old
college town for several years. Then came
the anti-slavery agitation, which broke up
the faculty of old Miami for the time, and
the venerable president, DR.. Bishop, and
DR.. Scott accepted positions in Farmers
College, at College Hill, near Cincinnati,
and removed their families TO that place.
In few years the Oxford Female College
was built and DIR. Scott was invited to be-
come its president.
A family school which he had organized
for the purpose of educating his own daugh-
ters and an orphan niece followed him to
Oxford, and was the nucleus of what soon
became large and popular school, which
has continued TO prosper to the present
day. 1t was from this school that Caroline
Scott graduated in 1853.
Ben Harrison had graduated in the neigh
boring university the same year. The grave
and earnest young man, lf-poised and re-
served, had found an irresistible charm in
the bright and witty girl overflowing with
life and spirit Within year they were
married, and as has often been told, found
home in tiny cottage In Indianapolis. The
little bride was young, but had been well
trained for her position. She was well edu-
Gated, fair musician, an artist in taste,
an expert needlewoman, and competent in
household management There was no
surplus of wealth on either side But to
make the matter light, there was no pre-
tense of it-and the accident was never con-
sidered by them bar to the best society
Their home was always a hospitable one
and friends were given a genuine and
hearty welcome whether the home was
cottage or a mansion.
When the war came the name of Benia-
min Harrison was already well known in
Indiana, and a prosperous and rapidly
growing business had been established.
He willingly laid down all his interests and
entered the ranks to fight for what he be-
Ii heved to be the right. The wife as bravely
gave up not only their hard-won pros
perity, but the husband she loved, and
with her two little children spent
the lonely and anxious years without
murmur or complaint, always busy with
the little ones or the many charitable offices
that the times demanded. She as well as
her husband have always been conscientious
and faithful in all religious duties, and
generation of children have grown up in
indianapolis who received their first i'm
pressions of the spiritual life from her
training in her infant classes. The chari-
table institutions have felt the impetus of
her executive ability, and her bright and
cheerful spirit has given hope and courage
in their times of encouragement and need.
The pretty little hands, that would still be
a good model for a sculptor, have always
been very busy, and the adornments of her
own home in painting and embroidery have
been in large measure the work of those
hands. And many friends cherish fondly
their gifts from the same source During
their six years residence in Washington
the Harrisons lived IN plain and simple
style. They were not rich enough to follow
the lead of the millionaire Senators even
had they wished to do so. They adhered to
their old plan of living as they could afford,
and maintaining their self respect. Mrs. I
Harrison held her unpretending weekly re-
ceptions in their hired rooms, and they
soon became center of attraction in the
gay and busy capital. The bright and en-
tertainIng mother and her lovely daughter,
with their genuine welcome and good cheer,
were sufficient TO give happy hour to
many who gladly escaped the more formal
Here also she showed her
in charitable work, and the estab-
lishment of the Garfield Hospital, so greatly
needed in Washington, was due in large
measure TO the faithful and earnest work Of
Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Logan.
STORIES OF HORSES.
All OF Them May Not BE True, But They