Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-25
THE OLD, OLD STORY.
He who stems a stream with sand,
And fettars flame with naxen band
Has vet a harder to. to prove
By firm resolve 20 conquer love

There Is pleasant nttie cnaplef " ZIG ~
nance of American history which Is worthy
Of perusal and remembrance Its incidents
occurred almost a hundred years ago, on the
banks Of the beautiful Ohio river. The chlef
hero OF the tale was then young army officer
Fifty years afterward he became the nintn
president Of our republic
Soon after the passage Of the ordinance OF
1877 for the establishment of a government
In the wilderness northwest OF the Onio river,
lands in that region were offered for sale to
settlers.
John Cleves Symmes a judge Of the supreme
court OF New Jersey and son-in-law of Gov
ernor William Livingston, of that state, pur-
chased for himself and others 100000 acres
Of land in the rich and beautiful country on
the right bank Of the Ohio, between the Great
and Little Miami rivers, including the site Of
Cincinnati Judge Symmes settled on his
purchase with number Of families at place
called the North Bend (of the Ohio. fourteen
miles below Cincinnati, where be contem-
plated planting the fruitful seeds of a com
mercial city, TO be called by his name. He
then began the construction of strong hewn
log houses for the settlers; but Cupid, in hate
full FORM interfered with his plans. his hopes
and his laudable ambition
Troops detailed for the protection Of the
Miami settlers, were landed at the North
Bend in charge of Ensign Luce, a gay and
handsome young army officer, who was
warmly welcomed by Judge Symmes and the
settlers. The judge gave him an outline Of
his plans, and offered him assistance in build
ing a strong block house there. Luce made
preparations to build it when he suddenly
hesitated, and went to Losanteville after
ward Cincinnatil where some settlers had
erected log cabins and were seated. His
avowed object was to decide which would
be the better place for a fertilization and a
city, North Benz or Losanteville. He decided
in favor of the latter; and, despite the re-
monstrances and entreaties of Judge Symmes
and the settlers, he marched the troop to
Losanteville in the spring Of 1880, built a
block house there, and garrisoned it.
Passion, not judgment, governed Ensign
Luce in making this decision He had been
captivated by the sparkling black eyes and
pretty face Of the young wife of one of the
settlers OF North Bend. When the husband
discovered the too great attentions Of the en-
sign to his fascinating spouse he removed
to Losanteville, that she might be beyond the
power Of the tempter. Luce followed the
charmer The alarmed husband revealed the
situation to Judge Symmes, who threatened
the ensign with the exposure of his nefari-
Gus acts To save himself from the newt
able disgrace of dismissal from the army
Luce resigned before June roses bloomed, and
left for parts unknown
Soon after this Major Doughty appeared at
Cincinnati. with detachment of troops, and
built Fort Washington there. 1t became the
headquarters of the army in the northwest
and many of the settlers at North Bend re-
moved to Cincinnati. If this American
Helen had remained at North Bend, the
Queen City Of the Westn-Cincinnati-
would probably have been founded there.
AT that period an active young officer Of
the United States, q scion Of a distinguished
family in Virginia, and the youngest of fifteen
children, named William Henry Harrison
was serving under the impetuous Gen. Wayne
against the Indians i'll the northwest. After
the pacitication of the barbarians by the
treaty at Greenville, in l195, Capt Harrison
was appointed to the command of the garri-
son at Fort Washington. Meanwhile, a block
house had been built at North Bend, on the
bank of tho river, and made dependency Of
the post Mt Cincinnati. 1t early received the
attention of Capt. Harrison
Judge Symmes had erected quite com
modious house at North Bend, and to that
dwelling came his family at midwnter, 1875.
One of his family was his sweet daughter
Anna, then girl OF 20 years, slight III stature,
beautiful in form and features, and lovely in
disposition.
Capt. Harrison, slender, 1.-THE, Of polished
manners, and about - years of age, was q
welcome guest at the hospitable dwelling of
Judge Symmes Whenever he made all official
visit at the block house These visits, which
became more and more frequent, were spe
cially pleasing to the gentle Anna" who
had met the captain at the house of her sister,
Mrs, Maj Short, near Lexington, Ky, few
months before They became warm friends.
Their friendship ripened into love, aud they
were betrothed, with the willing consent Of
the maiden's father.
Slanderous stories about Capt. Harrison
caused Judge Symmes to withdraw his con-
sent to the nuptials Of the young couple
Anna had implicit confidence in her affanced,
but her father was memorable. The naiden's
head and heart were in accord with her
faith, her allegiance and her desires, and she
resolved to give her hand to the one she
loved, with her fathers blessing, If possible.
Tho Judge persistently treated the suitor
with GOODNESS, but never with dscourtesy or
inhospitality He and Anna frequently met,
but the judge remained unmoved in his OPP
position to their marriage
The autumn was far spent, when. late in
November, Judge Symmes was suddenly
called to Cincinnati Capt Harrison was
then on an official visit with the little garri-
son at North Bend On frosty morning
the judge departed The lovers took advant-
age of the opportunity offered, and they were
married in the judges house on the same day
by DR. Stephen Wood, then n magistrate, in
in the presence OF Annals stepnother, who
was not averse to the ceremony.
On the following morning the welded pair
also departed for Cincinnati, on horseback,
accompanied by an orderly on white mare,
and leading a pack saddled mule, bearing
their wardrobe They took up their abode in
Fort Washington, and lovingly awaited the
appearance of the POSSIBLY irate father
4 few weeks elapsed before Judge Symmes
saw his newly made son-in-law The meeting
TOOK place at Christmas dinner party given
to Ger. Wayn. by Gen Wilkinson who was
then in command of Fort Washington.
When they met, the judge said to the captain,
rather sterny
well, sir, understand you have married
Anna"
Yes, sir the captain modesty replied
slow do sou expect to support A9naf' the
father n1Elir.i.
The young soldier was stirred by slight in
hgnation berause of such a question, and
quickly and littfe vehemently replied;
by my sword and my own right arm, sir
Judge Symmes, who had always respected
the young man because Of his noble bearing,
was specially pleased with this reply Like
sensible man. as he was, he felt reconciled
fa-l 49,