Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-08-05
no HONOR HIS MEMORY.
Indiana Will Mark tho Grave OF
Governor jennings.
Remarkable Character of the First Chief
Executive of the Hoosier state-His
Fight Against slavery-Ruined
by Drink.

The late session of the Indiana legis-
lature made an appropriation OF $500
for the purpose of erecting monu-
ment at the grave of Jonathan Jen-
nings, the first governor of Indiana,
and the citizens of Charlestown and
Clark county have swelled the original
amount appropriated by private sub
scription until the monument fund has
reached a respectable figure.
Jonathan Jennings was one'of the
remarkable men of Indiana. He was
born in New Jersey in 1854, removed to
PENNSYLVANIA, and while young came
down the Ohio river in a flatboat and
settled at Jacksonville, where he
commenced the practice of law. Soon
after he was made clerk of the terrific
rial legislature. He was elected the
first territorial delegate to congress in
1909 Although democrat young Jen-
nings was bitterly opposed to the ex-
tension of slavery, and through his
efforts more than those of any other
man Indiana was admitted to the union
as free state in 1916. At the first
constitutional convention held in Cory
den in 1916 Jonathan Jennings was
elected president of the convention
and after the adjournment he an
nounced himself a candidate for gov
ernor of the new state. Attic August
election of 1916 he defeated Thomas
Posey, the then territorial governor,
receiving SELL votes, his Jennings
opponent 1884 votes.
Two years later Gov. jennings was
appointed by President Monroe com
missioner to negotiate a treaty with
the Indians, and after a bitter legal
contest he held the office of governor
as well as commissioner. lie was re-
elected governor in 1920 and resigned
the govcrnorShip in 1872, having been
elected to congress. lie served four
terms in the lower house of congress
and was defeated for a fifth term by
Gen. John Carr. On retiring from con-
gress Mr. Jennings removed to his farm
near Charlestown. The ex-governor's
residence was large double Lighthouse,
situated two and a half miles west of
this village, surrounded by several hun
drcd acres of fertile blue grass lands.
Here he entertained the leading poll
ticians of Kentucky and Indiana in
that hOspitable manner for which he
was noted. He owned a large still
house and mill, situated on his estate,
and kept a number of servants, al
though he was very plain man, fire.
quently being taken by strangers for
one of the eX-governor's servants.
The convivial habits of that period
soon claimed him a victim, and il is
recorded that his political career was
cut short by his uncomfortable desire
for drink, his warmest friends voting
against him in his last race for con-
gress. lie was twice married. His
first wife was a Miss Hay. member
of one of the Oldest and most promi-
nent families in Charlcstown. He was
married few years before his death
to Miss Clarissa Barbee. of Lexington.
KY, and James X. Sharp, an old gen
tleman residing here. who as n boy
lived With Jennings during the last
year of his life, speaks in glowing
terms of the ideal homelife of the en-
governor and his second wife. even
the governors convivial habits caus-
ing no ripple on the sea of domestic
bliss
The ex-governor was taken i'll in
July, 1884, and on the 26th of that
month he passed away, surrounded by
his family and many devoted friends.
The next day the remains were placed
in common farm wagon and taken to
the little cemetery, situated on a high
hill in the western part of Charlestown.
and there inferred. The grave will
soon be marked by monument of
Vermont granite.
The old house in which Gov. .Jen-
nings and Miss Barbee were married
and where the governor held his first
reception still stands on acorner fone
of Charlestowns pretty streets after
having stood the ravages of nearly a
century.