Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-09-29

years OF ncSlccl anu expects To restore
it to It's original appearance and pre-
serve it as Il mcmcnto OF American
history.
The old home remained in the hands
of the Harrison family until 1910,
when it passed to William Pigeon. who
handed it down With his estate to
Flayius Pigeon, who in turn was forced
to sell it TO l.. S. Shepard. Since it
passed out of the hands OF the Harri-
som family it has served Il multitude
of purposes. ranging from Il hotel To q:
fold for sheep in the winter.
Around This building. erected in 1904
and then claiming the distinction of
being the most prctentious structure
west of the present State of Ohio, ccn-
ters most of the territorial history of
Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wis
consin, when all of that great area was
included in what was known as 'In-
diana Territory" presided ovcr by Gov.
Harrison. For several years it was not
only the official residence md building
of the Territory. but the ammunition
s%torchouse as we'll. 1t was in this house
that the territorial Representatives met.
Here We're entertained Thomas .Jeffer-
son, Commodore Perry and other illus
trious lights of American history. In
the northwest room John Scott IIarri-
son, father of eN-Prcsident Benjamin
Harrison, was born, and i'll Il shutter
in this is n hole made by Il bull
let fired at William Henry Harrison
Ia, a. 1,De<;1& I,,.1s~,, Al,&A ,s.,1,A ,.1..l.
he was pacing the floor with Il now-
born babe.
In 1901, when William Henry Harri-
son came to Vincenncs, he recognized
The necessity of an official residence,
which would also serve as IL territorial
White House," an Indian. fort, and an
ammunition warehouse. The Indian
troubles We're becoming serious. 1t was
the beginning OF that crisis which 1'e-
cumseh brought about. and which
closed with the battle of Tippecanoc.
Tho house was erected to meet all OF
these requirements.
Though it has stood for almost Il
century it is probably the most sub
stantial building in Nincennes to-day.
1t is by no means antedatcd in arclli-
lecture. Every bit of the material en-
tcring into the construction was made
or finished by hand. The rafters are
of walnut and the finishing is in the
finest black walnut that could be found
in the forests of Indiana. Tho sashcs.
doors. shades, castings. wainscoting and
finishing in this highly polished wood
looks as bright to-day us when they
We're put in place. The work WAS done
by the best worllmen he could bring
i'll from the East. There are big old
fashioned tircplaces in every room.
and wen i'll the cellar. The building
was made as nearly tireproof as posi-
! bic by packing clay between the cell
ings and the floors and between the
walls.
The building overlooked tie Wabash
river, and WAS in one corner of liarri.
sons plantation OF 1.00U acres, which
he named My Plantation Grouseland."
The yard WAS surrounded by high pal
isades, making the interior an Indian
fort. The house itself WAS originally
surrounded by IL colonial veranda. Viii
liam Henry Harrison was seated on
this when Tcclimisel, arrived on that
memorable mission. III 1SnD. MIR. llar-
rison had taken precautionary steps
to head of trouble. The council cham
Der feed the window. lie secre,c,!
.wo full companies of territorial mi
itiM i'll the chamber. AS cTecumscl.
and his warriors came up the path.
they had little idea they were in rang.
of 300 miiskcts. with only Il thin wood
sn shuttle: between them. Harrison
aad evidently studied his bearing. Ne
was seated ON the porch. in his shirt
sleeves, ~lcisurely smoking and rea,lin-.
He did not see Tecunlsch until he
coached the porch, amii then lie went
down. shook hands, and invited him
% the hospitality of the house. Tccum-
sch maintained the di@niiiel reserve
Of Il representative of an offended peu-
pie. and declined the invitation. liz
forming Harrison that lie had brought
his retinuc. his tents and his provcnlcr.
that he came not to as. iavo.s or nc
cept them. but he came 10 demand the
rights of his people. Ike said lie would
pitch his tent over Under that elm
tree" This lie did. AMI under It's
branches frcm August 10 to - II dra.
matte and l~istoli. conference lasted.
1t was within herring distance of the