Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-09-21

Of the Territory, but the ammunition
storehouse as well. 1t was In this house
that the territorial representatives met.
Here were entertained Thomas Jeffer-
son, Commodore Perry and other illus
trious lights Of American history. In
the northwest room John Scott Harri-
son, father Of ex-President Benjamin
Harrison, was born, and in shutter
In this room Is a hole made by bull
let fired at William Henry Harrison
by a hostile Indian that night while
he was pacing the floor with a new
born babe.
In 1901, when William Henry Harri-
son came to y1ncennes, he recognized
the necessity of an official residence,
white House." an Indian fort, and an
ammunition warehouse. The Indian
troubles were becoming serious. 1t was
the beginning of that crisis which Te-
cumseh brought about, and which
closed with the battle of Tippecanoe.
The house was erected to meet all of
these requirements.
Though it has stood for almost a
century 1t is probably the most sub
stantial building In Vincennes to-day.
1t is by no means antedated In archi-
lecture. Every bit of the material en-
tering 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. The sashes,
doors, shades, castings, wainscoting and
finishing in this highly polished wood
were put in place. The work was done
by the best workmen he could bring
in from the East There are big old
fashioned fireplaces in every room,
and even in the cellar. The building
was made as nearly fireproof as posi-
BILE by packing clay between the cell
ings and the floors and between the
walls.
The building overlooked the Wabash
river, and was In one corner of Harri-
sons plantation OF 1000 acres, which
he named MY Plantation Grouseland."
nC yhiu was w nigh par
isades, making the interior an Indian
fort. The house itself was originally
surrounded by colonial veranda. VIII
liam Henry Harrison was seated on
this when Tecumseh arrived on that
memorable mission, in 1909. Mr.. Har-
rlson had taken precautionary steps
to head off trouble. The council cham
Der faced the window. He secreted
two full companies of territorial mi
litia in the chamber. AS Tecumseh
and his warriors came up the path,
they had little idea they were in range
of 200 muskets, with only thin wood
en- shutter between them. Harrison
had evidently studied his bearing. He
was seated on the porch, In his shirt
sleeves, leisurely smoking and reading
He did not see Tecumseh until he
reached the porch, and then he went
down, shook hands, and invited him
to the hospitality of the house. Tecum-
sch maintained the dignified reserve
Of representative of an offended peo-
pie, and declined the invitation, in
forming Harrison that he had brought
his retinue, his tents and his provender,
that he came not to ask favors or ac-
cept them, but he came to demand the
rights of his people. He said he wodld
pitch his tent lover under that elm
tree" This he did, and under its
branches from August 10 to 20 dra-
matte and historic conference lasted.
1t was within hearing distance Of the
house, and Mrs. Harrison viewed most
of the proceedings from the porch.
1t was during this conference that
Tecumseh called Harrison liar aud
pushed him backward Off the bench.
Harrison drew his saber and demanded
an explanation. Tecumseh then drew
, that striking smile between his act
and that of the white man pushing his
people on their lands. Here. too. Te-
cumseh thew himself to the ground
and embracing II avowed that the sun
was his father. the earth his mother
AMI he would rather repose In her
bosom than to make concessions and
betray bis people.