Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-09-27
consin, when all of that great area was
included In what was known as I'm

included In what was known as "In-
diana Territory" presided over by Gov.
Harrison. For several years 1t was not
only the official residence and building
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 a shutter
In this room Is hole made by bull
let fred at William Henry Harrison
by a hostile Indian that night while
he was pacing the floor with new
born babe.
In 1901, when William Henry Harri-
son came to Vincennes, he recognized
the necessity of an official residence,
which would also serve as territorial
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 1t has stood for almost a
century 1t Is probably the most sub
stantial building In yincennes to-day.
T 1t is by no means antedated In archi-
lecture. Every bit of the material en-
teling 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
looks as bright to-day as when they
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
wallis
The building overlooked the Wabash
river, and was in one corner of HARE
sons plantation Of 1000 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 colonial veranda. VII
liam Henry Harrison was seated on
10 vol,
memorable mission, in 1909. Mr.. Har-
risOn 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 a 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 digniflad 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 proyender,
that he came not to ask favors or ac-
cept them, but he came to demand the
rights Of his people. He said he would
pitch his tent "over under that elm
tree" This he did, and under Its
branches from August 10 to 20 a 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 and
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 off their lands. Here, too, Te-
cumseh thew himself to the ground
and embracing it avowed that the sun
was his father. the earth his mother
and he would rather repose in her
bosom than to make concessions and
betray his people.
The Harrisons left for Fort Harrison,
Terre Haute. in 1911. Gen. Harrison
was then en- route to meet Tecumseh
in battle. The climax of this move was
Tippecanoe, which shattered the great
Tecumseh conspiracy. The organiza-
ton OF Illinois and Michigan reduced
Indiapa Territory to Its present limits,
and the Harrisons went to Corydon,
then made the seat of government.
Our idea of clever woman is one
who can write letter without begin
ming 1t with an apology.