Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-09-21

floor there were three guest chambers.
The building overlooks the beautiful
Wabash 1t was in one corner of Har-
risons plantation of 1000 acres which
he named MY Plantation Grouseland."
The yard was surrounded by high pail
sades, making the interior an Indian
fort. The house itself was originally
surrounded by a colonial veranda.
William Henry Harrison was seated on
this when Tecumseh arrived on that
memorable mission in 1909. Harrison
had been informed by his spies that Te-
cumseh was at last coming to confer
with him. 1t will be remembered that
there had been several passes between
the two great leaders on the point of
this visit. Tecumseh, liking display
and desiring to make an imposing
showing, had proposed to make his
visit accompanied by his warriors.
Harrison feared Indian deception, and
he refused to receive him unless he
came as an individual. Tecumseh pro-
tested, then gave up the visit, but later
considered and, with seventy warriors,
started down the Wabash. Harrison
took precautionary steps to head off
trouble. The council chamber faces
the window. He secreted two full
companies of militia in the chamber.
AS Tecumseh and his warriors came up
the path they had little idea they were
in range of 200 loaded rifles with only
thin wooden 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 Tecum-
sch until he reached the porch, and
then he went down, shook hands and
invited him to the hospitality of the
house. Tecumseh maintained the dig
nified reserve of a representative of an
offended people, and declined the in
vitation, informing Harrison that he
had brought his retinue, his tents and
his provender, that he came not to ask
favors or accept them, but to demand
the rights of his people. He said he
would pitch ais tent lover under that
elm tree" This he did, and under it's
branches from Aug. 10 to 20 occurred
that dramatic and historic conference
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 Te-
cumseh called Harrison a liar and
pushed him off the bench. Harrison
drew his saber and demanded an ex-
PLANTATION. Tecumseh, great on ready
reply then drew that striking smile
between his act and that of the white
man pushing his people off their lands
Here, too, Teeumseh threw himself on
the ground and, embracing it, avowed
that the sun was his father, the earth
mis- mother, and he would rather repose
in her bosom than to make the con-
cessions and betray his people 1t was
highly dramatic
The Harrisons left for Fort Harri-
son-Terre Haute-in 1911. Gen. Har-
rison was then en- route to meet Te-
cumseh in battle The climax of this
move was Tippeeanoe. which shat
tered the great Tecumseh conspiracy.
The organization Of illinois and Michi-
gan reduced Indiana Territory to its
present limits and the Harrisons went
to Corrydon, then made the seat of
government There are very few of the
old Harrison relics left. Probably the
most notable is his dress sword. which
is in the "Old Curiosity Shop in Terre
Haute.