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

and then claiming the distinction OF
being the most pretentious building
west of the present state of Ohio,
centers most of the territorial history
of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wis
consin, when all of that great area was
included in what is known as I'm
diana Territory" and presided over
by Governor Harrison. For several
years it was not only the official resi-
dence and building of the territory, but
the ammunition storehouse as well. 1t
was in this house that the territorial
representatives met. Here were enter
tanned Thomas Jefferson, Commodore
Perry and other illustrious lights of
American history. In the northwest
room John Scott Harrison, father of
ex-President Benjamin Harrison, was
born, and in shutter in this room is
one of the most interesting little
"keep-sakes." 1t is hole made by
bullet fired at William Henry by hos
tile Indian that night while he was
pacing the floor with the newborn.
1t was to this house that Tecumseh
and his warriors came and, under an
elm tree, 800 yards from this house,
occurred that great conference be-
tween Tecumseh and Harrison, which
is a part of American history. Almost
every brick and every timber is his
torical to some degree.
In 1901, when William Henry Harri-
son went 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
Tecumseh brought about, and which
closed with the battle of Tippecanoe.
1t was erected to meet all of these re-
quirements. Though it has stood for
almost century, it is probably the
most substantial building in Vincennes
today. 1t is by no means ante
dated in architecture. Harrison spared
no money to attain the ends which
time has proven were successful
Every bit of the material entering into
the construction was made or finished
by hand. The brick were made one at
a time by that method, and even the
laths were turned out that way. The
rafters are of walnut, and the, finish
ing is in the finest black walnut that
could be found in the virgin forests of
Indiana. The sashes, doors, shades,
castings. wainscoting and finishing in
this highly polished wood looks as
bright today as when it was put in
place, and it is just as substantial The
work was done by the best workmen
he could bring in from the East. There
are big, old-fashioned fireplaces in
every room, even those in the cellar.
In some the old cranes have been pre-
served. The building was made fire.
proof as near as possible by packing
clay between the ceilings and the floors
and between the walls.
William Henry Harrison had twelve
children, and he had many subjects
who were little more than slaves. He
quartered the family, for the most part.
on the top floor, though all of the
cooking was done in the cellar, and the
family dining room was there. The
cellar was principally used, however,
as a territorial warehouse. One room
was a great powder magazine. and in
1t for several years were stored all OF
the territorial powder, bullets and flint
lock and smooth-bore rifles and other
weapons of defense. In another sec
ticn of the cellar was the cell room, in
which the prisoners of state, slaves and
Indians were incarcerated. The sock
cts for the iron bars still remain, but
the bars have disappeared. Another
room was his wine cellar The Harri-
sons were good livers and were sur
rounded by French settlers who were
experts at wine-making. From an
other room there was a mysterious
tunnel. which ran to the river bluffs.
some distance away. 1t was provided
as an avenue of escape in case the In
dians made a successful attack and
scaled the palisades which surrounded
the property.
On the first floor was the old council
chamber. a remarkable room. 25x30
feet in dimensions. with a thirteen
foot ceiling. The original small win