The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-26
HE SANG FOR TIPPECANOE.
The "Reminiscences Of Resident of
Kansas City, Mo.

|
The "reminiscences Of a Resident of
Kansas City, Mo
In a small store on West Eighth
street.-the number is 1,332-where he
sells apples, pears, candy, and tobacco,
can be found every day a man who was
an important factor in the Harrison
Van Buren, Presidential campaign Of
nearly sixty years ago. His name is III.
j. Ogden, and notwithstanding his so
years. his mind is as clear regarding
that memorable event as If it had BEEN
only a year For six months he was
''Old Tippecanoe's'' constant compani-
on. While the old man did the talking,
Ogden, the young, led in singing the
campaign songs that sang the log-cabin
hero in the Presidential chair.
A reporter for the Star found him in
his little store and asked him to tell
something about the 1910 fight. !.
He chuckled softly for a moment and
the nsaid: About Tippecanoe and Ty-
Ter, too? Certainly. Why, that was
race the like of which the country has
never known. 1t was one continual
round of song. But let me start with
the beginning.
II was a lad of twenty-one in those
days My home was what was known
as Clevetown, or just over the hills from
Gencral Harrisons home. My hair was
very black and curly. Whsn General
Harrison was nominated by the Wings,
the democrats, who had named Van
Buren,, set up great cry of derision.
They poked fun at the old man who had
lived in a log cabin and who drank
hard cider. With pride they pointed to
Van as an aristocrat, and made new
Jokes about our hard cider, log-cabin
man.
Our people," continued Mr.. Ogden,
saw the advantage in this kind of talk,
and acted upon it Immediately. They
decided upon hard cider, log cabin,
song canvas AT that time / had,a
strong-people said-beautiful baritone
voice General Harrison asked me to go
with him on the campaign and lead the
singing. ] went. 1t was six months
trip. We had no railroad cars, but had
to content ourselves with horses, wag-
ons, and boate AS I said. my hair was
black and curly. let it grow long to
give more Of the rural effect until l had
a mass of curls about as big as a half
bushel measure. I remember one meet
ing in particular on the old battle-ground
of Tippecanoe. After they were all fin
ally settled / walked to the center of the
platform"
The speaker was evidently living in
the past He arose from his chair in
which he was sitting and walked across
the little stores floor.
Running my fingers through my long
hair" he said, doing 1t, land without
waiting till they were absolutely quiet,
/ began to sing
"They say that he lives in cabin "
The old mans voice sounded through
the little room. He was singing. His
voice was strong, although its unsteadi-
ness showed the effect of hils eighty
years. He sang on:
'"And lives on hard cider too,
But what if he does. we're certain
He's the hero Of Tippecanoe.'
Now comes the chorus exclaimed
Ogden, excitedly:
"He's the hero of Tippecanoe,
He's the hero of Tippecanoe,
But what If he does we're certain
He's the hero Of Tippecanoe.'
There's a lot Of verses" said the old
Here's the last one, and,
ny, how they would 'jine' in on the cho-
u.s." The old man sang again:
land if you get anyways thirsty,
I'll tell you boys what we can do;
Well just roll in a bar'l of old hard |
cider
And drink to Old Tippecanoe.'
After the song General Harrison
would talk. After he had been speak, !
ng for about thirty minutes signal |
would be given from the outskirts Of the |
,rowd. The general would drop into
lis chair like one shot. 1t didn't make |
my difference whether he was in the
middle of sentence or word, he quit
hat was my cue, I'd jump up and point
way back yonder. The crowd would
ook, too, and see a lot of our fellows
oling a big ball about six feet tall.
hen I'd begin to sing. Here's the
une," and the old man sang;
"'Oh, what has caused this commo-
ton, motion.
Our country through?
Why, it's that ball that's rolling on
For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too;
For Tippecanoe and Tyler too;
And with 'em we'll beat little Van
Van
Van, you're a usedup man.
1--WE generally ended our meeting with
his and everybody Joined in,' said Mr..
ogden, as he sang once more:
"'Oh, where, tell us where, was your
log cabin built? !