Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1901-03-20

story in height, with three rooms and a
lean-to kitchen. At times Mrs. Harrison
had a servant. but she usually acted as
her own cook and nurse, while her Fus-
band performed such duties as filling the
water buckets and carrying in the wood
every morning before going to his office.
In 1858 the family was Increased by the
birth of a daughter. Mary.
Enters Political Field.
Mr.. Harrison was elected recorder of
the supreme court in 1862 and reelected
in 1864. He took to politics like a duck
to water, and became known as one of
the most vigorous stump speakers of the
middle west 1t was about this time that
he had his famous encounter with Hen
bricks at Rockville.
Volunteers for War.
In 1861 came President Lincoln's call
for troops. He had asked for 100000 men.
Gov. Morton, of Indiana, was having
trouble in supplying his quota of men.
Harrison called at the courthouse and
offered his services. Gov. Morton COM
missioned him to raise a regiment. Har-
rison then left the courthouse and, with
out going home, bought a military cap,
engaged a fifer and drummer, flung out a
flag from his Office window. and declared
opened a recruiting station for volunteers
There was rush of recruits for COM
pany A and then the ranks of the regi-
ment filled like magic. Within 80 days
after he had bought the military cap and
cooked 1t on his head Benjamin Harrison
was wearing the title of colonel. at the
head of full regiment of troops down at
Bowling Green, KY, assisting in repulsing
Gen. Kirby Smith and his troopers who
were threatening southern Indiana This
regiment was designated as the Seven
teenth Indiana. This organization re-
matned unchanged during the war, Har-
rison having command of the right wing,
as he held the older commission.
At Peach Tree creek he won promotion
for bravery, being made a brigadier gen.
eral upon recommendation of Gen Joe
Hooker. When Harrison had been two
years continuously in the field the war
department detailed him for special duty
in Indiana. In five weeks he had COM
pleted this special work. hurried back to
Chattanooga, and was given command
of a brigade and transferred to Nashville
After Sherman had reached Savannah
Harrison was ordered to join him, but
on his way he was stricken with scarlet
fever. He lay dangerously i'll for weeks,
finally rejoining Sherman at Goldsboro,
n. c., where he again held command of a
brigade and remained until the end of the
war.
Elected Reporter of Supreme Court.
After leaving Indiana with his regiment
the post of reporter of the supreme court
had been declared vacant and a successor
to Harrison selected. Having been re-
nominated in 1864. after the fall of At
lanta, he took 30-day leave of absence
made brief but vigorous campaign, and
was reelected by q sweeping majority
-Four years later he declined denomination
and resumed the practice of law. He
became a member Of the firm of Porter
Harrison & Fishback.
Defeated for Governor.
In 1876 Gen. Harrison became a candi-
date for governor: He was placed on the
ticket during his absence from the state
by the state central committee to fill
the vacancy created by the death of the
regular nominee. The nomination was
not desired nor sought, and accepted
merely as the sense of duty He threw
himself into the campaign with his ac-
customed vigor. Though defeated, he
became, however recognized as the COM
ing man among the republican leaders
of the state. He took an active part in
the campaign of $780, The republicans
secured a majority in the state legisla-
ture, and he was at once brought out as
a candidate for United States senator
In the caucus the names of all other
aspirantS We're withdrawn, and he was
the unanimous choice.
Declines Cabinet Position.
In 1880, as chairman of the Indiana del
egation to the republican national con-
vention, he cast the entire vote of the
state for James A. Garfield for president.
president Garfield offered him a place in
his cabinent, but he declined.
Elected President in 1SSS.
In 1883. when the national convention
was held In Chicago, he was nominated
for the presidency. On the first ballot IA
candidates were voted for. John Sherman
received the highest number of votes
70; Walter Q. Gresham, Ill; Chauncey
Al. Depew SO; Russell A. Alger, "a; Ben
Jam1n Harrison, SO. On the eighth and
1nai ballot Sherman received us; Alger
100; Harrison, 544 Gresham, SO; Blaine
.; and William Mckinley, 4. The nom
lhation was made unanimous, and in No
venber he was elected. receiving 233 votes
IN the electoral college to 1853 cast for
Grover Cleveland. He was inaugurated on
March 4, 1899, in the midst of driving
rainstorm, and the next day eent to the
senate the following nominations for cab
met officers: Secretary of state, James
". Blaine, of Maine; secretary Of the
treasury, William Window, of Minneso-
Ia secretary of war, Redfield Proctor. Of
vermont: secretary of the navy, Benja-
min +. Tracy, of New York; attorney gen.
eral, William H. H. Miller, of Indiana;
postmaster general, John Wanamaker.
of Pennsylvania; secretary of the in
terror. John w. Noble, of Missouri; sec
retary OF agriculture, jeremiah NJ. Rusk,
oI wisconsin. The senate went into ex-
ecutiVe session and within ten minutes
cohnrmed all the nominations.
Defeated for Second Term.
on June TO- 1892, President Harrison was
renominated for the presidency at the
republican national convention at Mime
dpois- But one ballot was necessary
ne TeceiVlng 5S5h votes; Blaine 1872 1-6:
Mcklnley, lS2; Alger. 4: Reid, 1; Lincoln.
l. II was asserted by the few who op-
poseo MIN that the denomination was
brought about by the predominating be-
iet among conservative republicans that
ooth Justice and policy demanded the
presentation of his name He was de-
Ieateo by Grover Cleveland the latter re-
celVlng "a votes in the electoral college
to las for Harrison.
Mrs. Harrison died In the white housa
In 1892 OF the two children bv This
union Russell B. Harrison is widelv
kno"n- He served in the volunteer armv
curing the recent war with Spain. The
ua became Mrs. Mckee, the mother
Oh BABY Mckee. For two years affer
he left the white house he was somawbat
out OF the public eye. The death of his
nrst wife had saddened him. end manT
believed the general would remain silent
from that time on as far as politice uas
concerned was
After Gen. Harrison was marr;ed 70
mrs. Mary Dimmick, the niece Of bts
first wife. in New York in 1896. he he.
came much more sociable and took a
keener relish in the social affairs Of IT,
dianapolis. His bride had been win ~.
nrst Mrs. Harrison at the white house
frequently. While not q beautiful wornan
she mad many personal charms ana ho.
been an excellent helpmeet to the general
In his old age. Within couple of yeare
after their marriage a Htt1e girl E,ljz-
abeth, came to bless their union. and the
general took q fonder interest in ths.
child than would young husband Of aI
Gen. Harrison has been a presiding elder
of the First Presbyterian church of In-
dianapolis. and always a fasthfuI at-
tendant at the Thursday nfobt ,,-.,-~-