The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-14

General Harrison Ranked Among the
Greatest in the Land.

AS a lawyer General Harrison ranked
second to no other member of the bar
in the country. He was not a specialist
in practice. A brilliant advocate, he was
no less a profound counselor. He was
capable Of making an address to a Jury
that would way the body by it's eloquence,
beauty and feeling. With equal force and
convincing power he could address the
highest and most august tribunal Of the
Nation. the Supreme Court of the United
States, upon the most intricate question
of constitutional Interpretation or statu-
tory construction. His advice as an office
counselor was in the greatest demand and
brought the highest compensation.
The foundation for General Harrison's
brilliant career as a lawyer was laid dur
ing the two years he spent as a stu
dent and clerk in the office Of the notable
law firm of Storer & Gwynne, in Cincin-
natl. in 1852 and 1853. Few lawyers have
been more honored in Western legal cir
cles than Bellamy Storer, the senior men,
Der of the firm. Doubtless from contact
with this really noble man young Harri-
son absorbed, at least. strength for certain
other characteristics that afterwards
helped materially to constitute him the
conspicuous figure he was in military and
civil life. 1t is said of Bellamy Storer
that his name was a synonym for honor.
ability and genuine patriotism; that his
life was a succession of good deeds. and
that as a Judge the ernline he wore on the
bench was even whittier when put off than
when he put 1T on. Socially, Judge Storer
the young student in his office has since
so thoroughly demonstrated himself to
have been.
COMING TO THIS CITY.
Coming to this city in March, 1854. with
an inheritance of $500 as his sole reliance
on which to build his fortune, young Har-
rison secured office space in the State Bank
building, on the triangular corner oppo-
site the Bates House, through the kindness
of John H.. Rhea, who was then clerk of
the United States District Court. Young
Harrison and his wife boarded in the Roll
house. on the corner Of Maryland street.
a square below the bank building. About
this time, through the kindness of United
States Marshal John l.. Robinson and his
| deputy. George McOuat. the young attor-
ney was given a boost by being appoint
ed court crier. at a salary of $3.50 per
day.
Mr.. Harrison's first case was a prosecu-
ton for burglary. He had attracted the
favorable notice of Major Jonathan w
| Gordon, then prosecuting attorney of Mar
ion county, who engaged him to assist in
the prosecution of the case. which was
known as the Point Lookout burglary.
Young Harrison made copious notes of the
trial. but when his turn 10 address the
Jury came the hour was in the evening
and the sheriff had provided only one cam
die for the desk at which the young law
Yer stood. Finding he could not decipher
his notes by the miserable light. Harrison
threw them aside with sudden Determines
ton. and 10 his own amazement. found
that he could recall the evidence with per
feet clearness without the aid of manu-
script. His speech attracted great atten-
ton among the attorneys. court attaches.
jurymen and spectators that listened TO IL
and the prediction was freely made that
he would "score a heavy mark" In the
world yet
William Wallace. with whom young Har-
rison was associated in the practice of
law during 1860 and 1861. said OF him: He
soon disclosed his admirable qualities as a
| lawyer-luick of apprehension. clear. meth
! odical and logical in his analysis and state
| ment OF a case. He possessed a natural
| faculty for getting the exact truth out of a
| witness. either by a direct or cross-examin-
' alton" This characterization OF General