The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-17
HARRISON AND COMPANY A.
Former President Was n Member of n
Kansas City Command.

Kansas City Journal.
1t is of local interest that the late Ben
Jamin Harrison was an honorary member
of Veteran Company A. Missouri National
Guard. His letter of acceptance of mem
bership is framed and hangs on the wall
of the company headquarters, now with
added honor. Captain Taylor has ordered
it draped and will publish a special order
announcing the death of the distinguishes
member of the organization. Last night. in
behalf OF the veterans. Captain Taylor sent
the following telegram to Mrs. Harrison:
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, indianapolis,
Ind.
Members of Veteran Company A. Mis-
souri, National Guard, of which organiza-
ton your illustrious late husband became
an honorary member during his presidency,
most tenderly condole with you in this
dreadful bereavement.
HENRY ]. TAYLOR,
Captain Commanding"
While on his way home from the National
Encampment of the Grand Aarmy, which
that year had been held at Columbus, o..
Company \ stopped over at Indianapolis
to congratulate General Harrison upon his
nomination TO the presidency of the United
States. Mr.. Harrison received the old sol
diers with q great show of pleasure. Com
pany A is the only body of veterans of the
civil war now bearing arms and regularly
i'm service. Struck with the idea, Mr.. Har-
rison expressed a wish to belong TO it.
when you are elected President, Mr..
Harrison vouchsafed the company com
mander. I'VE will elect you an honorary
member and will be proud to have your
name on our roster" This reference to his
ultimate election to the highest position In
the land pleased Mr.. Harrison and seem
ingly he was none the less pleased when
I'm the course of time he received a men,
bership certificate from the company head
quarters. for he indited a most cordial let
ter of acceptance. That is the letter which
now. as ever since its receipt, has held a
place of honor on the walls of the COM
pany's headquarters and because of which
membership Captain Taylor sent his tele-
gram.
The President once marched with the
veterans, or laughingly said he hoped his
riding in a carriage with them would be
construed as. following the orders of his
superior commander" This was on the
occasion of his visit TO Kansas City during
his incumbency as President of the United
States. Mr.. Harrison was swinging around
the circle and came in from Denver. He
spent the night in Kansas City. stopping at
the Coates House and holding a public re-
ception during the evening at the Elk
change building. General Tracy and other
members of. his Cabinet accompanied him
and the visit. as might be supposed. was
fraught with intense interest. Indicative Of
his quiet. retiring disposition, IL is interest
ing 10 recall the alarm he aroused in the
breasts OF members Of the reception con-
mittee because of q fear that he had been
lost. stolen or strayed.
The visitors were given a reception by
the officials OF the municipal and county
government of the Commercial Club and
other public bodies, at the rooms of the
Commercial Club. in the evening at 5
q CLOCK. All HublC demonstrations ndU
been abandoned since the hour of 6 10 give
the President an opportunity TO rest. If not
TO obtain refreshment. Eight o'clock found
the clubro0ms thronged, but no President.
Half an hour later inquiries began to run
and a messenger was sent to the hotel TO
learn when the President might be expect
ed. At the hotel the information was
cleaned that President Harrison had left
the place two hours before without saving
what his destination might be. That report
was carried to the Commercial Club recep-
ton committee and the police were notified.
No one believed anything was wrong. yet
everyone who learned OF the Presidents long
absence from the watchful care of a COM
mittee was anxious. IL was past Q before
any news of the distinguished travellers
whereabouts could be discovered, and then
only as he edged his way. by the aid of a
policeman. through the crowd and up to the
door of the clubrooms.
He had quietly. like a private citizen.
made the best of his way entirely alone TO
the home OF fhis brother. j.. Scott Harrison,
and shared the family meal. Not even the
neighbors OF the Harrison house knew they
had the President of the United States near
them. and those who spoke 10 him were
none the wiser.