Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-03-22

Indianapolis. Here John ReA, then clerk
OF the United States court. gave him
deskroom. It was here that Gen. Lew
Wallace, always afterwards one OF his
closest friends. met him.
In 1854, q son. Russell. was born. ana
the little household moved into homo
OF its own. 1t was a modest house. one
story In height, with three rooms and q
lean-to kitchen. At times Mrs. Harrison
had servant, but she usually acted as
her own cook and nurse. while her hus-
band performed such duties as filing the
water buckets and carrying In the wood
every morning before going to his Office.
In 1853 the family was increased by the
birth Of q daughter, Mary.
Enters Political Field.
Mr.. Harrison was elected recorder Of
the supreme court in $780, and reelected
to water. and became known as one of
the most vigorous stump speakers OF the
middle west. It 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 10000 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 regiment. Har-
rison then left the courthouse and. with
out going home. bought a military cap,
engaged a f1fer and drummer. flung out
flag from his Office window. and declared
opened recruiting station for volunteers.
There was a rush OF recruits for COM
pany A and then the ranks of the regf-
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-
manned 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 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 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
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 successor
to Harrison selected. Having been re-
nominated in 1864. after the fall of At
lanta, he took 30-day leave OF absence,
made a brief but vigorous campaign, and
was reelected by a 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
ing man among the republican leaders
Of the state. He took active part in
the campaign Of 1880. The republicans
secured a majority in the state legisla-
a candidate for United States senator.
In the caucus the names OF all other
aspirants were 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 1888.
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.
Us; Walter Q. Gresham, Ill: Chauncey
M. Depew. SO; Russell A. Alser. "a: Ben
jamia Harrison, SO. On the eighth and
final ballot Sherman received lis; Alger.
100; Harrison, 544; Gresham. So; Blaine,
5: and William Mckinley, 4. The NOM
nation was made unanimous, and in No
Ven1hHr he elected. receiving Or votes
in the electoral college to 163 cast for
Grover Cleveland. He was inaugurated on
March 4. 1889, in the midst of driving
rainstorm, and the next day cent to the
senate the following nominations for cab
met officers: Secretary OF state, James
G. Blaine, of Maine; secretary of the
treasury, William Window, of Minneso-
TIA: secretary Of war. Redfield Proctor. OF
Vermont: secretary of the navy, Benja-
min F. Tracy, of New York; attorney gem
eral. William H. H. Miller, OF Indiana;
postmaster general. John Wanamaker,
of Pennsylvania: secretary of the in
terror, John w. Noble, Of Missouri; Sec
rotary OF agriculture, jeremiah M Rusk.
Of Wisconsin. The senate went into ex-
ecutive session and within ten minutes
confirmed all the nominations.
Defeated for Second Term.
On June 10, 1892, President Harrison was
renominated for the presidency at the
republican rational convention at Mime
apolis. But ballot was necessary,
he receiving 535H votes; Blaine, 18e Is:
Mckinley, 1S2; A1ger, 4: Reid. 1: Lincoln.
1. It was asserted by the few who OPP
posed him that the reconciliation was
brought about by the predominating be-
lief among conservative republicans that
both justice and policy demanded the
presentation Of his name. He was de-
feated by Grover Cleveland the latter re-
ceiving 277 votes in the electoral college
to las for Harrison.
Mrs. Harrison died In the white house
In 1892. OF the two children by this
u
known. He served in the volunteer army
during the recent war with Spain. The
daughter became Mrs. Mckee, the mother
Of BABY Mckee. For two years after