The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-04-14
.ISHAM C. HARRIS
FLIGHT TO MEXICO
MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED TO
STATES WAR GOVERNOR
Interesting Incidents Of Senator
Harris Escape Into Mexico and
His Trip Through Texas-COIonel
Lyon, of Kentucky, and the Sena-
tor Almost Fall Out About the
Texas Sand Hill Crane.

Lyon, of Kentucky, and the Sena
tor Almost Fall Out About tn
Texas Sand Hill Crane.
The movement fathered by Re
publican member of the Legislature
to erect a monument over the un
marked grave of Senator Isham G
Harris shows that we have Travelled
some since a Republican administra
ton offered a reward for his capture
This desire Of the Republicans FOL
Gov. Harris scalp is what induced
him to take a little journey init
Mexico, the length Of his stay to de-
pend upon future events in this
country.
Senator Harris died in 1897. Some
time before his death one of the
Memphis papers printed a story Of
the senator's flight, and on its face
the story appears to have been writ
ten on information furnished by the
senator. The generation Of voters
that has come since Senator Har-
ris' death, "a years ago, will FIND
this account as interesting as others
found it when first printed.
ION the surrender Of Gen. Lee
Harris, unaccompanied except by his
body servant, made his way to the
Mississippi river, where he was Joined
by Gen. Lyon, of Kentucky, a Con-
federate officer of note, graduate
Of West Point, also accompanied by
his body servant, The party provid-
ed themselves with skiff made to
order and large enough to accommo-
date four men, together with their
saddles and a limited supply of
camp equipment, rations, etc. The
Mississippi at this time was swollen
out of the banks and covered terri
tory possibly 40 miles in width. To
cross this vast lake in a row boat
presented difficulties that would
have discouraged men less courag-
eous than the war governor Of Ten
nessee and his associate, Gen. Lyon.
The trip required two or three days
Of extremely hard work, most Of
which was performed by the negro
men.
ION the way across the party were
startled by the cry Of human voice
coming from a distant clump Of
trees. Rowing to the trees, they
found man a prisoner on a log pro-
truding from the water. When they
got him into the boat he told them
that he had been deposited there by
party of soldiers, who were making
their way to the Arkansas side, but
for what reason the governor, in re-
lating the story, did not say. The
young man they rescued was glad to
work his passage to the Western
bank.
"Gov. Harris had provided himself
with limited amount Of gold to de-
fray the expenses of the trip to
Mexico, and after reaching the
Arkansas side they had no difficulty
in getting horses, pack mules and
supplies. The governor had a ranch
in Red River county, Texas, to which
he had shipped his slaves and farm
implements during the war. This
was their first stopping place and
here they rested for several days.
"The news of the Confederacy's
downfall had not reached this section
of Texas and the residents heard
Harris announcement with grave
doubt and misgiving. One man
backed up his confidence in the Con-
federacy and his distrust of Harris
statement by offering to buy all the
negroes at $500 each.
"No," said the governor, q will
not sell my negroes for any price;
they have been with me long time
and / don't propose to part with them
now, but if you want to purchase
negroes on that proposition | think
/ can find you man in the neigh
borhood who will accommodate you.
Meet me here tomorrow morning and
! am quite sure trade can be eff
fected."
Accordingly, on the following morn
ing a meeting was held, at which a
trade was contaminated, by which
the enthusiastic Southerner acquired
possession of about 80 negroes at
$500 per head, at time when the
Confederacy was in absolute ruin"
From Red River county, Texas,
the little party of refugees started
overland on their long journey to
Mexico. Gov. Harris was well sup
piled with commissaries; the party
carried guns and ammunition with
which to replenish their larder from
the rich store Of game met with
across the prairie. The trip was
made by easy stages, marching in
the morning and afternoon and lay
ing BY at the midday hour for rest.
The body servants were entrusted
with the duty Of killing game when
it was necessary for the use Of the
party.
can amusing incident occurred one
day, which Senator Harris often re-
lated with evident enjoyment. Har-
ris' man, while out hunting during
the noon hour, shot pair of sand
hill cranes. They were beautiful
birds to look at, and Sambo had a
fancy that they might be delicious
rarity for his masters table. 'Massa
Harris said he, T'se killed desc
birds down at de creek, an / thought
I'd bring dem up an prepare dem
fob dinnah' Why, Sambo,' remark
ed the governor, those birds are not
fit to eat; those are sand hill cranes;
they are not work cooking At this !
point Gen. Lyon spoke up and said:
Governor, beg leave to take issue
with you. These birds, when prop
arly cooked, are first-rate eating.
Sambo, you cook these cranes; l win
guarantee that they viii be properly |