The sun found a space in the clouds over downtown Indianapolis on the afternoon of February 11, 1861. Only two months before the attack on Fort Sumpter, the city’s mood was charged with gray speculation. It had been a fairly dry month, but there was enough melting

snow the previous day to muddy the ditches lining the railroad tracks. President-elect Lincoln’s train had stopped several times as it came south from Lafayette with the Indiana Welcoming Committee on board. The people of the capital city had been preparing for a

fortnight, and 28-year-old Benjamin Harrison, newly elected as court reporter, was on the arrangement committee.

Bunting was drawn across Indianapolis and the railroad companies had issued discount tickets for Hoosiers from remote towns who wanted to see the man who’d become a lightning rod for the nation’s confusion. Republicans and Democrats were at each other’s throats, each blaming the other for the imminent downfall of the Union. According to Sievers, author of Hoosier Warrior, the Railsplitter left it to local Republican office seekers to speak frankly about human bondage, to which Harrison referred in 1860 when he campaigned against “the insidious inroads of the slavery power.” Some reports estimated 50,000 people occupied the city during Lincoln’s brief visit. The National Republican newspaper (Feb 13, 1861) described the scene. At 5:00pm, 34 guns were fired to announce his arrival. His company unloaded at the rail crossing of Missouri and Washington Streets to the straining cheer of thousands of onlookers. Near the back platform, newly-elected Republican Governor Morton and Mayor Maxwell escorted the President-elect to a barouche pulled by four white horses. After a brief welcome from Morton, Lincoln was joined by Reception Committee Chairman George Steele, and the featured

party’s carriage was led forward in a parade of Indiana politicians, judges, military units, and officials, including Harrison. Lincoln stood for the entire trip and waved in response to the wall of sound bounding off the buildings. The parade route was directed east to Washington, north on Pennsylvania, west on Ohio, and south on Illinois. The journey ended at the Bates House hotel, which was reserved for the visitors (photo). It occupied the present location

of the Embassy Suites near the Arts Garden at the NW corner of Illinois and Washington (Also once the site of Claypool Court).

Before dinner, Lincoln spoke to a Washington Street crowd of 2,000 from the hotel balcony. This was the first time Harrison had a good look at the new president. He remembered, “….it seemed to me hardly to be a glad crowd, and he not to be a glad man. There was no sense of culpability either in their

hearts or in his; no faltering; no disposition to turn back, but the hour was shadowed with forebodings.” Harrison also recalled that the time was so perilous, and Lincoln so unknown and odd, that the great orator seemed to bear the weight of uncertainty on his back. (Continued on page 5)

The Benjamin Harrison

Presidential Site

1230 N. Delaware St.Indianapolis, IN

46202317.631.1888

Our mission is to increase public

understanding of, appreciation for, and participation in the American system of self-

government through the life stories, arts and culture of an

American President.

There are obligations in life, and there are times when we are faced with difficult decisions. What differentiates each of us, and diminishes some while elevating others, are the choices we make.

As a promising young lawyer, Benjamin Harrison made a selfless choice when confronted with such a challenge. It was in July of 1862 in Governor Oliver Morton's office. Indiana, a northern state in the Civil War’s great struggle, was in dire need of help to meet President Lincoln’s ambitious goal of 300,000 new troops. Morton had issued a special proclamation:

“I therefore call upon every man, whatever be his rank and condition in life, to put aside his business and come to the rescue of his country.” (Sievers, pg. 178).

The response had been dismal, so when Morton invited Harrison into his office for a private conference it was unsurprising that their conversation turned to the war effort. What was surprising was Harrison’s response to Morton: "If I can be of any service, I will go."

And he did go, personally raising a regiment and heroically leading it in battle, quickly rising from second lieutenant to Brigadier General in the course of a few short years. This is the stuff that leadership and legend is made of—an individual making a difficult choice in spite of personal cost, in spite of any perceived gain or reward, in spite of prevailing opinion or perceived difficulties.

At the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, we are proud to carry on this bold

legacy of civic duty and pride. In ways large and small, I see it every day in the dedication of our board and volunteers,

in the persistence of our staff, in the kindness and generosity of our

supporters. We all recognize why this place—and what it stands for—is so worth saving and sharing.

As we look ahead to the new year before us, we will be faced with many opportunities, challenges—and choices. But I know we’ve got the right team in place, and we’re ready to go!

“If I can be of any service, I will go”

Charles A. Hyde, President & CEO

For the Harrison White House Easter Egg Roll in 1889, the children gathered on the South Lawn as the U.S. Marine Band played.

Photos courtesy of Jason Lavengood

Have you ever wanted to meet Abraham Lincoln in person? This is your chance—or at least as close as you’ll ever be able to in this life!Join us and one of the nation’s foremost Lincoln reenactors, Fritz Klein, as we celebrate the grand opening of Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War. Klein bears an uncanny resemblance to Lincoln and is recognized for his ability to bring his words and deeds vividly alive. Based out of Springfield, Illinois, Klein has been a professional actor and speaker for many years and has performed as Lincoln in 38 states and internationally.Admission is free but space is limited. Guarantee your spot by calling 317.631.1888 or online at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org.

(Continued from page 1)Fatout’s account in his article “Mr. Lincoln Goes to Washington” offers many well-researched details about Lincoln’s visit. In the form of questions, Lincoln’s speech hit on two sensitive points in the political jargon of the day. He asked the audience to think about the meaning of the words “coercion” and “invasion.” The gist of his message can be reduced to this question: Can a country invade itself and keep its own property? Lincoln was clearly taking the side of national security over state’s rights, but was still not offering a clue about what he intended to do in office. By all accounts, the Bates House was ill-prepared to control the mass of humanity or protect the special guests. Only five reservations were allotted to the presidential entourage, so that they had to sleep three or four to a room. The dining area was so overrun that Lincoln waited a half-hour to be served. The mob tended to run the show for the full 18-hour visit. Some were office seekers, but most were gawkers. Lincoln gave speech after speech, and was otherwise occupied by shaking hands continuously. An evening theatre visit was cancelled because it was impossible for his party to leave the hotel. The following morning, Lincoln managed to escape “a horde of hand shakers” to have breakfast at the governor’s mansion but passed on a scheduled visit to the state house. In light of the mob and train schedule, it was a good decision. With delegates from Ohio waiting to escort him on his way to Cincinnati, the president-elect gave a final speech from his balcony, struggled through the swarming crowd, and boarded his carriage which took him south on Meridian Street to the train station. This ride was jostled and stopped many times by people in the road vying for a handshake, a word, or a glimpse. Somehow, Lincoln’s group made it to the platform. Their departing locomotive, the “Samuel Wiggins,” was decked in flags and a golden eagle, with 34 stars painted around the smoke stack. After a final farewell, the train headed southeast, its final Indiana stop being Lawrenceburg as it crossed the Ohio border into history. Although Harrison would write letters of recommendation to Lincoln, serve in his Union Army, and receive his signature on his general’s commission, he would never again see the great commander-in-chief. Even when the funeral train stopped in Indianapolis on its sad trip to Springfield, General Harrison was still away, completing his military service. But he was on the path to leave his own mark on both the presidency and the battle for equality, with Lincoln’s example as his great inspiration. --- David PleissSources:

Sievers, Harry. Hoosier Warrior. Norwalk: Easton Press, 1952. Print.Fatout, Paul. “Mr. Lincoln Goes to Washington.” Indiana Magazine of History. December 1951: pgs 321-333. Web version.National Republican newspaper, Feb 13, 1861, Washington, DC

Candlelight Theatre at the Presidential Site returns in April with a trio of stunning performances in “Good Night Caroline.” In this trilogy of one-act plays, we see peaceful nights transformed into evenings that are chaotic, comedic and all-together ridiculous.

First, Night Nurse, Madeline, adapted by James Trofatter, will be performed in the back parlor. Wilfred Hornberry’s physician has prescribed rest and quiet. Unfortunately, his private duty nurse, Madeline, doesn’t understand those concepts. Will Wilfred be able to maintain his sanity before Nurse Madeline drives him to homicide?

Next, the dining room sets the stage for Suppressed Desires, Susan Glaspell’s amusing work about misapplied psychology. Henrietta Brewster’s obsession with psychoanalysis leads to a completely off-the-wall dream interpretation. Will this destroy her marriage? Will her younger cousin run off with the dentist? Or will all be saved before the absurdity of the situation is realized?

Finally, Good-Night, Caroline, by Conrad Seiler, will be played in the master bedroom. All Alfred wants is a good night’s sleep. But at 2am, his wife, Caroline, would rather argue. When Alfred gets out of bed to check into a noise, Caroline finds an ally in a burglar who has entered their home. Her new mission becomes reforming the thief, while getting even with her husband! Tickets are on sale now at PresidentBenjaminHarrison.org or by calling 317.631.1888. Performances will sell out. With support from:

$10,000 +Arthur Jordan FoundationBall Brothers Foundation

Centaur Gaming Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesNicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation

Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable TrustYelp

$5,000 +Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Arts Council of IndianapolisThe Lacy Foundation

Indiana Arts Commission

$2,500 +Christel DeHaan Family Foundation

Indiana Energy AssociationREI Real Estate InvestmentsSease, Gerig & Associates

Sun King Brewery

Photo courtesy of Ryan Wing

$1,000 +Arbutus Garden Club

BMO Private BankBarnes & Thornburg LLPGeorge Thomas Florist

Indianapolis Garden ClubR.B. Annis Educational Foundation

Visit IndyWFYI

$500 +Gregory & Appel Insurance

Indy Reads BooksThe National Bank of Indianapolis

Peine EngineeringRATIO Architects

Small BoxTCU

The University Club of Indianapolis

$250 +M.S.D Washington Township

Marion County Master GardenersStevens and Stevens, LLC

In-Kind PartnersA Classic Rental

Blue Bell Ice CreamThe Columbia Club

The Empty VaseFoundry Provisions

HONEST teaImage Builders / Rowland Printing

Indiana PacersIndy Hub

Just Pop InKnights of Columbus

Monarch Beverage CompanyNew Day MeaderyRettig Hill Winery

Zender Family Limited PartnershipZink Distributing Company

VOLUNTEER PETE ORN