USA > Indiana > Marshall County > Tippecanoe in Marshall County > The Tippecanoe battle-field monument; a history of the association formed to promote the enterprise, the action of Congress and the Indiana legislature, the work of the commission and the ceremonies at the dedication of the monument > Part 1
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mcandelstonument
நகர்ப்பூக்கள்க்கு சங்கம்
அவநீர் சுண்டிப்படக்குவை நீட்டிப்பு
ந் நீர்கற்றும்து ?பூதியக்கு பாக்குர்கள்!
ஓர் காப்தீற்கைடைஞ்சிழற்சி
مخملي
இர்ஸ் مجبريد
PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE & ALLEN CO., IND.
Smilk
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02521 3916
INL Gc 977.201 T48re Reser, Alva O., The Tippecanoe battle-field monument
THE TIPPECANOE BATTLE-FIELD MONUMENT
THE TIPPECANOE MONUMENT COMMISSION.
GOVERNOR J. FRANK HANLY.
ALBERT A. JONES.
WESLEY E. WELLS. JOB S. SIMS.
THE TIPPECANOE BATTLE FIELD MONUMENT
A HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION FORMED TO PROMOTE THE ENTERPRISE
THE ACTION OF CONGRESS AND THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION AND THE CEREMONIES AT THE DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT
COMPILED BY ALVA O. RESER
Printed by the State of Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS : WM. B. BURFORD, CONTRACTOR FOR STATE PRINTING AND BINDING
1909
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
REPORT OF COMMISSION TO GOVERNOR.
1
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., November 23, 1908.
To the HON. J. FRANK HANLY,
Governor of the State of Indiana:
Sir- The Indiana Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument Commis- sion begs to report that pursuant to an act of the General Assem- bly, authorizing the construction of the Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument, approved February 25, 1907, the undersigned Com- missioners appointed by you have carried out the provisions of said act.
Under the Federal act, authorizing the appointment of a com- mission and making an appropriation for the construction of the monument, it became necessary to draw the appropriation made by the State and turn it over to the Federal Government, to be ex- pended under the direction of the War Department, through the Federal commission.
The monument was completed and dedicated November 7, 1908. A detailed report, showing the proceedings of the Commission and an accurate account of all disbursements made, has been made to the Honorable Secretary of War, and the same is attached hereto and made a part of this report.
Respectfully submitted,
JOB S. SIMS. WESLEY E. WELLS. A. A. JONES.
(4 )
REPORT OF COMMISSION TO SECRETARY OF WAR.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., November 23, 1908.
To the HON. LUKE C. WRIGHT,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C .:
Sir-The Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument Commission here- with submits a detailed report of the expenditures and proceedings of the Commission in the erection of the Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument. Accompanying this is a history of the project, a number of addresses delivered upon the battle-field at various times, and the dedicatory exercises. The addresses are submitted because of their historic value.
Respectfully submitted,
J. FRANK HANLY, JOB S. SIMS, A. A. JONES, Commissioners.
150016
5-1-25 Smith
History of the Monument Project.
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought November 7, 1811. The importance of this battle was recognized by President Madison in a message to Congress, and by resolutions passed by the legisla- tures of Indiana Territory, and Kentucky and Illinois Territory. It was recognized in the early history of the State by the fact that, when new counties were organized, it became the unwritten law of those days that these new counties should be named after some hero of this battle.
The decade from 1830 to 1840 showed considerable activity with reference to the preservation of the battle-ground, and the erection of a monument thereon. This interest was largely aroused by Gen. John Tipton, Governor Noah Noble and Gen. William Henry Harrison. General Tipton, in 1829, rode on horseback from Logansport to Crawfordsville, bought the land on which the battle was fought, and, on November 7, 1836, he donated it to the State of Indiana. At each session of the legislature during the decade from 1830 to 1840 resolutions were offered (and sev- eral adopted) instructing the Governor to get a design for a monu- ment at the battle-field of Tippecanoe. Gen. William Henry Har- rison voiced this sentiment in 1835 in an address at the Tippecanoe battle-field, in which he said :
We should not be unmindful of our soldiers who fell on the field of Tippe- canoe, and whose exertions when living, and whose blood in death, made and cemented the foundations of our prosperity. The ridge upon which they lie should be consecrated as a national altar, for it has been saturated with the blood of heroes. The State should erect a monument on that battle-field. The necessity of enforcing principles of patriotism among our youth needs no vindication-and by what livlier emblem can they be taught than by planting upon our battle-fields the ever-living marble inscription, with the names of the valiant men who generously left their lives there? Teach the young men, from the examples of Daviess and Spencer and Warwick and White, and those who fell with them, to be ready, when the emergency arises, to die for their country.
Happy the youth who sinks to rest With all his country's honors blest.
(7)
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Report of Commission.
A few men generally go forward and accomplish public en- terprises. In the decade from 1830 to 1840 Gen. William Henry Harrison, Gen. John Tipton (then United States Senator from Indiana ), and Governor Noah Noble of Indiana, were active in promoting plans for a monument at Tippecanoe. This period in our history was only a quarter of a century from the battle. Most of the participants were yet living. Resolutions were passed by the Indiana legislature instructing the Governor to procure a suit- able design for a monument, and the faith of the State was pledged to erect it. However, the fates seemed to be against this measure at that time, for Governor Noah Noble went out of office in 1837, in feeble health, and died in 1844. General Harrison became en- grossed in a presidential campaign and then died in 1841, shortly after taking his office. Gen. John Tipton died in 1839. With the death of these three men the monument project seems to have been forgotten for over seventy years, except brief mention of it in the Constitutional Convention of 1850-51, and now and then some patriotic man championing the idea in Congress or the State legis- lature, or in the public press. However, nothing came of these efforts, and the project was forgotten and given up, until chance, as it seemed, revived the idea, and an organization was formed, which proved to be the active force in carrying forward the project to completion.
On Sunday, May 1, 1892, the different Grand Army posts of Lafayette, Indiana, were invited to the village of Battle Ground to attend a meeting of the local post there. Those in attendance were as follows :
Post 3, G. A. R .: Job S. Sims, A. S. McCormick, J. D. Wal- lace, E. G. Black, J. B. Shaw, A. B. Klepinger, G. W. Moore, D. C. Rankin, Joseph Kenwell, Samuel Parish, W. H. Young, and William P. Youkey.
Post 462, G. A. R .: Rollin Young, Absalom Riley, Allen Riley, George S. Gott, John Cassidy, D. G. Smith, Robert Mc- Conahay, Dr. William Dunbar, E. J. Kendall, Thomas Thorn, W. Cobb, John Henderson, and Thomas Owens.
Post 475, G. A. R .: A. S. Young, G. D. Chenoweth, Thomas Bryant, Thomas Pierce, Solomon Penrod.
This meeting of the Grand Army posts was turned into a camp- fire, and there were a number of patriotic speeches delivered. One of the speakers said: "We ought to get up a memorial society to take care of those graves there on the battle-field." Job S. Sims was the last speaker, and he suggested that there ought to be formed an association not only to take care of the graves on the
.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
battle-field, but to decorate the graves, and to take up the project of a monument in memory of the dead. Pursuant to that sugges- tion, a metting was held at the office of James B. Shaw, in the city of Lafayette, Saturday, May 7, 1892, at 2 o'clock, and the Tip- pecanoe Battle-field Monument Association was formed, with the following officers :
Job S. Sims, President.
J. W. Henderson, First Vice-President. Thomas Pierce, Second Vice-President.
J. B. Shaw, Secretary. George D. Chenoweth, Assistant Secretary.
W. P. Youkey, Treasurer.
These officers were re-elected each year for sixteen years, except in 1894, when Capt. J. B. Shaw was elected President, Job S. Sims being in California. Captain Shaw served as Secretary until 1904, when Alva O. Reser became Secretary and remained such until the Association had completed its work by having an appropriation made by Congress and by the State legislature of Indiana. Then the matter was taken up by the Tippecanoe Monument Commis- sion, appointed by the Secretary of War, by the Governor, and by the national act.
Each year public exercises have been held at the battle-field, patriotic addresses delivered and patriotic songs sungs. Those who assisted in the singing at these several yearly meetings were Lizzie Cissel, Ada Rush, Edna Sparks, G. E. Steen, Angie Stair, John R. Mahin, Fletcher Downs, Rossetta Smith, W. F. Smith, A. W. Smith, B. W. Bryan, Zula Cowgill, Lillie Downs, Alta Wells, W. W. Mershon, Martha Westfall, Ethel Streeter, Frank E. Ridgway, Cecil Ridgway, John S. Moore, Mabel Moore, James McLean, Jes- sie McLean, Eliza Hart, Mattie Cowger, F. L. Cowger, Eva Klep- inger, Mattie Murphy, Jessie Francis, Nellie Francis, June Wallis, Royal Hart, Ortie Hart, Earl Clark, Blanch Clark, Ora Downing, L. E. Cowgill, Ada Carleton, Gertrude Thomas, William Jackman, John Connelly, Alice Jones, Nannie Hodgin, Essie Beeker, Asa Waples, Pearl Hamilton, Cora Black and Mrs. Percy Moore.
The first public exercises were held Sunday morning, June 26, 1892. Addresses were made by Capt. A. A. Rice, the Hon. Wil- liam S. Haggard, the Rev. George S. Stansbury, and Capt. J. B. Shaw. In the afternoon of the same day Gen. M. D. Manson de- livered an address and remarks were made by S. Vater, Capt. J. B. Shaw and M. E. Clodfelter. General Manson was in feeble health and spoke only a few minutes.
10
Report of Commission.
CAPTAIN JAMES B. SHAW, SECRETARY.
3 1833 02521 3916
L
11
l'ippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
E. G. BLACK, TREASURER.
12
Report of Commission.
GENERAL M. D. MANSON.
13
Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
The Hon. M. E. Clodfelter, of Crawfordsville, with reference to this visit of General Manson's to the Tippecanoe Battle-field, says :
A few days prior to Sunday, June 26, 1892, I met General Manson, and talked with him concerning the meeting to be held at the battle-field on that datc. He discussed the project of erecting a monument on those grounds, and was enthusiastic in its support. He said it was his intention to be at the meet- ing, and that he would, if his health permitted, deliver a brief address. He stated that he regarded the meeting as a very important one in the history of the State, and he expressed the hope that it would be largely attended. I promised the General that I would so arrange my affairs as to be present. I did so. The General was at that time in feeble health, having been attacked with a slight stroke of paralysis, which, to some extent, affected his speech. The meeting was well attended, especially by the old soldiers. When called upon, the General, apparently, forgot his infirmities, and delivered an earnest, enthusiastic address, manifesting much of his accustomed vigor. In his pre- liminary remarks, he complimented the public spirit of the citizens of Lafayette and Tippecanoe County in pushing forward so noble a project, which the State should have inaugurated and completed years before. He said he felt that he stood on holy ground, and it looked like a long time that this country had neglected its mighty dead, and he was glad that it had entered into the hearts of some to tardily set on foot this movement to honor the memory of the heroes of Tippecanoe. After his preliminary remarks, he grew somewhat eloquent; spoke of the hazardous undertaking of Harrison's command; of the treacherous character of the foe he had to meet; of the many difficulties encountered in making forced marches through the wild tanglewood of the dense forests, with the thought of an ambush at any moment. This required men of determination and courage. Then the speaker turned for a moment to the actual battle, and gave a vivid description of the suddenness of the attack made by the Indians upon Harrison's army; that, while the attack was a surprise, there were no cowards found in the ranks of the surprised soldiers. Every officer and every soldier was at his post. The battle raged with great fury. The General here gave a vivid picture of the battle, naming many of the officers in charge, and their positions, commending the heroic bravery exhibited, under the most trying circumstances. He said that the tendency was to minimize the affair as but a skirmish, when in truth and in fact, it was one of the great battles of history, both in its severity and the results accomplished by the victory; that, in proportion to the number of men engaged, it was one of the bloody battles of our early history; that thirty- seven as brave American soldiers were killed, and one hundred and fifty more wounded, as ever took part in any battle in any country. The General made an appeal for the cause in substantially these words:
"Ladies and Gentlemen: These are holy grounds, consecrated by the blood of some of America's bravest sons. They suffered and died in defense of their country's cause. The peace and safety of the government demanded their services and their sacrifice, and they willingly responded, placing love of country above the love of even life itself. Such devotion to country, such self-sacrifice, such fearless courage, and such beneficent results as were sought and secured
[2]
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Report of Commission.
by this great frontier battle, demands more than a passing recognition. While it is true that these brave officers and men have erected a monument in the hearts of their countrymen more enduring than brass or marble, yet there should be a visible monument in commemoration of the place and in honor of the brave officers and men who won this substantial victory in behalf of civil government in the early history of our State. Such a monument would lend an inspiration to the young men of our State and nation throughout genera- tions yet to come."
This was probably the last important speech General Manson ever attempted to make. It is greatly to be regretted that a steno- graphic report of this speech was not made and preserved.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
CAPTAIN A. A. RICE.
16
Report of Commission.
ADDRESSES BEFORE ASSOCIATION.
Addresses were made from year to year before this association, as follows :
Sunday, June 24, 1894, Capt. A. A. Rice, W. V. Stoy and B. F. Magee.
Wednesday, June 19, 1895, the Hon. J. Frank Hanly and James L. Glasscock.
Thursday, June 25, 1896, Gen. R. P. DeHart and the Hon. George D. Parks.
Sunday, June 20, 1897, Gen. Lew Wallace and the Hon. Will R. Wood.
Sunday, June 19, 1898, the Rev. C. B. Wilcox and Gen. R. P. DeHart.
Sunday, June 18, 1899, Gen. R. P. DeHart.
Sunday, June 17, 1900, the Hon. Edgar D. Randolph and the Hon. Alva O. Reser.
Sunday, June 16, 1901, the Hon. E. D. Crumpacker and Gen. R. P. DeHart.
Sunday, June 15, 1902, the Hon. Henry W. Watterson.
Sunday, June 21, 1903, Gen. John C. Black.
Sunday, June 19, 1904, the Hon. Alva O. Reser.
Sunday, June 18, 1905, Gen. R. P. DeHart and the Hon. Alva O. Reser.
Sunday, June 17, 1906, George W. Switzer.
Such of the above addresses as it has been possible to obtain are given in this compilation, as they contain much valuable historical information which, in the opinion of the Commission, should be preserved.
It became the consensus of opinion among the members of the monument association that the Battle of Tippecanoe, being of a national character in its results, that the State and the Nation should equally share in the erection of a monument. A committee waited upon the Hon. Edgar D. Crumpacker, representing the Tenth Congressional District in Congress, and he pledged to the association that he would use his best endeavors to carry forward the project, which he did with admirable industry and signal abil- ity, aided by the other congressmen from the State of Indiana, and by Senators Beveridge and Hemenway, representing Indiana in the United States Senate. The bill was signed by President Theo-
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
dore Roosevelt, the President giving the pen with which he signed the bill to Mr. Crumpacker, who presented it to the Secretary of the Tippecanoe Monument Association. Senator Will R. Wood, an experienced legislator, and representing Tippecanoe County in the State Senate, agreed to push the matter through the legisla- ture. He introduced a bill in the State Senate, which passed that body without a dissenting vote, showing that Senator Wood car- ried out his trust with conspicuous ability and absolute fidelity. Senator Wood's efforts in the State Senate were supplemented in the House by the Hon. Thomas N. Andrew and the Hon. J. F. Simison, representing Tippecanoe County in the House of Repre- sentatives of the Indiana Legislature, which it passed with only a few votes against it. When the bill had passed the legislature it was promptly signed by Governor J. Frank Hanly. The national act carried with it an appropriation of $12,500, and the State act an appropriation of $12,500, making a total appropriation of $25,000.
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Report of Commission.
HISTORY OF THE TIPPECANOE MONUMENT BILL IN CONGRESS.
S. 8012. To erect a monument on the Tippecanoe battle- ground in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, was introduced in the 59th Congress, 2d session, by Mr. Beveridge. Introduced in the Senate Jan. 22, 1907, referred to the Committee on the Library. Re- ported back, without amendment, and report thereon submitted (S. report No. 6474) Feb. 8, 1907. Debated and passed the Sen- ate, Feb. 11, 1907. Referred to the House Committee on the Library, Feb. 11, 1907. Committee discharged, bill debated and passed the House, March 3, 1907. Signed by the Speaker and Vice-President, March 4, 1907. Approved and signed by Presi- dent, March 4, 1907.
AN ACT to erect a monument on the Tippecanoe battle-ground in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appro- priated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended with the sum hereinafter named, under the direction of the Secretary of War, in procuring and erecting a monument upon Tippecanoe battle-ground in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in honor of Gen. William Henry Harrison and the soldiers who composed the American army in the battle of Tippecanoe on the seventh day of November, eighteen hundred and eleven: Provided, That this appropriation is made upon the condition that the State of Indiana shall provide a like sum, to be expended for said purpose under the direction of the Secretary of War, in connection with the sum herein appropriated; and no part of the sum herein appropriated shall be available until said sum to be provided by the State of Indiana shall have been placed at the disposal of the Secretary of War.
SEC. 2. That the Secretary of War shall appoint one person who, with the governor of the State of Indiana and the president of the Tippecanoe Battle- ground Memorial Association, a voluntary association in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, shall constitute a commission, whose duty it shall be to select a suitable design for said monument, with such emblems and inscriptions as will properly commemorate the valor and sacrifices of the American army at the battle of Tippecanoe, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
SEC. 3. That it shall be the duty of said commission to select a site for said monument, which shall be on the battle-ground, to superintend the erection thereof, and to make all necessary and proper arrangements for the unveiling and dedication of the same when it shall have been completed. Said commis- sioners shall serve without compensation, and the State of Indiana shall make due provision for the protection and presrvation of said monument without expense to the government of the United States.
Approved, March 4, 1907, 11 a. m.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
HISTORY OF THE TIPPECANOE MONUMENT BILL IN THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
Friday, January 11, 1907, Senator Will R. Wood, of Tippe- canoe County, introduced Senate Bill No. 45, providing for the erection of a monument on the Tippecanoe battle-field. The bill was read the first time by title, and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Wednesday, January 16, 1907, bill was reported favorably by Finance Committee of the Senate.
Friday, January 18, 1907, read second time by title and or- dered engrossed.
Wednesday, January 23, 1907, bill passed the Senate, unani- mously.
Thursday, February 21, 1907, bill passed the House.
February 23, 1907, bill signed by the Speaker.
February 23, 1907, bill signed by President of the Senate.
February 26, 1907, bill signed by the Governor.
The following is the bill above named, as enacted into law :
AN ACT providing for the erection of a monument upon the Tippecanoe battle-field in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and providing for an appro- priation for the same, and declaring an emergency.
WHEREAS, It has been more than ninety-five years since the battle of Tippe- canoe was fought; and
WHEREAS, Up to this time no monument has been erected to commemorate the heroism of those engaged on behalf of the United States in said battle, or to commemorate the importance of the successful termination of said battle in the settlement of the great northwest; and
WHEREAS, A bill asking for the appropriation of twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the erection of such a monument in the event a like sum is appropriated by the State of Indiana, has been favorably acted upon and reported by the lower house of the United States Congress; therefore,
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That there be hereby appropriated out of any funds in the State treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the purpose of aiding in the purchase and erection of a monument upon the Tippecanoe battle-field, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana: Provided, however, That said sum shall not be paid until a like sum is appropriated by the United States government for the same purpose.
20
Report of Commission.
SEC. 2. Three trustees shall be appointed by the governor, whose duty it shall be to carry out the provisions of this act, and said trustees shall serve without compensation.
SEC. 3. Said trustees shall keep an accurate account of all disbursements and make a full report thereof and of the execution of their trust to the governor.
SEC. 4. There being an emergency for this act, the same shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage.
MEETING OF COMMISSION.
On January 6, 1908, Governor P. Frank Hanly, Job S. Sims, A. A. Jones and Wesley E. Wells, members of the Tippecanoe Monunent Commission, met and organized as follows :
President, Governor J. Frank Hanly.
Treasurer, Job S. Sims.
Secretary, A. A. Jones.
On February 12, 1908, contract for erection of monument was let to McDonnell & Sons, Buffalo, New York, for the sum of $24,- 500. A detailed statement of expenditures will be found at the end of this volume.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
Program of Exercises.
The following is the program of the dedicatory exercises held on the battle-field, Saturday, November 7, 1908, which is followed by the detailed report :
MORNING EXERCISES, 10 A. M.
A. O. RESER, Chairman.
Music Lafayette Band
Opening Address.
Hon. E. D. Crumpacker
Music.
Burrough's Band
Address Hon. Will R. Wood
Song-"On the Banks of the Wabash," Master Sherman Smith Music . Soldiers' Home Band
Address . Colonel R. P. DeHart Music. Lafayette Band
UNVEILING EXERCISES AT 1 P. M.
Music. . Tenth U. S. Regular Band
Song-"America" Battle Ground Choir Invocation. Rev. A. L. Miller, of Battle Ground Song-"Star Spangled Banner" Choir Address by Job S. Sims,
Presenting the Monument to the Government and State Unveiling, by Miss June Etta Wallis, Battle Ground Music-"Hail Columbia" Lafayette Band Acceptance by Governor J. Frank Hanly
Song-"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground". . Mrs. Edgar Taylor Address by Secretary of War, Receiving the Monument Song-"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean". . Choir Salute the dead, by the 10th Regiment U. S. Regulars
Music-"Hail Columbia" Band
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Report of Commission.
Morning Exercises.
TIPPECANOE BATTLE-FIELD, November 7, 1908, 10 o'clock.
CHAIRMAN RESER: Sallust, the Roman historian, more than nineteen hundred years ago, wrote "Republics are ungrateful." On down through the ages and centuries, those old historians al- most invariably wrote "Republics are ungrateful." But if those old historians had seen the pension rolls of this government, $150,- 000,000 a year; if they had seen the soldiers' homes of this coun- try-both National and State; if they had seen the American people on Memorial Day in 10,000 cemeteries garlanding the graves of the heroic dead; if they had seen the Nation and the State erecting this beautiful monument, they would not have writ- ten "Republics are ungrateful."
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