268 Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.
PRESERVATION OF HARRISON'S TOMB.
A sentimental motive prompted Colonel
Russell B. Harrison, son
of the late ex-President of the United
States, to come to Cincinnati
yesterday. He had a case in the United
States Court, but his important
reason for the visit was to have a
conference with his distant relative,
Colonel Lewis W. Irwin, in regard to
inducing the United States Gov-
ernment to take over the burying ground
at North Bend, where the tombs
of his distinguished grandfather,
General and President William Henry
Harrison are located.
Colonel Harrison and Mr. Irwin talked
for more than two hours
and agreed upon a plan of action. A
resolution will be prepared for
introduction at the next session of
Congress, by either Representative
Goebel or Longworth, providing that the
United States shall take posses-
sion of the cemetery at the hamlet of
North Bend, make such repairs as
are necessary and keep the Stars and
Stripes always floating above the
tomb of the "Hero of
Tippecanoe." Every one of the hundreds of
heirs to the little burying ground,
which contains about five acres, has
agreed to give a quitclaim deed to their
individual interests, and there
will be no expense to the Government
whatever, except the slight cost
of taking care of the property.
Many years ago the Trustees of Miami
Township prohibited further
burials in the Harrison private
cemetery. Shortly before this was done
one of the most shocking incidents in
local history took place. Ghouls
stole the body of John Scott Harrison,
father of President Benjamin
Harrison, from the grave and it was
later discovered by General Harri-
son in the pickling vat of the Ohio Medical
College. A great sensation
was caused by the discovery. The remains
of the old man were rein-
terred in the same grave, and a guard
was kept over them for several
weeks.
This was in the latter part of May 1878,
and Colonel L. W. Irwin,
who is taking such deep interest in the
movement to have Uncle Sam
assume charge of the cemetery, was
Prosecuting Attorney of Hamilton
County at that time. Members of the
Harrison family have never for-
gotten the desecration of the grave of
their beloved dead, and believing
that a grateful country is willing to
honor one of her most distinguished
soldiers and statesmen they proffer the
graveyard, with the only condition
that it be kept free from vandalism and
that the flag of the country
always float over the tomb of President
William Henry Harrison.-
Cincinnati Enquirer, April 3, 1907.