The Locust: The Harris Years
This rendering of General Harris is from his obituary, which ran in the April 10, 1895 Courier-Journal.
After Rhorer lost The Locust, it was purchased by former Confederate brigadier-general and politician Thomas Alexander Harris. Gen. Harris probably learned about Rhorer's defalcation and the resulting sale of the property while serving as Assistant Secretary of State under Governor Luke P. Blackburn.
The National Register of Historic Places nomination states that:
In 1882 The Locust was left in trust to Mary K. Harris, the wife of Thomas A. Harris. (Editor's note: she was his second wife.) Harris was a Confederate Brigadier General and later served as a Confederate State Senator from Missouri, his home state. During the latter part of the Civil War he was a member of the Confederate mission to England. After the war he came to Kentucky as an engineer in the construction of what is now the L & N Railroad from LaGrange (just east of Pewee Valley in Oldham County) to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Evidently, the Harrises spent considerable time and effort refurbishing the estate, and probably built the ca. 1884 brick addition to the house. The June 9, 1893 Courier-Journal noted in their "Kentucky" news roundup, pg. 2, news from Frankfort that:
...Gen. Thomas A. Harris, Assistant Secretary of State, having purchased the Rhorer farm near Pewee Valley, and had the grounds and buildings put in thorough order, will remove thereto with his family tomorrow. He was unfortunate enough the other day to lose a pocket-book containing $185 and a lottery ticket in the Louisiana lottery, supposed to be the ticket which will draw the capital prize. It has not yet been recovered.
The National Register of Historic Places nomination states that:
In 1882 The Locust was left in trust to Mary K. Harris, the wife of Thomas A. Harris. (Editor's note: she was his second wife.) Harris was a Confederate Brigadier General and later served as a Confederate State Senator from Missouri, his home state. During the latter part of the Civil War he was a member of the Confederate mission to England. After the war he came to Kentucky as an engineer in the construction of what is now the L & N Railroad from LaGrange (just east of Pewee Valley in Oldham County) to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Evidently, the Harrises spent considerable time and effort refurbishing the estate, and probably built the ca. 1884 brick addition to the house. The June 9, 1893 Courier-Journal noted in their "Kentucky" news roundup, pg. 2, news from Frankfort that:
...Gen. Thomas A. Harris, Assistant Secretary of State, having purchased the Rhorer farm near Pewee Valley, and had the grounds and buildings put in thorough order, will remove thereto with his family tomorrow. He was unfortunate enough the other day to lose a pocket-book containing $185 and a lottery ticket in the Louisiana lottery, supposed to be the ticket which will draw the capital prize. It has not yet been recovered.
A brief sketch of Thomas Alexander Harris's military and political career is available on Wikipedia as follows:
Thomas Alexander Harris (1826 - April 9, 1895) was a United States Army officer at the end of the Mexican–American War and a Missouri State Guard (Confederate) brigadier general during the early months of the American Civil War. (Civil War). He then became a prominent Confederate politician, serving in the First Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1864. Among other occupations, he was a Missouri State Representative before the Civil War and a Kentucky State Representative in 1885–1886.
Thomas A. Harris was born in Warren County, Virginia in 1826. His family moved to Missouri when Harris was a young boy. An orphan, he fought in the 1838 Mormon War at the age of 12. Harris attended the United States Military Academy in 1843–1845 but did not graduate. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1848 but peace was declared to end the Mexican–American War on the day he reported for duty. He participated in two filibustering expeditions in the early 1850s. He then returned to Hannibal, Missouri where he became attorney for a railroad, city attorney and a newspaper editor. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1860 and became chairman of the military committee.
As a brigadier general in the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, he fought at the First Battle of Lexington, Missouri. Between late 1861 and 1864, he represented Missouri in the First Confederate Congress. He then smuggled equipment for the Confederate States Army from Europe through the Union blockade of the Confederacy.
After the Civil War, Harris worked for the Life Insurance Association of America in St. Louis, Missouri and opened an office in Texas in 1870. Then he worked for a New Orleans, Louisiana newspaper. After this, he moved to Kentucky, where his friendship with the governor gained him an appointment as assistant secretary of state. Harris won a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives from Oldham County in 1885–1886.
Thomas Alexander Harris (1826 - April 9, 1895) was a United States Army officer at the end of the Mexican–American War and a Missouri State Guard (Confederate) brigadier general during the early months of the American Civil War. (Civil War). He then became a prominent Confederate politician, serving in the First Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1864. Among other occupations, he was a Missouri State Representative before the Civil War and a Kentucky State Representative in 1885–1886.
Thomas A. Harris was born in Warren County, Virginia in 1826. His family moved to Missouri when Harris was a young boy. An orphan, he fought in the 1838 Mormon War at the age of 12. Harris attended the United States Military Academy in 1843–1845 but did not graduate. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 12th U.S. Infantry Regiment in 1848 but peace was declared to end the Mexican–American War on the day he reported for duty. He participated in two filibustering expeditions in the early 1850s. He then returned to Hannibal, Missouri where he became attorney for a railroad, city attorney and a newspaper editor. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1860 and became chairman of the military committee.
As a brigadier general in the pro-Confederate Missouri State Guard, he fought at the First Battle of Lexington, Missouri. Between late 1861 and 1864, he represented Missouri in the First Confederate Congress. He then smuggled equipment for the Confederate States Army from Europe through the Union blockade of the Confederacy.
After the Civil War, Harris worked for the Life Insurance Association of America in St. Louis, Missouri and opened an office in Texas in 1870. Then he worked for a New Orleans, Louisiana newspaper. After this, he moved to Kentucky, where his friendship with the governor gained him an appointment as assistant secretary of state. Harris won a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives from Oldham County in 1885–1886.
A more detailed account of his military career appeared in the October 4, 1891 Courier-Journal, which carried a story about a Civil War reunion he attended in Missouri:
GEN. HARRIS COMPLIMENTED
______________________
A Distinguished Soldier's Welcome
From His Old Comrades
In Arms
Gen. Thomas A. Harris, of Pewee Valley, has returned from a visit to Missouri, where he went to attend a reunion of the old soldiers at Lexington. While in Missouri, Gen. Harris was the recipient of marked attention from his old comrades and the people generally. The newspapers all contained complimentary sketches of, and references to, him. The following is from the Republic of last Thursday:
"Among the distinguished guests registering at the Southern last evening was Gen. Thomas A Harris, for many years before and immediately after the war a prominent figure in this State, but now of Louisville, Ky. He is returning home from attending the recent reunion of the survivors of the siege and battle of Lexington, Mo., where, in 1861, as a Brigadier General, he led the Confederate forces, and by the use of a movable breastwork of hemp bales, captured the entire Federal army, numbering some 3,500 men, together with all their supplies and $1,000,000. At the break out of the war, Gen. Harris was, although only some 30 years of age, a retired soldier, having started to war when a boy of only fourteen years as Lieutenant Colonel of a Missouri regiment in the Mormon War. Later he was sent to West Point from Marion county, where he graduated with honors just in time to enlist in the war with Mexico. At the conclusion of this war, he resigned his commission in the United States army and entered into the Mexican army, fighting through the desperate race war then waging in Yucatan, which lasted some twelve months. He returned to the United States at the conclusion of his war, but remained only a short time, when he sailed for France and entered the French army, being present at the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon in 1851. After an absence of two years, and, as stated, retired to civil life, following the legal profession until 1860, when he was elected to the Missouri Legislature and made Speaker pro tem of the House. After the Battle of Lexington, he was elected by the Legislature to the Confederate Congress. Here he became quite distinguished and was recognized as one of President Davis' most intimate friends. In fact, on three different occasions Pres. Davis extended to him the war portfolio, but on each occasion it was declined.
"At the conclusion of the war, Gen. Harris started for Europe, but while attempting to catch on ocean steamer he was captured on special orders from Washington and placed in the same prison with Mrs. Surratt as a joint conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln. (Editor's note: Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Surratt was convicted of taking part in the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, sentenced to death, and became the first woman to be executed by the U.S. federal government.) The government, however, failed to make out a case against him, and on being released he came to St. Louis and was engaged for some time as the representative of the New York Life Insurance Company. In personal appearance, Gen. Harris is of commanding presence, standing fully six feet high, well proportioned and straight as an arrow. His pleasant face is cleanly shaven except a mustache, which, like his closely-clipped hair, is snowy white. He dresses in black with scrupulous neatness, and though sixty-five years of age, is as active as many men of forty..."
Additional information about the Battle of Lexington, Missouri -- dubbed the Battle of the Hemp Bales -- is available at Civil War Talk. That battle was responsible for creating Gen. Harris's formidable military reputation among the Union troops, according to Confederate General Basil Duke in his book, "Reminiscences of General Basil W. Duke" (Doubleday, Page, 1911) pg. 54:
...Harris was appointed to the command of one of the military districts into which the state was divided under the military bill, with the rank of brigadier-general. Such justice has been done his military record by no less a personage than General Grant, in the latter's own memoirs, that I need not enlarge upon it. He did not, however, remain long in the field, but served Missouri even more efficiently in the Confederate congress...
GEN. HARRIS COMPLIMENTED
______________________
A Distinguished Soldier's Welcome
From His Old Comrades
In Arms
Gen. Thomas A. Harris, of Pewee Valley, has returned from a visit to Missouri, where he went to attend a reunion of the old soldiers at Lexington. While in Missouri, Gen. Harris was the recipient of marked attention from his old comrades and the people generally. The newspapers all contained complimentary sketches of, and references to, him. The following is from the Republic of last Thursday:
"Among the distinguished guests registering at the Southern last evening was Gen. Thomas A Harris, for many years before and immediately after the war a prominent figure in this State, but now of Louisville, Ky. He is returning home from attending the recent reunion of the survivors of the siege and battle of Lexington, Mo., where, in 1861, as a Brigadier General, he led the Confederate forces, and by the use of a movable breastwork of hemp bales, captured the entire Federal army, numbering some 3,500 men, together with all their supplies and $1,000,000. At the break out of the war, Gen. Harris was, although only some 30 years of age, a retired soldier, having started to war when a boy of only fourteen years as Lieutenant Colonel of a Missouri regiment in the Mormon War. Later he was sent to West Point from Marion county, where he graduated with honors just in time to enlist in the war with Mexico. At the conclusion of this war, he resigned his commission in the United States army and entered into the Mexican army, fighting through the desperate race war then waging in Yucatan, which lasted some twelve months. He returned to the United States at the conclusion of his war, but remained only a short time, when he sailed for France and entered the French army, being present at the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon in 1851. After an absence of two years, and, as stated, retired to civil life, following the legal profession until 1860, when he was elected to the Missouri Legislature and made Speaker pro tem of the House. After the Battle of Lexington, he was elected by the Legislature to the Confederate Congress. Here he became quite distinguished and was recognized as one of President Davis' most intimate friends. In fact, on three different occasions Pres. Davis extended to him the war portfolio, but on each occasion it was declined.
"At the conclusion of the war, Gen. Harris started for Europe, but while attempting to catch on ocean steamer he was captured on special orders from Washington and placed in the same prison with Mrs. Surratt as a joint conspirator in the assassination of President Lincoln. (Editor's note: Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Surratt was convicted of taking part in the Lincoln assassination conspiracy, sentenced to death, and became the first woman to be executed by the U.S. federal government.) The government, however, failed to make out a case against him, and on being released he came to St. Louis and was engaged for some time as the representative of the New York Life Insurance Company. In personal appearance, Gen. Harris is of commanding presence, standing fully six feet high, well proportioned and straight as an arrow. His pleasant face is cleanly shaven except a mustache, which, like his closely-clipped hair, is snowy white. He dresses in black with scrupulous neatness, and though sixty-five years of age, is as active as many men of forty..."
Additional information about the Battle of Lexington, Missouri -- dubbed the Battle of the Hemp Bales -- is available at Civil War Talk. That battle was responsible for creating Gen. Harris's formidable military reputation among the Union troops, according to Confederate General Basil Duke in his book, "Reminiscences of General Basil W. Duke" (Doubleday, Page, 1911) pg. 54:
...Harris was appointed to the command of one of the military districts into which the state was divided under the military bill, with the rank of brigadier-general. Such justice has been done his military record by no less a personage than General Grant, in the latter's own memoirs, that I need not enlarge upon it. He did not, however, remain long in the field, but served Missouri even more efficiently in the Confederate congress...
This is the passage from Grant's personal memoirs Duke was referring to:
"…I received orders to move against Colonel Thomas Harris, who was said to be encamped at the little town of Florida, some twenty-five miles south of where we then were.
…Harris had been encamped in a creek bottom for the sake of being near water. The hills on either side of the creek extend to a considerable height, possibly more than a hundred feet. As we approached the brow of the hill from which it was expected we could see Harris’ camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois, but I had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do; I kept right on. When we reached a point from which the valley below was in full view I halted. The place where Harris had been encamped a few days before was visible, but the troops were gone. My heart resumed its place. It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was valuable."
"…I received orders to move against Colonel Thomas Harris, who was said to be encamped at the little town of Florida, some twenty-five miles south of where we then were.
…Harris had been encamped in a creek bottom for the sake of being near water. The hills on either side of the creek extend to a considerable height, possibly more than a hundred feet. As we approached the brow of the hill from which it was expected we could see Harris’ camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois, but I had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do; I kept right on. When we reached a point from which the valley below was in full view I halted. The place where Harris had been encamped a few days before was visible, but the troops were gone. My heart resumed its place. It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was valuable."
Mark Twain portrait by Matthew Brady taken February 7, 1871. From the Library of Congress.
Duke and Grant weren't the only ones to write about Gen. Harris. A young Mark Twain -- known as Samuel Clemons at the time -- briefly fought for the Confederacy. In a fictional short story about his war experiences entitled, “The Private History of a Campaign That Failed,” Twain provided this humorous account of what went down in Florida, Missouri:
The last camp which we fell back upon was in a hollow near the village of Florida, where I was born – in Monroe County. Here we were warned that a Union colonel was sweeping down on us with a whole regiment at his heels. This looked decidedly serious. Our boys went apart and consulted; then we went back and told the other companies present that the war was a disappointment for us and we were going to disband.
Harris ordered us back; but we told him there was a Union colonel coming with a whole regiment in his wake, and it looked as if there was going to be a disturbance; so we had concluded to go home. He raged a little, but it was of no use; our minds were made up. We had done our share; had killed a man, exterminated one army, such as it was; let him [Harris] go and kill the rest, and that would end the war.
In time I came to know that Union Colonel, whose coming frightened us out of the war and crippled the Southern cause to that extent -- General Grant. I came within a few hours of seeing him when he was as unknown as myself.
The last camp which we fell back upon was in a hollow near the village of Florida, where I was born – in Monroe County. Here we were warned that a Union colonel was sweeping down on us with a whole regiment at his heels. This looked decidedly serious. Our boys went apart and consulted; then we went back and told the other companies present that the war was a disappointment for us and we were going to disband.
Harris ordered us back; but we told him there was a Union colonel coming with a whole regiment in his wake, and it looked as if there was going to be a disturbance; so we had concluded to go home. He raged a little, but it was of no use; our minds were made up. We had done our share; had killed a man, exterminated one army, such as it was; let him [Harris] go and kill the rest, and that would end the war.
In time I came to know that Union Colonel, whose coming frightened us out of the war and crippled the Southern cause to that extent -- General Grant. I came within a few hours of seeing him when he was as unknown as myself.
General Harris died on April 9, 1895 at The Locust. His obituary ran in the next day's Courier-Journal:
GEN. HARRIS DEAD
______________
Passed Away at 11 O'Clock
Yesterday Morning
________________
Was a Remarkable Man In
Many Ways
________________
SOLDIER AND STATESMAN
_________________
His Capture of Lexington, Mo.,
During the War
_________________
AN EVENTFUL LIFE
Gen. T. A. Harris died yesterday morning at 11 o'clock at his home, Locust Lodge. He had been a sufferer for many years, but the attack that laid him low came only a month ago. He had been sinking for the past two weeks. His death, therefore, was not unexpected.
Gen. Harris was a remarkable man in many ways. He was born in the Virginia valley near Winchester about three-quarters of a century ago. He went with his father to Missouri when he was still a boy and lived near Hannibal. While still young he manifested a love of military affairs, and made a study of tactics and military government. So prominent did he become in these matters that when he was sixteen he was dubbed Colonel. While very young he was placed in a militia and sent out after Joseph Smith and his Mormon followers. His fine executive ability, coupled with his technical knowledge, made him valuable on the field and against the disagreeable religionists (sic) who had taken up their residence in Missouri. He was largely responsible with his company in ridding the State of the Mormons.
GEN. HARRIS DEAD
______________
Passed Away at 11 O'Clock
Yesterday Morning
________________
Was a Remarkable Man In
Many Ways
________________
SOLDIER AND STATESMAN
_________________
His Capture of Lexington, Mo.,
During the War
_________________
AN EVENTFUL LIFE
Gen. T. A. Harris died yesterday morning at 11 o'clock at his home, Locust Lodge. He had been a sufferer for many years, but the attack that laid him low came only a month ago. He had been sinking for the past two weeks. His death, therefore, was not unexpected.
Gen. Harris was a remarkable man in many ways. He was born in the Virginia valley near Winchester about three-quarters of a century ago. He went with his father to Missouri when he was still a boy and lived near Hannibal. While still young he manifested a love of military affairs, and made a study of tactics and military government. So prominent did he become in these matters that when he was sixteen he was dubbed Colonel. While very young he was placed in a militia and sent out after Joseph Smith and his Mormon followers. His fine executive ability, coupled with his technical knowledge, made him valuable on the field and against the disagreeable religionists (sic) who had taken up their residence in Missouri. He was largely responsible with his company in ridding the State of the Mormons.
Thomas Hart Benton from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Painter: Ferdinand Thomas Lee Boyle (1820 - 1906); Photographer: Billy Hathorn
He perfected his knowledge of military affairs by attending and graduating from West Point, where he was the companion of General Grant and General Buckner. (Editor's note: Simon Bolivar Buckner was a Confederate General during the Civil War and in 1887 was elected the 30th governor of Kentucky.) He was given command of troops sent from Missouri during the Mexican war, and participated with distinction in many battles. After the Mexican war, he married the sister of Admiral Porter, of the United States navy. He made an extended tour of Europe with his wife, and resided for some time in London, Paris and Vienna. His wife died shortly after he returned to Missouri. He was sent to the Missouri Legislature while young Proctor Knott was Attorney General and Clyburn Jackson was Governor. He was in politics with Senators Green, Atchison and Benton. He was the only man in Missouri who was selected to appear against Benton in joint debate. It was after Benton had served thirty years in Congress and when he was making his last great fight to be returned to the halls where he had achieved fame and honor. Benton, known as "Old Bullion," was an imperious man who would not brook contradiction. He was a man with pet schemes, and to some had made himself ridiculous by his flamboyant manner of advocating them.
Gen. Harris liked to tell of the first great debate with Benton. Benton spoke first and Harris followed. Harris' speech was largely a parody on Benton's bombastic style. Benton looked and listened in amazement. His amazement changed to anger, and finally Harris' arraignment so nettled him that he left the stage in a high state of indignation and disgust. Gen. Harris afterword apologized to Benton, who became mollified and friendly. Benton was defeated in the canvass, and much credit for the defeat is given to Gen. Harris' connection with it.
Gen. Harris liked to tell of the first great debate with Benton. Benton spoke first and Harris followed. Harris' speech was largely a parody on Benton's bombastic style. Benton looked and listened in amazement. His amazement changed to anger, and finally Harris' arraignment so nettled him that he left the stage in a high state of indignation and disgust. Gen. Harris afterword apologized to Benton, who became mollified and friendly. Benton was defeated in the canvass, and much credit for the defeat is given to Gen. Harris' connection with it.
Gen. Harris met Simon Bolivar Buckner while attending West Point. Buckner later served at the 30th Governor of Kentucky and appointed Harris to the Centennial Constitution Convention.
Gen. Harris later went to Mexico, where he received commercial concessions from the Mexican Government. He organized the Mexican Trade and Transportation Company, which included the establishment of railroad and steamship communication with the United States. The scheme fell through for lack of capital, but its good points were afterwords seen by such men as Jay Gould and C.P. Huntington. Gen. Harris was a resident of the City of Mexico for some years and during his residence was treated with distinguished courtesy by the Government and officials.
Gen. Harris was back in Missouri at the breaking out of the civil war. When part of the Missouri State Guard took sides with the Confederacy, Gen. Price was given command and Gen. Harris was made a Brigadier General and given charge of the second division. He was proud of the record he made in the war, especially so of the siege against Lexington in September, 1861, which was defended by Cols. Mulligan and McNulta. Gen. Harris and his men occupied the best possible position for the use of small arms. They were under a bluff near the river. On their right was a two-story brick building occupied by Federal forces. Gen. Harris saw that this was an important point to capture and resolved to get it. He drew up a line of his sharp shooters, and after a spirited engagement lasting just fifteen minutes captured the house.
Gen. Harris posted his soldiers in this house and they poured a deadly fire from the windows above and below into the enemies' lines. The fire was directed so hotly against the artillery that the men were compelled to desert their guns and lie down in the entrenchments. Col. Mulligan sent out an Irish regiment, and after a spirited fight captured some of Gen. Harris' men. Gen. Harris rallied his remaining men, and in twenty minutes regained the house. It was then determined by Gen. Harris to make a final assault on the fortified works of the enemy. He was at a loss to cover his soldiers as they made an onslaught on the garrison. He spied a lot of bales of hemp on the wharf. He at once thought of Gen. Jackson's famous fight behind cotton bales. He determined to make a portable bulwark of the hemp bales. He soaked them in the river and then drew them up in a line, assigning three men to each bale. The men made the attack behind this protection. As they saw the garrison giving way they gradually rolled the bales of hemp up the steep hill until they reached a point almost under the garrison. In speaking of the effect of the long line of hempen bales moving up the hill, an eye-witness compares the feeling of the Federal troops with those of Macbeth as Birnamwood moved to Dusinane. When the Federal troops saw that the hot shot they poured into the bales imbedded (sic) itself harmlessly they concluded that the best thing to do was to surrender, and on the evening of September 19, Gen. Harris saw a little white flag fluttering over the garrison. The result of a conference was an unconditional surrender of the Federal troops.
He went to the Confederate Conference in Richmond from Missouri, and took a prominent and brilliant part in the debates. He was consistently in communication with the Confederate Secretary of War. Gen. Harris never surrendered, and up to the day of his death did not take an oath of allegiance. After the war he went to Honduras and Yucatan, where he remained for about a year. His reputation as a soldier and General had preceded him, and he was treated cordially by both Government. During his stay he was given command of troops, but the country was not to his liking so he went to Paris. He returned to America after Reconstruction of the Southern States. He settled for awhile in New Orleans, and helped to establish the Times-Democrat. During his residence in Kentucky he was a member of the State Legislature a number of times, and was Assistant Secretary of State under Gov. Blackburn. He made the reputation of being one of the efficient Assistant Secretaries of State Kentucky has ever had. His last public office was as member of the Kentucky Legislature from Oldham about nine years ago. He ran for office once since, but was defeated.
In September, 1887, he was one of those sent from Kentucky by Gov. Buckner to represent the State at the Centennial of the Constitution Convention, which met in Philadelphia. He was a close friend of Gov. Curtin, the old war Governor of Pennsylvania. The Hibernian Association, a club which is older than the United States and which numbers among its members many Presidents, gave a reception of which Gov. Curtin was master of ceremonies. Gov. Curtin gave Gen. Harris a seat of honor along with President Cleveland and the Governors of the States who were present. Gen. Harris was called upon for a speech. It was the verdict of many of those present that he made the most brilliant effort of the evening.
After moving to Kentucky, Gen. Harris visited Lexington, Mo., the scene of his memorable siege, only once, when he attended a reunion of the Confederates and Federal soldiers who participated in the siege. He represented the Confederate soldiers and Col. McNulta, of Bloomington, Ill., who was recently appointed receiver of the Whiskey Trust, represented the Federal soldiers. Gen. Harris took a prominent part in the reunion and set a movement on foot to have all the records of the fight collected and set down as history.
After the death of his first wife, Gen. Harris married Miss Mary Wingate, granddaughter of Dr. Wingate, who for many years was a celebrated physician of Louisville. She died at Citronelle, Ala., in 1887, leaving a son, Lucian Harris, who has just reached manhood. Mrs. Harris was a beautiful woman, of lovely character, and will be remembered by many in Louisville. About three years ago, Gen. Harris married Miss Peck, of Lexington, who survives him.
Gen. Harris was back in Missouri at the breaking out of the civil war. When part of the Missouri State Guard took sides with the Confederacy, Gen. Price was given command and Gen. Harris was made a Brigadier General and given charge of the second division. He was proud of the record he made in the war, especially so of the siege against Lexington in September, 1861, which was defended by Cols. Mulligan and McNulta. Gen. Harris and his men occupied the best possible position for the use of small arms. They were under a bluff near the river. On their right was a two-story brick building occupied by Federal forces. Gen. Harris saw that this was an important point to capture and resolved to get it. He drew up a line of his sharp shooters, and after a spirited engagement lasting just fifteen minutes captured the house.
Gen. Harris posted his soldiers in this house and they poured a deadly fire from the windows above and below into the enemies' lines. The fire was directed so hotly against the artillery that the men were compelled to desert their guns and lie down in the entrenchments. Col. Mulligan sent out an Irish regiment, and after a spirited fight captured some of Gen. Harris' men. Gen. Harris rallied his remaining men, and in twenty minutes regained the house. It was then determined by Gen. Harris to make a final assault on the fortified works of the enemy. He was at a loss to cover his soldiers as they made an onslaught on the garrison. He spied a lot of bales of hemp on the wharf. He at once thought of Gen. Jackson's famous fight behind cotton bales. He determined to make a portable bulwark of the hemp bales. He soaked them in the river and then drew them up in a line, assigning three men to each bale. The men made the attack behind this protection. As they saw the garrison giving way they gradually rolled the bales of hemp up the steep hill until they reached a point almost under the garrison. In speaking of the effect of the long line of hempen bales moving up the hill, an eye-witness compares the feeling of the Federal troops with those of Macbeth as Birnamwood moved to Dusinane. When the Federal troops saw that the hot shot they poured into the bales imbedded (sic) itself harmlessly they concluded that the best thing to do was to surrender, and on the evening of September 19, Gen. Harris saw a little white flag fluttering over the garrison. The result of a conference was an unconditional surrender of the Federal troops.
He went to the Confederate Conference in Richmond from Missouri, and took a prominent and brilliant part in the debates. He was consistently in communication with the Confederate Secretary of War. Gen. Harris never surrendered, and up to the day of his death did not take an oath of allegiance. After the war he went to Honduras and Yucatan, where he remained for about a year. His reputation as a soldier and General had preceded him, and he was treated cordially by both Government. During his stay he was given command of troops, but the country was not to his liking so he went to Paris. He returned to America after Reconstruction of the Southern States. He settled for awhile in New Orleans, and helped to establish the Times-Democrat. During his residence in Kentucky he was a member of the State Legislature a number of times, and was Assistant Secretary of State under Gov. Blackburn. He made the reputation of being one of the efficient Assistant Secretaries of State Kentucky has ever had. His last public office was as member of the Kentucky Legislature from Oldham about nine years ago. He ran for office once since, but was defeated.
In September, 1887, he was one of those sent from Kentucky by Gov. Buckner to represent the State at the Centennial of the Constitution Convention, which met in Philadelphia. He was a close friend of Gov. Curtin, the old war Governor of Pennsylvania. The Hibernian Association, a club which is older than the United States and which numbers among its members many Presidents, gave a reception of which Gov. Curtin was master of ceremonies. Gov. Curtin gave Gen. Harris a seat of honor along with President Cleveland and the Governors of the States who were present. Gen. Harris was called upon for a speech. It was the verdict of many of those present that he made the most brilliant effort of the evening.
After moving to Kentucky, Gen. Harris visited Lexington, Mo., the scene of his memorable siege, only once, when he attended a reunion of the Confederates and Federal soldiers who participated in the siege. He represented the Confederate soldiers and Col. McNulta, of Bloomington, Ill., who was recently appointed receiver of the Whiskey Trust, represented the Federal soldiers. Gen. Harris took a prominent part in the reunion and set a movement on foot to have all the records of the fight collected and set down as history.
After the death of his first wife, Gen. Harris married Miss Mary Wingate, granddaughter of Dr. Wingate, who for many years was a celebrated physician of Louisville. She died at Citronelle, Ala., in 1887, leaving a son, Lucian Harris, who has just reached manhood. Mrs. Harris was a beautiful woman, of lovely character, and will be remembered by many in Louisville. About three years ago, Gen. Harris married Miss Peck, of Lexington, who survives him.
Niblo's Garden on Broadway in 1887.
Maj. Sanders, who was a life-long friend of Gen. Harris, said yesterday, "Gen. Harris was a man of many and varied attainments. He had a fine ear for critically judging music and was capable of both writing and playing music. Just after the war he wrote a comic opera which had a long run at Niblo's Garden in New York. He was one of the best story-tellers I ever knew, and as free-hearted and liberal a man as ever was. He was a good mixer and could carry with him a crowd of young men quite as easily as a crowd made up of old fellows like himself. At a meeting of the University Club at the Louisville Hotel, he quite captivated the young men present with his speeches and witty sallies. Wherever Gen. Harris has been and is known he has left a memory that will always be fresh and green."
Services will be held at Locust Lodge, in which Gen. Harris took much pride, this morning at 10 o'clock. The remains will be brought to Louisville and interred in Cave Hill Cemetery.
Services will be held at Locust Lodge, in which Gen. Harris took much pride, this morning at 10 o'clock. The remains will be brought to Louisville and interred in Cave Hill Cemetery.
Photo by John Adkins, http://www.fotographic.us/
One can only wonder what Gen. Harris would have thought when the "disagreeable religionists" he helped chase out of Missouri as a teenager built their 76th temple on property that was once part of his Pewee Valley farm!
A little more than a century after his death,
A little more than a century after his death,
Gen. Harris' only child, Lucian, inherited Locust Lodge. The year after his father died, Lucian eloped with Amy Barkhouse, one of Pewee Valley's summer residents. The Courier-Journal covered their tryst on September 26, 1896:
Mr. Lucian Harris, son of the late Gen. Harris, and Miss Amy Barkhouse, the pretty nineteen-year-old daughter of Mr. Julius Barkhouse, are the principals in a pretty marriage romance which is not without its pleasingly sensational features. Married on September 22 at Jeffersonville by Magistrate Keigwin, they succeeded in keeping the matter a secret until about 2 o'clock this morning. Then they were caught at the Tenth street depot by Cpt. Bright of the Police Department, who received information saying they could be found there.
Mr. Harris lives on the estate of his father in Pewee Valley. The beautiful country residence is known as Locust Lodge. Miss Barkhouse had been spending the summer with her parents at Mr. Barkhouse's country home, near Mr. Harris' estate. She is a beautiful young woman of the pronounced brunette type. She has a wealth of dark brown hair and a pair of splendid black eyes. She is known as one of the prettiest girls of Louisville society. Mr. Harris is a young man of attainments, and has been a favorite in his circle of acquaintances.
The two young people were thrown much together this summer in Pewee society and they formed a strong attachment for each other. Although they determined to plight their troth, they let no one into their secret, so far as is known. They in some manner managed to meet each other in Louisville on September 22 and proceeded to Jeffersonville where they were married by Magistrate Keigwin. Both returned to Pewee and went to their respective homes. They have only met in the regular course of society since their pretty little romance.
Yesterday they determined to take a trip East and with that end in view they planned to come to Louisville first. Mrs. Harris numbers among her accomplishments being a splendid performer on the piano. Last night, she was to attend a musicale soiree at the home of Mrs. Armstrong, near Pewee. Mrs. Barkhouse, her mother, and Mr. Joseph Miller, her brother-in-law, were to accompany her. Her father was in New York.
The time passed until 9 o'clock was reached and still she seemed loth to leave the house. Her mother urged her to hurry up, but she started them on ahead. She met Mr. Harris along the way, and while her mother and brother-in-law proceeded to Mrs. Armstrong's the young people quietly sought the railroad station and took the 9:15 train for Louisville. When Mrs. Barkhouse and Mr. Miller reached Mrs. Armstrong's and Mr. and Mrs. Harris did not come they grew uneasy. They returned home and, much to their surprise, found a short note from Mrs. Harris saying she and Mr. Harris had gone away. Mr. Miller at once made inquiries and learned from the station agent that they had bought tickets for Louisville. Mr. Miller hastily telegraphed to police headquarters to interrupt "Miss Barkhouse, who had eloped with Mr. Harris and was going to Jeffersonville to get married."
Capt. Bright got the telegraph and sent his men to the river to watch the ferry. He later received information from the Tenth-street depot that "Mr. Harris and Miss Barkhouse" were there. Capt. Bright found them in a sleeper bound for Cincinnati. Mr. Harris produced his marriage license and told the Captain that they were going East. Capt. Bright persuaded the young people to go home, which they promised to do. It was only a few minutes later when Mr. Miller, and Mrs. Barkhouse reached the depot, having driven from Pewee Valley in less than two hours.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris consented to go back to Pewee Valley, but it was nearly 2 o'clock in the morning when such a consensus was reached, no conveyance was procurable, so they will likely to stay in town till today.
The young couple were at first very reticent about the matter, but they finally said that they felt they had a right to get married, and had no fears. Mrs. Harris said, "We came here from Pewee on the 22nd of this month, and we went over to Jeffersonville. There we were married by Magistrate Keigwin, then returned home, but said nothing whatever about the matter. He went to his home and I went to my people -- and to think they did not catch on in all this time." She then made a pretty face at her husband.
Mr. Harris was duly proud, and he took in the situation with the utmost calmness.
Mrs. Harris is the daughter of Mr. Julius Barkhouse, the wholesale whisky dealer, residing on Third avenue, near Kentucky street. Her education was begun in the public schools, which after she finished at a private school. She is nineteen years of age and considered one of the handsomest young women in the city. She was exceedingly popular in the younger set of society, which she entered a short time ago. She had many admirers among the young men of this city. She is one of several daughters, the others having been in society here for a number of years.
Mr. Harris is the son of the late Thos. A Harris, who was known as the "Sage of Locust Lodge," and who was widely known throughout the state. He is about twenty-four years of age, and was at one time in the newspaper business of this city. While here he made many friends, but he remained in the city only a short time, leaving to take charge of his place at Pewee Valley. At one time he took a course in medicine, but since leaving the newspaper field, he has not located in any business. After the death of his father he inherited a considerable sum of money.
Mr. Lucian Harris, son of the late Gen. Harris, and Miss Amy Barkhouse, the pretty nineteen-year-old daughter of Mr. Julius Barkhouse, are the principals in a pretty marriage romance which is not without its pleasingly sensational features. Married on September 22 at Jeffersonville by Magistrate Keigwin, they succeeded in keeping the matter a secret until about 2 o'clock this morning. Then they were caught at the Tenth street depot by Cpt. Bright of the Police Department, who received information saying they could be found there.
Mr. Harris lives on the estate of his father in Pewee Valley. The beautiful country residence is known as Locust Lodge. Miss Barkhouse had been spending the summer with her parents at Mr. Barkhouse's country home, near Mr. Harris' estate. She is a beautiful young woman of the pronounced brunette type. She has a wealth of dark brown hair and a pair of splendid black eyes. She is known as one of the prettiest girls of Louisville society. Mr. Harris is a young man of attainments, and has been a favorite in his circle of acquaintances.
The two young people were thrown much together this summer in Pewee society and they formed a strong attachment for each other. Although they determined to plight their troth, they let no one into their secret, so far as is known. They in some manner managed to meet each other in Louisville on September 22 and proceeded to Jeffersonville where they were married by Magistrate Keigwin. Both returned to Pewee and went to their respective homes. They have only met in the regular course of society since their pretty little romance.
Yesterday they determined to take a trip East and with that end in view they planned to come to Louisville first. Mrs. Harris numbers among her accomplishments being a splendid performer on the piano. Last night, she was to attend a musicale soiree at the home of Mrs. Armstrong, near Pewee. Mrs. Barkhouse, her mother, and Mr. Joseph Miller, her brother-in-law, were to accompany her. Her father was in New York.
The time passed until 9 o'clock was reached and still she seemed loth to leave the house. Her mother urged her to hurry up, but she started them on ahead. She met Mr. Harris along the way, and while her mother and brother-in-law proceeded to Mrs. Armstrong's the young people quietly sought the railroad station and took the 9:15 train for Louisville. When Mrs. Barkhouse and Mr. Miller reached Mrs. Armstrong's and Mr. and Mrs. Harris did not come they grew uneasy. They returned home and, much to their surprise, found a short note from Mrs. Harris saying she and Mr. Harris had gone away. Mr. Miller at once made inquiries and learned from the station agent that they had bought tickets for Louisville. Mr. Miller hastily telegraphed to police headquarters to interrupt "Miss Barkhouse, who had eloped with Mr. Harris and was going to Jeffersonville to get married."
Capt. Bright got the telegraph and sent his men to the river to watch the ferry. He later received information from the Tenth-street depot that "Mr. Harris and Miss Barkhouse" were there. Capt. Bright found them in a sleeper bound for Cincinnati. Mr. Harris produced his marriage license and told the Captain that they were going East. Capt. Bright persuaded the young people to go home, which they promised to do. It was only a few minutes later when Mr. Miller, and Mrs. Barkhouse reached the depot, having driven from Pewee Valley in less than two hours.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris consented to go back to Pewee Valley, but it was nearly 2 o'clock in the morning when such a consensus was reached, no conveyance was procurable, so they will likely to stay in town till today.
The young couple were at first very reticent about the matter, but they finally said that they felt they had a right to get married, and had no fears. Mrs. Harris said, "We came here from Pewee on the 22nd of this month, and we went over to Jeffersonville. There we were married by Magistrate Keigwin, then returned home, but said nothing whatever about the matter. He went to his home and I went to my people -- and to think they did not catch on in all this time." She then made a pretty face at her husband.
Mr. Harris was duly proud, and he took in the situation with the utmost calmness.
Mrs. Harris is the daughter of Mr. Julius Barkhouse, the wholesale whisky dealer, residing on Third avenue, near Kentucky street. Her education was begun in the public schools, which after she finished at a private school. She is nineteen years of age and considered one of the handsomest young women in the city. She was exceedingly popular in the younger set of society, which she entered a short time ago. She had many admirers among the young men of this city. She is one of several daughters, the others having been in society here for a number of years.
Mr. Harris is the son of the late Thos. A Harris, who was known as the "Sage of Locust Lodge," and who was widely known throughout the state. He is about twenty-four years of age, and was at one time in the newspaper business of this city. While here he made many friends, but he remained in the city only a short time, leaving to take charge of his place at Pewee Valley. At one time he took a course in medicine, but since leaving the newspaper field, he has not located in any business. After the death of his father he inherited a considerable sum of money.
Amy and Lucien wore disguises and got some help from their friends in Pewee Valley when they presented themselves to Magistrate Keigwin, according to the Courier-Journal's follow-up story that ran on September 27:
...shortly after noon, Mr. Dulaney dropped into Magistrate Keigwin's office. Presently in came Mr. Warfield. After awhile a young woman tripped up the stairway that has been traveled by many pair of lovers for better or for worse. She wore a traveling gown and blue glasses that completely concealed her identity. She hastened into Mrs. Keigwin's parlor saying that Mr. Harris would soon arrive. Later he came. He was attired in a flowing brown overcoat. A brown slouch hat was pulled down over his eyes.
For performing the secret ceremony, Magistrate Keigwin was paid $50 -- the largest fee he had ever received in the 10,000 marriages he had performed.
The reason Amy and Lucien eloped probably had to do with differences in their religious backgrounds. The Barkhouses were Jewish, and Amy's father insisted they be married by Rabbi Moses before leaving for their honeymoon. The second ceremony took place on September 30 at Blanchwood, the Barkhouse country home in Pewee Valley. Then it was full speed ahead to Chicago and Milwaukee.
On October 12, 1903, Lucian sold Locust Lodge to Powhatan Wooldridge. The Courier-Journal reported the next day that, "...the price paid was about $15,000 (Editor's note: about $355,000 today.) The Harris home is one of the best known in the State. Mr. Wooldridge intends to convert the property into a pretty summer home, but he had not made definite plans as to its disposition."
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