Vigo County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Terre Haute - Scenes, Events and Persons of the, 1908 (part 2 of 2)

As the town's one piece of artillery thundered its salute, the distinguished visitor was escorted through a great multitude to the tavern of Captain James Wasson, and there he received the citizens of Terre Haute and of \'igo county, and the little town must have presented a Scene seldom surpassed in interest and picturesque variety of that day, with crowds of rugged farmers coming in wagons and on horseback from far and near, surrounding the old court house with their rigs and mounts and swarming around the old '"Eagle and Lion" tavern at the corner of Wabash avenue and First street.

A committee on behalf of the town and vicinity waited upon Mr. Clay to present an address, to which he replied, address and reply being in writing. The welcome was so graceful and characteristic of the quaint ceremony of the time, and expressive of the political issues and feeling of that period that it is reproduced nearly in full, with the names of leading citizens who formed the committee and spoke as follows :

Sir - Being appointed by the citizens of Terre Haute and vicinity a committee for this purpose, we have to perform the highly acceptable office of addressing you in their behalf. We assure you, sir, of the lively gratification generally felt at your presence amongst us - we tender you the homage of our respect and esteem, and beg you to believe that you are received by all with a heartfelt welcome.

Indeed, the scene which now presents itself to you renders unnecessary these expressions. You behold our citizens assembled in an immense multitude to meet you at the very moment of your arrival, and by their looks and salutations you have a full assurance of their feelings. The national colors, floating from the flagstaff of our town, and the continued roar of artillery, announce to all that we consider your visit a cause for more than ordinary rejoicing and that we have declared this day to be one of public congratulation and festivity.

We cannot forget the benefits which you have rendered the west, whilst engaged in the national councils, both in Congress and the cabinet - your successful efforts in Europe to secure to your country an honorable peace - your eloquence in behalf of the oppressed of South America - your introduction and support of a system of internal improvements and domestic manufactures, so well calculated to secure the real independence of the country, and to all parts ofl it equal benefits - our national character likewise, elevated as it is in both hemispheres, so that an American citizen is hailed with pleasure In every land - for these we consider ourselves, in a great measure, indebted to your splendid career.

But, sir, whatever may be your claims, we well know that in these times of political revolution and party violence, none can predict with certainty. It may be your destiny to fill the highest oflBce in the gift of your countrymen - it may be that the laurel will entwine the brow of some more fortunate competitor, but, should the issue of the contest be against you. we shall still look to your well-tried patriotism, which never has suffered any abatement of its vigor and zeal amidst all your trials.

Having seen your answer to the citizens of Vincennes upon the subject of a public dinner, we should expose our motives to suspicion it we were now to tender a similar compliment as further evidence of our respect and attachment.

Air. Clay responded with a brief, cordial reply, expressing- his gratitude for "the lively manifestations of joy and felicitation of which mv arrival has been the occasion," and said : "In this remote point, more than eight hundred miles from the capital of the union, it's impossible not to recognize the cementing tendency of that national road which already has reached vour town and passed on still farther west. Who can be on anv part of this great road without feeling that its physical connection increases much the strength of the moral and political ties which happily bind us together?"

Greater Terre Haute Axd Vigo Couxty

\\'abash river to the present time it has had to do with the development of the nation in such a way as no other city in the west can boast. Connected with its history are sucli names as Harrison, Thompson, \'igo, Hanna, and a host of others known to the student of national afifairs.

Following are some of the historic places that still stand in Terre Haute, each possessing an atmosphere and memory of past events ard personalities.

The Colonel Dick Thompson home, as it is familiarl\- known, is situated at 1200 South Sixth street, and is occupied bv D. E. Reagan. The house was built by H. D. Williams and later sold to Sam McDonald,, a wealthy and dissolute young man who fled from Baltimore, Maryland, to avoid punishment for a hot-headed act in which he is said to have killed a man. The place became the scene of orgies until it passed from McDonald's hands. Colonel Richard W. Thompson becoming the owner. Colonel Thompson was at that time president of the Panama Canal commission. It was here that Colonel Thompson died in 1900.

The Preston home on East Poplar street was built by Alajor Deweese about 1830. It stands today well back from Poplar street, an example of early architecture in Terre Haute. On the exterior it has been left unchanged. At front and back it has the long verandas of the colonial st\le of architecture.

The old State Bank building, on Ohio street, opposite the court house, was built soon after the founding of the bank in 1834. It is now used as a second-hand store. In architecture it is of the Grecian style, with massive columns in front. It stands a monument to the earlv banking achievement of Terre Haute and may be looked upon as the cradle of the city's excellent financial institutions of todav.

The Thomas Dowling home at Fifth and First avenue was erected about the beginning of the war of, the rebellion. It is a large frame structure, built along room after room, on generous lines, and is the pioneer home of the northwest part of the citv.

The Early House, now a saloon and rooming house, occupies the site of the first tavern in Terre Haute. Historv takes one back to the time the first traveler along the National road stopped at the inn on the bank of the Wabash and sought a night's lodging. There he found a rude log tavern. The place was for a great many years the chief hostelrv of Terre Flaute. It was later called the Early House, where it became a hotel in fact.

The ]\IcGregor home long stood as an example of grandeur in Terre Haute residence building. Its builder, the late Alexander AIcGregor, was a wholesale grocer and first owner of the Fairbanks distillerv. About the time the Civil war broke out he erected the home at Sixth and Chestnut streets, which still bears his name. It was built after the style of the Scotch baronial mansions and was surrounded by a beautiful park. It is now used as a rooming house for young women of the State Normal School.