was hand-made, very strong, the wood maple and hickory, and a great deal of thought with faithful workmanship had gone into its construction. The seat was very elastic. It consisted of a network of deer-thongs covered with buckskin, so that it yielded gently to every varying pressure or movement of the person. The back slats were each curved with a due regard to exactly fitting the part of the form leaning against it, the lowest having, as it should, great curvature. The chair arms were a curiosity, inasmuch as each terminated in a knob in which were cut grooves to admit the spreading fingers of a sitter, while resting in comfort.

Tecumseh Smitten with Rebecca Galloway. -Having shown me the arm-chair, Mr. Galloway gave me some anecdotes of the great Indian chief. "Tecumseh," said he,

was

a young man of about thirty years when my grandfather first moved into Greene county. He lived some fifteen or twenty miles away. They became great friends, Tecumseh being a frequent visitor. Whether the chief was attracted by friendship for grandfather or his fancy for his daughter, my aunt Rebecca, was at first a matter of conjecture; it was soon evident, however, that he was smitten with the "white girl," but according to the Indian custom he made his advances to the father, who referred him to his daughter.

Although Tecumseh was brave in battle he was timid in love, and it was a long time before he could get his courage up to the stickingpoint, which he did finally and proposed, offering her fifty broaches of silver. She declined, telling him she did not wish to be a wild woman and work like an Indian squaw. He replied that she need not work, as he I would make her a great squaw. Notwithstanding his rejection, he ever remained friendly with the family.

Tecumseh on a Spree.-The books speak of Tecumseh having been a large man; but this, I can assure you, was not so; he was but a moderate-sized Indian. He was fond of "fire-water," and would go on a spree sometimes, when he would become very troublesome and provoking. On one occasion, when at the shop of "Blacksmith" James Galloway (a cousin of my grandfather's who lived on the banks of Mad River). Tecumseh, being on one of his big "drunks," became very insulting and annoying. Galloway grew angry, and being a very powerful man took him, much to his disgust, and tied him up to a tree until he became more sober and quiet.

THE SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS' HOME.

This noble institution of the State is located at Xenia. The Home farm consists of 275 acres, on a healthful site a mile southeasterly from the centre of the town and about three-quarters from the depot of the Little Miami railroad.

The buildings consist of an administration building with large dining-room attached, the two forming an Egyptian cross; twenty cottages, ten on each side of the administration building, a school-house, chapel, hospital, laundry, industrial building, engine room, gas houses and all necessary farm-buildings. The build

1

ings are substantial brick structures, except the industrial and farm-buildings and green houses,

The administration building has three stories, and is occupied by the officers and teachers; the cottages are two stories high, and are arranged to accommodate thirty-four children each; the school-house is three stories high, and will accommodate nearly 700 children. The chapel has a seating capacity of 700; the hospital is well arranged for the care of the sick. The building annexed to the administration building, known as the Domestic building, is three stories in height, the basement being occupied by the kitchen and bakery; the second story is the. children's dining-room, with a seating capacity of nearly 700; the third story contains sleeping apartments for certain of the employees, and the linen and storè rooms. The children all sleep in the cottages, each cottage being under the charge of a matron. The principal buildings are heated by steam, lighted by gas and supplied with water from the water-tower in the rear. This water originally came from Shawnee creek, which runs through the grounds.

The large view was taken from a standpoint in the forest north of the cottages. It shows just half of them and the administration building, the other half being on the other side of that building. They are about 1800 feet from the road to Xenia, and form a continuous line of 1500 feet. The ground in front is a grassy lawn, sloping down through an open forest, beyond which, on a little lower ground near the road, winds Shawnee creek, a mere rivulet which is crossed by a bridge. On the path side, as the visitor enters the ground, he is greeted by a floral design speaking from the ground itself, a single word only-"WELCOME."

It was a morning late in the autumn when we entered the place, and found the children scattered on the lawn enjoying themselves, playing at games in the bright sunshine. It was our second visit, after a lapse of a year and a half. A little later, while adjusting the camera for the picture, the music sounded from the boys' band in the distance near the school-house, summoning them to school. Looking up we saw the boys in their neat military costumes arranged in companies in front of the cottages as shown in the picture. In one place was a platoon of urchins in zouave costumes: red leggings and red fez. In another, one girl in the bright garb of a vivandier, at the end of a platoon of boys. It was indeed a charming picture. A few minutes elapsed; we were too busy to look up. When we did, not a soul was to be seen; not a sound was heard. It was a surprise to us, the sudden change. The whole, some 600 strong, boys and girls, had been hived

in the school-house seen in the extreme distance.

It is the custom of the superintendent, Maj. Noah Thomas, an armless ex-soldier who carries an empty sleeve, to take a stand on the steps of the administration building on these occasions, and as the companies of boys march by they give him the military salute.

Historical Sketch.-The initiatory steps toward the establishment of a SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' ORPHANS' HOME were taken in 1869 by the Grand Army of the Republic. Its purpose was to secure necessary funds through private beneficence, believing that having placed the project well on foot the State would take it up and carry it to its consummation. On June 21, 1869, a meeting was held in the city hall at Xenia to devise the ways and means for perfecting the plan. On July 13th a second meeting was held therein and addressed by Gov. Hayes, Congressman Winans, Capt. Earnshaw and others. Subscriptions to the amount of $16,500 were guaranteed, Eli Millen, Lester Arnold and J. C. McMillen subscribing $1,000 each.

In the meantime the citizens of Xenia and

representatives of the Grand Army of the Republic were actively at work; a desirable location in the vicinity of Xenia was selected, and the press advocated the immediate erection of buildings.

The Grand Army of the Republic appointed a board of control consisting of Gen. Geo. B. Wright, Maj. M. S. Gunckel, Col. H. G. Armstrong, Eli Millen, Judge White, Mrs. R. B. Hayes, Mrs. H. L. Monroe and Mrs. Ann E. McMeans, which met October 11th and agreed to accept the location offered by the people of Xenia.

Contracts were made for the erection of four cottages. In anticipation of the early establishment of the "Home," a number of children had been gathered at Xenia and temporary provision made by leasing quarters