The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-27
ReminIscenceu of RED Jacket.

An old citizen of Buffalo gives the Commercial
Advertiser of that city the following reminis-
Genees Of the celebrated Indian chief Red
Jacket
I'm the summer of 1896 l was serving the
balance Of my apprenticeship with Stocking d
Dart, on the corner OF Swan and Main streets.
boarded at Dyer's Hotel, stone building on
the corner OF Exchange and Main streets, where
Jebb's Terrapin Lunch is now. About the time
Ispeak OF, Red Jacket, with some other Indians,
had been in Buffalo for several days, samplng
the fire water dispensed by the various publ.
cans. SO long had the spree continued that the
red men had exhausted their small supply OF
cash, and most Of them had even parted with
their blankets.
II was going back TO my breakfast one morn
ing-we used 10 90 to the shop and work before
breakfast in those days, Just to give ue an appe-
tte-and was passing the slversmith's shop OF
Bob -, which was situated about where
Glenny's crockery store is now, when Bob
hailed me. On going into the shop he showed
me large silver medal, and asked me what
thought of that asked him where he got It, and
he replied:--I bought 1t of an Indian last night
for four shilllngs.' He asked me If thought II
was good silver. Ireplied that it certainly was,
and told him it was Red Jackets medal, the one
that had been placed about the neck OF the chief
by General Washington himself.
hadn't much spare money in those days. !
was obliged to clothe myself out Of my salary of
forty-6ve dollars year; bat told Bob that he
must neither melt nor sell the metal, and |
would get the tour shillings, redeem 1t and re-
turn it to Red Jacket went down to my board
pence from one, a shilling from another, and
some threw In pennies, until the desired amount
was raised, withlwhich Immediately returned
to Bob's, who took the money and delivered me
the metal. After going back and getting my
breakfast l, instead Of returning to my work,
went out to hunt up Red jacket. In about half
an hour came across him, walking along in
company with old Susie, halfsquaw and half
negress, in front of Jake Slebold's store on Main
street. / said, To-gus, goda Jacketp (How do
you do, friend JacketD He replied 'togu5,' in
surly tone, and appeared to be considerably
cross.q
II then pulled the medal out of my pocket,
showed it TO him, and asked him II he knew it.
Snatching it from my hand with very surly
and emphatic Ugh y he stalked off with Susie,
without the utteranCe Of another syllable. l
thought he might have thanked me, at least.n
CThis medal is now in possession of Colonel
Ely Parker, granddaughter of Red Jacket, and
General Grants chief of staff, and is, of course
from the associations connected with 1t, above
when Lafayette visited Buffalo in 1926" our
| old friend continued, after silence of some
minutes, 81 belonged to the Rife Corps, com
! manded, l think, by Brdseye Wilcox, which
| escorted Lafayette from the steamboat to the
| Eagle Tavern, where the reception was to take
| place. / happened to be stationed near the
! platform in front of the door, on which were a
number of distinguished individuals, including
| Lafayette, Red Jacket and others. After
| Red Jacket had been introduced to the illus
trous Marquis, the latter requested the inter
| prefer, Pascal p. Pratt, an uncle OF our present
worthy citizen of that name, who spoke the
| language of the Seneca5 huently, TO inquire oil
| Red Jacket what had become of the young chic
who so strenuously and eloquently opposed tue
| was repeated to Jacket, he drew himself proudly
up, appearing to me at least six inches taller
than he really was, and, placing his hand upon
| his breast replied, Tell him he stands before
him. Never in my lite," continued oui
| friend, "did / see a movement of such noble
| dignity and grace performed by any other man.