The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-12-02
How jeff. Davis Went out to Cow
hide a Wisconsin Boy, and How
he didn't do it.

How jeff Davis Went out to Cow
hide Wisconsin Boy, and How
he didn't do it.
From the Milwaukee sentinel, Nov. ..
1t is probably known to very few Of
the present citizens Of our State, that
Wisconsin has the high distinction Of
having given Mr.. Jefferson Davis, ex-
President Of the Confederate States,
his first public whipping.
1t should be remembered that Master
jeff was educated for the army at the
expense of the government he SO un-
gratefully betrayed, and entered the
service AS lean, lank, imperious, over
at Fort Howard and Fort Winnehago
about the years 1929 to 1881. In 1880 or
1881 he was stationed at the latter post,
where the circumstances we are about to
relate occurred. For year or two pre-
vious Il Buckeye boy named Stcwart-a
full sized well built muscular man, and
as good-natured rs All elephant-had
been in the employ of Judge Arndt, of
called Mackinaw boats, with which
most of the river transportation Was
done. AT the time we are speaking of,
Stewart was engaged in mechanical
work at Fort Winnebago, where Davis
was stationed.
JEFF, in the meantime, had become
enamored OF a pretty young woman of
semi-aboriginal origin, or, in plain
English, half breed, and was very
jealous Of any attention bestowed upon
her by others.
From some cause or other the monster
within him fixed his green eyes upon
Stewart, and he swore by all the buttons
on his coat that he would cowhide the
miserable Yankee out of his skin The
idea of such II miserable wisp of skin
and bones attacking such a built man
as Stewart was preposterous enough,
and his threats were regarded rs mere
Southern gasconade. But jeff evident
ly calculated, as he did on Il later occa-
sion, that the low-born plebian would
never dare to resist Il highbo South
eruer, but would crouch and take all
that he might see fit to lay on, and SO,
providing himself with good cowhide,
he watched his opportunity.
The desired occasion was not long de-
layed. One evening, after the days
work was ended as Stewart was walk
ing ia front of the Fort, Davis came out,
aud without ceremony began to lay 1t
on But he found, as he did in the re-
belion, that there were two parties to
the controversy. 4 blow or two was
sufficient to arouse the lion, and Stew
art, as he turned upon him, planted his
left digits under Jetfs right ribs, and
his right ones under his left ear, aud
knocked him end over end. Stewart
was not Il professional pugilist, and did
not wait for his adversary to rise, but
pounced upon him like tiger, and lay.
ing Jeffs wrists side by side OH his
chest, held them both as with a vice in
his left hand and kept his right hand
ready for further action. Poor Davis,
blows he had received, squrincd and
twisted in van.- There he was, fast as
if he was in the iron arms Of Il gulllotine
and at the mercy of his adversary. BY
this time Stewart had became quite
cool, and told Davis he deserved u good
pounding; But said he, "lf you will
take back what you have said about rlc,
and agree to let me alone, l will let you
up without further injury"
No, he would never do any such
thing.
Then Stewart began to slap Jeff's
face, first on this side and then on the
other, and then repeated his demand
for the pledge, and JEFF again refused.
Then he pulled his nose and twisted it,
and slapped his face some more. In the
meantime the garrison was all lastir, and
General, then Major Twiggs, the same
that went over to the rebellion with his
whole command of the United States
troops stationed i'm Texas, giant Of Il
man physically, standing about six feet
six aud of full proportions, but con
fcssed coward withal, came out and
peremptoriiy ordered Stewart to let
Davis up, an order which, as command
cr of the Fort, he could have executed
summarily if he had had pluck enough