The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-11-06

4 when he passed away. While he was
great favorite generally it is no won
der that he was such light and Joy
In the family, and that the life Of the
parents was so tenderly bound up in
his own. His death was n terrible
blow to them, and the wound Of their
bereavement WAS still fresh and sore
when Mr.. Dow came to Washington.
Mrs. Lincoln told him that she had
been expecting to hear from Willie for
some time. and expressed strong de-
sire that his wishes respecting Big
Eagles liberation should be carried
out The conversation, which was
deeply interesting, lasted for more
than half an hour, aud Mr.. Dow re-
tired with the assurance that Mrs.
Lincoln would lay the whole matter
before her husband, aud use her in
fiuence in behalf OF the prospect we
measure. but 1t was necessary for
Mr. Dow to see the President him
self. Fora private citizen to get q
conference with the President at that
time was not easy, and to approach
him with request to lberate a con-
demned warrior would seem simply =
piece Of folly. II was just before the
Presidential election. There was great
excitement throughout the country,
and the government was crowded
with business. Mr.. Lincoln himself
was pressed down by manifold cares
and labors, aud harrassed almost to
death by public interests of great mo-
ment, and by constant engagements.
Nevertheless, an interview was grant.
ed Mr.. Dow, at which the President
showed that he had been put In pos
session of the matter of Willie's letter.
In discussing the subject, while he
seemed struggling with suppressed
emotion, it was clear that he sought
conscientiously to do his duty. His
inquiries were pertinent and search
ing, but all the while 1t was plain
that the memory Of his dear boy was
working at his great strong heart.
Finally, the last point on which he
wished to be quite satisfied was con-
cerning Mr.. Dow's responsible char
acter and standing. Ample evidence
on this score was afforded him by 3
letter which Mr.. Dow bore from Hon.
Hannibal Hamlin, the Vice President.
The interview terminated as Mr.. Dow
had hoped. The President gave him
an order, written hastily with lead
pencil on slip of paper, for the re-
lease of the Indian Chief, and the
same day met him again by appoint
ment for further explanations. This
order, though expressing Mr.. Lin
coins wishes. owing to its informality,
WAS not obeyed. After some delay
another was procured on the strength
of the first, through the military de.
partrnent ut Washington. =
This identical order MIR. Dow sent
to James Thompson, Esq, well
known and highly respected citizen ol
Davenport, and also friend Of mine
who was convefsant with all the pro.
ceedings thus far in the case, with the
request that he should see to the ex-
ecution Of II. Mr.. Thompson at once
presented the document to Captain
Judd, commandant of the prison, who
declined to obey without further in
structions, treating the bearer as If he
were the victim of some delnsion. A
remark of the Captains, that they
were not accustomed to obey spirits,
whether their orders came through
adjutant generals or anybody else,
will show how Mr.. Thompson's ap-
/ piication WAS received ut the prison.
1t happened that the sentry on guard
that day was a spiritnalist, and hear
ing the conversation which from all
accounts was pretty spicy-between
the Captain and Mr.. Thompson. gave
the latter an opportunity to converse
with Big Eagle through an interpre-
ter, so that the Chief had the pleasure
OF hearing what had been done for
him. Mr. Dow was notified At Wash
ington of this failure, aud immediately
proceeded to work up the matter,
/ though with considerable difficulty
to successful issue. Some sort oil
red tape had been the hinderance, and
when certain technical objections
were settled between the Federal
authority and that of the State where
the convict was sentenced, the way
was clear. So, upon Mr.. Dow's arri
val in Davenport, he, in company
with his friend Thompson. on apply.
ing at Post Mcclellan, had the pleas.
ure. after little delay, of seeing Big
Eagle set at liberty.
Mr. Dow had not communicated
with Mrs. Conant or any of her friend.
the news of his success; ia fact, thu
operations connected with the mattel
which had commanded his service,
for several weeks, had been kept
profound secret but Oh the very daN
that the order for the release Of BIZ
Eagle was carried, Mrs. Conant wrot,
letter, purporting to be from Littl,
Crow, congrstulating Mr.. Dow on th,
issue OF his efforts. aud thanking hin
for his labors. Mr.. Dow states alst
that when he called on Mrs. Conan
at his next visit to Boston, the spiri
of Little Crow, as she affirmed, mad,
her get down on her knees and ex
press the gratitude he felt for the goo'
that had been accomplished by tn
Liberation of his brother chief. 1t /
worthy of note that the effect Of Bi
Eagles release did seem beneficial
aud there is reason to believe that b
used a wholesome and restraining in
fiuence among his people.
The remainder of the Sioux prisoner
were set at liberty in April 1866, bein
taken by the way to st. Louis to til
reservation to Neobarrah (runnin
water, in the northeast corner ,
Nebraska. Lieutenant Mitchell, CON
, manding Company c., Third Unite
Regulars, and charge of their transpol
i, tation, which was quietly and happil
conducted"
, Accompanying the article is . pol