The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-12
OLD ABE, the VETERAN.

VLV ADM AUM M N0ANs
sold Abe" the famous war eagle of
Wisconsin, whose name is known to al
most every man, woman and child in the
United States, died on Saturday. The
telegraph announced his death, but the
Wisconsin State Journal has some inter-
esting incidents in his eventful life.
The severe weather of the past few
months has obliged the keeper George
Giliies, to keep his charge closely con-
fined, much to the latter's disgust, who
pleaded hard and constantly to be al
lowed to take the air. A week ago Sat-
urday night, the old bird was as well as
ever; Sunday he refused food although
the most tempting viands were spread be-
fore him. Through the week medical aid
was supplied, but by Friday he showed
lung difficulties, and went into spasms.
Saturday afternoon at 4:30 O'Clock, in the
presence of Quartermaster General
George E. Bryant, "Old Abe" passed
away while in the arms of his keeper.
All that could have been done for q
human being had been done, and his
loss was as deeply felt as though a
valued human public servant had gone
to the hereafter. The remains are to be
stuffed by Major c. G. Mayors, and de-
posted in the State Historical rooms
duly encased in glass, and the record of
his battles emblazoned on a neighboring
shield The old soldiers at first wanted
the veteran buried at Forest hill, with an
appropriate monument reared over his
bones, but this plan was finally given
hat
could be kept for any length of time, in
the manner first suggested.
CAPTURE OF THE BIRD.
In July or early August, 1861, young
Indian, about twenty rive years of age,
named A ge-mah we-ge-zhig Chief sky
one of the Lake Flam beau band of
Chippewas, captured two young eagles
from q nest on the bluffs of the Flambeau
rapids, 20 miles from the river mouth,
and about l25 miles from the Eau Claire.
Chief Sky and another Indian cut the
tree down, amid the menaces Of the
parent birds: the nest as "big as a
washtub, made of sticks. turf and
weeds, they preserved, one of
the fedglings died, and the other
Chief Sky nursed, as plaything for the
pappooses at the Indian village. A few
weeks after, while en- route to Chippewa
Falls and Eau Claire, the eagle-captor
sold his pet to one Daniel McCann for a
bushel of corn, Mccain tried to sell the
bird to company forming at the Falls
for the First Wisconsin Battery; upon
their failing to buy it, he proceeded to
Eau Claire, where a company, organic
ing for the Eighth Infantry. became the
purchasers for $3.50 This was in
August, 1861, when the eaglet, a true
American specimen, was about two
months old.
The bird, duly decorated with a TO-
settle, and made much of by the Eau
Claire ladies'. departed for Madison with
Captain John 4. Perkins company Sept
6. The eagle commenced to act nobly
on his perch, and before arrival at the
capital became a veritable pet. At La
Crosse, en- route, there was considerable
enthusiasm over the war bird, and a
Madison the eagle company was received
with great eclat, the State Journal o.
Sept. 10, 1861, thus announcing tn,
event:
IAN incident occurred yesterday al
the Chippewa company arrived at CAM
Randall. They bore in advance OF then
aplatforu on which was live eagle
surmounted by small American flag
Just as they entered the camp the eagl
expanded his wings and seized the fla,
in his beak. The incident attracte,
much attention, and if it had happene,
in other days. in . Roman camp, woul,
have been regarded by the augurs as
singularly favorable omen"
At Chicago, on the way TO the 'front.'
Oct. 12-there was another ovation, th
entire regiment now enjoying the homo
of being tine esgle-besrers. The cit
papers OF the time were enthusiastic owe
the living symbol of the nations grsa'
mess. At st. Louis "Old Abe" = b