The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-04-11
BLACK HAWK.
A Portrait of that Noted
Warrior.
How the Sketch came into
Existence.


9 Existence.
g. T. s. Carrolo, the sculptor engaged
at the marble works Of G.. w. Robertson
s. Co. has in his possession an ink drawing
of Black Hawk. the Indian chief, whose
exploits during the years 1929 to 1889 are
still fresh in the memories of the old and
new settlers of this city and county The
picture is believed to be the only authentic
likeness of the deceased chief now extant.
1t differs SO widely from the pictures usual
~ seen of that individual that it is claimed
the majority of Representations are ideal
sketches.
Mr.. CoRR0Lo
is an enthusiastic devotee of art in all its
many phases, and has collected during his
life varied and interesting assortment OF
relics, such as rare books, pictures and
other articles of kindred nature. During
his residence in Boston, Mass, he became
acquainted with French family by the
name of Canot who were also artists of no
mean order Their tastes lead them to
adopt the crayon, and among their earth
~ possessions were heterogeneous gather
ing of pictures, and sketches. In this col
lection was
THE PORTRAIT
of one of the aoorigines of America, whose
high cheekbenes, large mouth and general
homely face made it an object of
more than passing interest The picture
was executed in ink, and represented the
subject in half length; his head bare, I'm
adorned with feathers; his black hair fall
ling in graceful and natural prefusion
about the head. The only garment visible
in the picture is the blanket, which is
folded about his breast in most martial
and attractive manner.
as to the subject of the picture, which
gave every evidence of being aged, revealed
the fact that it was Black Hawk, the noted
Indian chief.
1t appears that in 1882, when Black
Hawk was captured by the Pottowatomie
shiefs, after the termination of the Black
Hawk war, he was returned to the United
states authorities at Prairie du Chen. He
vas conveyed to Washington, and for a
fine was held prisoner at Fortress Mon
zoe. Subsequently he returned to the
West and died at the Sac and Fox agency,
Iowa, in 1888.
DURING HIS STAY
It Washington, Young Canot was engaged |
n sketching notable Americans for the |
French illustrated papers. His artistic
aste caused him to select the imprisoned
brave" as a fit subject for his pencil. |
some difficulty was experienced in secur- |
ne Black Hawks permission. to lend his
part to the project. Finally the Indian
vas taken to Fortress Monroe, and here he |
nd his artistic friend came to be very in
innate.
A picture was made of him just as he
var paint, and was not even supplied |
With feathers, bear claws, or the other orna-
nents usually found upon the person
f such a noted chief All these trophies
f the chase had been taken away from
i'm by his keeper, and he was in his nat
Iral state with the exception of the cloth
ng which was given him at the prison.
he blanket which did service as cover
n by night served as wrap during the
ay, and his picture represents him as he
ppeared in his cell with no arrangements
r artificial effects.
THE PICTURE WAS
tanned and gave unmistakeable signs of
aving been in existence for many years.
When the portrait was completed Canot
laced very high price upon it, and refus-
d to part with it until the purchaser
ournals made offers but no agreement
,as arrived at, and the picture was never
DID,
Shortly afterward Black Hawk was re-
1rned to the West. and the excitement in
dental to his capture died out. The
therefore, refused to increase
leir offer, and the artist threw it among
is collection, where it was found after
is death.
THE PRESENT OWNER
imired it and spoke of how it might be
great benefit to him in case he should
esire to design an Indian statue. 1t was
presented to him by the artists
The picture is a relic of great interest
specially to the residents of this county,
here Black Hawks tower and Black
awk township bear evidence of the exis-
.nce of the noted Indian warrior.
BOTH SCARED.
Last Sunday evening a Young attorney /,