Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-07-27
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WILL 4hQnblO1Os
Tia Bshssding of the "oonsttuiion's - rigurehsad
Samuel Worthington Dewey was {
somewhat eccentric Cape Cod captain
at times one of the Lords unaccounta
bles, and just the man for reckless aci
or daring exploit. He had lately re.
turned from the West Indies with car.
60 of sugar, and his employers, the firm
of Henry 4 William Lincoln, having dis.
posed Of both ship and cargo, our cap.
tain was entirely at leisure at the partic-
ular period Of our story, and the old
adage was proved that Satan finds
mischief still,'' etc. One day, while sit
ing in the counting-room Of this firm, on
Central wharf, the conversation turned
upon the subject of the desecration Of
the old ship, as the indignant Wings at
that time Of great political excitement
deemed it, when Dewey remarked, 81
have great mind to go over there some
night and cut off that head;' to which
the junior partner of that firm replied,
rather in bantering way, dewey, II
you will do that, I'll give you hundred
dollars.n s.Doner' said Dewey: ~ will
take that.
But at the moment his challenger did
not dream it would be done, and thought
no more Of it In the course Of O week,
or thereabouts, Dewey informed these
friends that he had .sbeen over 10 the
nayy-yard accommodating, and had made
up his mind that he could do it.'' Still.
as the captain was little erratic and
uncertain, the matter was not seriouslv
considered by these merchants. 81
A few mornings afterwards. as these
gentlemen were coming down town to
business, they observed, as they neared
Change and the State Street sidewalks.
that many were chatting on the broad
grin, and that evidently there was news
in town, when some mutual friends
stopped them with the startling intelli-
gence that the jackson figurehead on the
old "Constitution'' had last nipht been
decapitated. I was then d lad Ii New
Hampshire town where there was a
"Jacksonite'' majority, and l distinctly
remember the warmth and indeed rage
of the discussions ..of those Jacksonites''
upon the streets, on the one side, and
the glee and enjoyment Of the adams
ites," on the other. Political rancor in
these days is nothing in comparison
The specific dates are Of no consequence
here; but, the occasion soon offering it.
self, one dark and stormy night, amid
thunder and lightning. CAPTAIN Dewey.
provided with q gimlet and saw. let
himself down into a little fiat-bottomed
skiff from Battery Wharf, and padded
away for Charlestown and the shin in
question, which at the time was anchor
ed in the streans, about ready for sea.
and off the navy-yard. He had recent
ly noticed a small pendent rome dangling
over her side, within reach; this. When
alongside, he made fast to, and Chamber
ing up her great walls, entered o port
hole upon the gun-deck, and CREEPING
forward to the bride port, went out Of
that, and upwards, till he reached the
spar or upper deck. He could hear the
steps Of the marine guard on duty, and
amid the flashes of the lightning he could
distinctly see him pacing to and fro.
and was obliged to govern his move.
ments accordingly. for at times he came
within four feet Of him. At length our
adyenturer perched himself under The
bowsprit, and obtaining standing Mace
in the foot-ropes, bored the gimlet for a
handle into the presidential head and
worked away with his saw at the throat.
Here he soon found resistance IN 4 stont
copper bolt, which was 4 perpendicular