Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-02-18
WHITE BEAVER.
Remarkable Career Of Chicago Drug Clerk.

count of his proficiency as prescrip
ton clerk. My father, Mr.. f. A. Bryan
OF Chicago, was in those days one o.
the best known and oldest prescription
druggists of Chicago, and had the repu.
tation of being the most particular in
regard to his clerks of any pharmacist
in the garden city. | mention this in
order to show that even then Frank was
noted for the qualities which have made
him character in the history of this
country.
As young man, Frank would never
be taken for one who would become a
typical border hero. Our family were
astonished and could hardly believe
that Frank Powell was the person
meant when years after we read of his
exploits and daring on the western
frontier
White Beaver, as he is now called by
the Indians of the northwest, was as |
remember him in the days when we
were fellow clerks, quite tall, almost
six feet, eyes and hair dark, the latter
inclined to curl, wiry, athletic and
strong. but with decided student
stoop which made him appear not more
than OF average height. He was very
quick in his motions and very industri-
Gus, and you would never find any dust
or dirt about the store while Frank was
in charge of it. He was hard student
with most remarkable memory. He
never forgot anything. apparently.
JAS. DuLuce, who was Franks Masonic
instructor, claimed that he, Frank, was
the best posted Mason in Chicago.
| have gone into little details, be-
cause DR.. Powell has become public
man, and may some day become well
known in national politics No human
power can thwart his ambition if he
enters the political field in earnest,
He has all the qualities that go to make
up leader of men. Even as boy he
was famous for his kindness, sympathy
with the poor or oppressed, and for
that quick decision which his La Crosse
friends tell me he still possesses in a
marked degree. No one who knew
him twenty years ago pictured him
anything but studious. smart and
capable prescription clerk Had life
gone smoothly with him the plains
would have had one hero the less, and
the frontier would have lost border
man whose name is household word
in the west. A hasty and i'll advised
marriage led to Powell's departure
from Chicago, aud the misery resulting
therefrom made him reckless and
daring borderman and for awhile a
dweller among the savage Indians of
the Rocky mountains Learning that
supposed friend had taken advantage
of his temporary absence to betray his
honor, Frank threw up the army po-
siton which he was holding AID devoted
his time to hunting down the man who
had betrayed him. He encountered
him a couple of years after and shot
him dead He then gave himself up to
the authorities, and western jury gave
him the verdict of ''served him right. :"
As scout he became famous. No
living man has seen more of genuine
frontier life than he.
went to La Crosse few weeks ago
and stayed few days with my old COM
rade. He Is the same Frank as of old.
The gentle influence of his present wife,
whom he worships, has wcaned him
from the wild border life.
One would never learn of the past of
White Beaver except through others.
| have followed Frank through the
press for the past twenty years, which
places me in possession of facts not
generally known regarding him. While
at La Crosse | saw my friend do shoot
ing in his private gallery which would
make his fortune before the public; but
he only shoots for the amusement Of
his friends occasionally. The doctor
now weighs over two hundred pounds,
and is every inch a man. He is re
speeted and admired by the so-caled
better class, and worshiped by the
masses. Knowing White Beaver, say
that if he ever becomes governor o
Wisconsin he will become as great
character in the Badger state history
as is Daniel Boone in that of Kentucky
Mayor Powell smiled when | asked hin
if he had political aspirations and salt
to me, Erred, my friends love me Sc
well that they cannot see my faults
but, dear boy. gubernatorial cam
paign would make me out hideous
bloodthirSty monster, and little chill
dren would be taught by my opponent
to look upon me as Bette notr. No
Fred, am contented, let me remain
so. ="
Well, Frank, may good luck 90 wit
you, and may the world yet know you
noble nature as does your old friend.
FRED W. BRYAN.