Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-12-18
HOW JAcKsoN's HEAD WAS STOLEN,
Story of q Midnight Deed That Excited
the Whole Nation at One Time.

the Whole Nation at One Time.
In recognition of valuable services, and
also as an honor offered the warlike presi-
dent, patriotic and grateful Boston placed
on the bow of the frigate Constitution a
marvelously we'll carved life size figure of
General jackson. The most skillful carver
of these wooden statues was employed,
and gave the figure a vigor of pose and
likeness to the original seldom found in
such work.
Along, full cloak fell from the shoulders,
one hand was thrust into the breast of the
coat, and the other grasped a. scroll; while
the head was held proudly, and one foot
slightly advanced gave the general an ener-
getic and commanding posture, when with
befitting ceremonies they firmly fastened
the fgurehead to the bow of the brave
ship.
The making and placing of this figure
head was entirely the doing of the presi-
dents political supporters and friends, and
those opposed to the presidential policy
warmly resented the action. Enemies of
Jackson insisted on the figures removal,
but the old frigate calmly bobbed up and
down in the blue bay, the figure of "Old
Hickory" gazed sternly seaward and for a
time nothing at all was done by those who
wished the figure removed.
1t was in Boston bay that the mysterious
unloading of the tea ship had taken place
many years before, and early one July
morning the old town, the Constitutions
crew and her officers discovered to their
CONSERVATION that a second curious and
secret attack had been made over night.
General Jackson's wooden head had been
sawed off just along the upper lip and was
not to be found! No specter, but a very
human hand had welded the saw that ac-
complished the wicked work, and a half
headlesss figure faced the sea from its
place on the CONSTITUTIONS bow.
The ships company, as we'll as officers of
the law and reporters of indignant news
papers,, went searching and advertising for
the clever scamp who, evading the ships
guards, had under the cover of darkness
committed the peculiar crime. A long and
careful investigation did not bring the
criminals to justice, though Commodore
Elliott offered $1,000 reward for any in.
formation concerning the act.
A year later the Constitution came down
to New York bay, and a second head, made
for the purpose, was quietly bolted on in
place of the lost one. General Jackson's
administration closed not long after all
excitement over political matters abated,
and nowadays the famous figurehead can
be seen at the Annapolis Naval academy
where there are many others nearly as well
known.
So much for the figure; but now for the
lost head which had so mysteriously dis
appeared from its place.
Three years after the unexplained de-
capitation in Boston harbor a man, Cap.
tain Dewey by name, and a native of Cape
Cod, asked for an interview with Mahlou
Dickerson, the secretary of the navy. To
the secretary's surprise, Captain Dewey
produced the missing half of General Jack
sons head. After receiving the secretary's
assurance that no punishment would be
laid upon him. Captain Dewey proudly
old his story:
Near midnight he and a friend rowed out
in a small boat to where the big vessel lay,
and by the aid of a rope and the hawsers
contrived to scale the tall bows. With ever
watchful eyes and ears for the not too vigi.
liant guards, Captain Dewey crept out over
the water, and, hugging the General close,
piled a small, sharp saw. At the first at.
tempt the saw struck a bolt that fastened
the head to the body: but on the second
trial he cut his prize entirely off, lowered
it to the little boat, slid quietly down, and
rowed away, c%huckling over his own clever.
ness n the surprise in store for the crew
and crown. Patriotism and a love of ex.
citing and adventurous undertakings led
him to risk his life in the adventure
Margaret Bisland in St. Nicholas.