Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-12-05
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A CURIOUS RELIC.
How Gen. JaclssoR's Head Was Stolen
From tho Frlgnte Consultation.

How Gen. JaclssoR's Head Was Stolen
From tho Frigate Constitution.
In recognition of valuable services,
and also as an honor offered the war
like president patriotic and grateful
Boston placed on the bow of the frigate
Constitution a marvellously well-carv-
Cd, life-size figure of Gen. jackson.
The most skillful carver of these wood
en- statues was employed, and gave the
figure vigor of pose and likeness to
the original seldom found in such work
A long, full cloak fell from the shoul-
ders, one hand was thrust into the
breast of the coat and the other grasped
scroll; while the head was held proud
ly and oae foot slightly advanced gave
the general an energetic and command
ing posture, when with befitting cere-
monies they firmly fastened the figure
head to the bow of the brave ship.
The making and placing of this figure
head was entirely the doing of the pres
idents political supporters and friends,
and those opposed to the presidential
policy warmly resented the action.
Enemies Of jackson insisted on the
figures removal, but tho old frigate
calmly bobbed up and down in the
blue bay, the figure of ''Old Hickory"
gazing sternly sesward, and for time
nothing at all was done by those who
wished the figure removed.
1t was in Boston bay that the myste-
rious unloading of the tea ship had talk
en- place many years before; and early
one July morning the old town. the
Constitutions crew and her officers dis
covered to their CONSERVATION that q
second curious and secret attack had
been made over night.
Gen. Jackson's wooden head had been
sawed off just along the upper lip and
was not to be found! No specter, but
q very human hand had welded the
saw that accomplished the wicked
work, and a half-headless figure faced
the sea from its place on the Constitu-
tion's bow.
The ships company, as well as Of
ficers of the law and reporters of insig-
nificant newspapers, 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 care
full investigation did not bring the
criminal to justice, though Commodore
Elliott offered one thousand eight hun
| dred dollars reward for any informa-
ton concerning the act '"-.-.
A year later the Constitution came
down to New York bay and second
head, made for the purpose, was quiet
ly bolted on in place of the lost one.
Gen. Jackson's administration closed
r~f aff Ill
fitical matters abated, and nowadays
| the famous figurehead can be seen at
the Annapolis Naval academy, where
there are many others nearly as we'll
| known.
So much for the figure; but now for
the lost head which had so mysterious
| ly disappeared from it's place.
Three years after the unexplained
decapitation in Boston harbor man.
Capt Dewey by name, and a native of
| Cape Cod, asked for an interview with
Maiden Diclrerson, the secretary of the
| navy. To the secretary's surprise.
Capt Dewey produced the missing half
OF Gen. Jackson's head. After receiv-
ing the secretary's assurance that no
| punishment would be laid upon him,
Capt. Dewey proudly told his story:
| Near midnight he and a friend rowed
out in 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 vigilant guards,
Capt. Dewey crept out over the water,
and, hugging the general close, piled a
small, sharp saw. At the first attempt
the saw struck bolt that fastened the
head to the body; but on the second
trial he cut his prize entirely off. low
cred it to the little boat slid quietly
down, and rowed away, chuckling over
his own cleverness and the surpris, in
store for the crew and town. Partisan
ism and a love of exciting and adven-
turous undertakings led him to risk his
life in the adventure.-Margar Bis
land, in ST. Nicholas.