The San Francisco call., 1898-12-24
ANOTHER BRAVE DEWEY. How Captain Samuel Sawed Jackson's Figurehead From Constitution.


 Now, when the nation rings with the name of Dewey the exploit of Captain Samuel Dewey of Massachusetts should nave place among our sailor yarns: Ben. Perley Poore in his "Reminiscences" gives an account of the capture of the figure head or Andrew Jackson from the ship Constitution by this daring young mari ner. It appears when "the solid men of Boston" ascertained that General Jackson actually signed the order for the removal or deposits from the Bank of the United States while enjoying their hospitality they were very angry, and soon after, on learning that the United States frigate Constitution, a Boston built vessel, which was being repaired at the CharlestoWn naXy-yard, was to be ornamented with full-length figure of General Jackson, they regarded it as an insult.
 The carver was ordered to stop his work This he declined to do, and had the half-fnished block of wood removed 10 the navy-yard, where his work was or marines. When the figurehead was completed and fastened to the cutwater or the Constitution she was hauled to her anchorage and a vessel stationed as a guard on either side of her. The indigna- ton Of the Bostonians had now reached hghtlng pitch and Captain Dewey deter mined the head should come down. Late one night, during a violent storm, he dropped into a rowboat and started for the vessel. All was dark except when lightning shot across the sky, illuminat- Ing the harbor and guiding Dewey to the Constitution.
 Making fast his boat to the bow of the vessel, he climbed up, protected by some headboards left there the day before. A sharp saw soon did the work, and an hour later Dewey entered the door of Galla- gher's hotel. where a party of friends anXiously awaited him, bearing aloft the grim visage of Andrew Jackson. Uproar- became the lion of the Wings. Commo- dore Elliott, though frantic with rage over the insult offered his chief, was PPowerless to do anything. Soon after Dewey went to Washington, taking his trophy with him. where it was passed around among the leading Wings Finally he called on the Secretary of War, taking the head tied up in a bandana handker- chief.
 MT. Dickerson," said the captain, 'I am the man who removed the fgurehead from the Constitution, and have brought It here to restore it."
 Secretary Dickerson looked in astonish- ment at the man who had the boldness to cast such an indignity upon the adminis- tration.
 Well, sirr he exclaimed, "so you are the man who had the audacity to disfigure Old Ironsides?"
 ''Yes, I took the responsibility
 shall have you arrested immediate ly, and the Secretary reached toward his bell to summon a messenger.
 Stop, MT. Secretary" interposed the captain. You, as a lawyer, know that there Is no statute against defacing a ship of war, and all you can do is to sue me for trespass, and that in the county where the offense was committed. If you desire it, I will go back to Middlesex County and stand my trial"
 After a few moments reflection, Dick erson admitted that he was correct. Then, asking him to wait he stepped over to the White House, followed by an attendant carrying the head. At the sight of 1t the President burst into an uncomfortable fit of laughter. I
 "Why, that" he cried at length. why, that is the most internal graven image I ever saw. That fellow did perfectly right. l You've got him, you say? Well, give him a kick and my compliments and tell him ! 10 saw it off again. .''-Leslie's Weekly