The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-07
GROW CHAPMAN, CROW
The Rooster as an Emblem Of Political
Victory.
To The Editor of the Press.

TO The Editor Of the Press:
As the triumphant political rooster will
make his appearance ON Tuesday morn
ing In one or the other of the dailies-
undoubtedly the PRESS-I am reminded
OF the Investigation made some little
time since, being engaaedIon 1.-The Chap
man Genealogy to, get at the facts and
lind the originator OF the use of the roos.
ter In politics and thu Rah | in political
victory Grow Chapman, Grow"
1t seems the use OF chanticleer as an
emblem of political rejoicing originated
with Massachusetts, born Chapman and
here are the particulars of the result OF
my Inquiries:
Jacob Page Chapman. born in salems
Mass, Dec. 3, 1910, and his brother.
George Alexander Chapman, born Oct.
10 1905. were sons of Jeremiah Chapman,
an enterprising and influential merchant
OF Salem, Mass. These two young men
we're evidently fired with q spirit OF enter
prise that did not find full scope IN tne
old Bay State, and therefore emigrated to
Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1883, and pun
lished there the the Wabash inquirer.
Three years later they moved to lndianapo-
lis and purchased the Democrat, weekly
journal. and started the Sentinel. whisn
they conducted with signal ability TIL
1850. In this paper they used the rooster
as an emblem OF Democratic victory IN
elections. as learn from the present edit
tor of that paper. He writes thus:
1.-The father OF General George Henry
Chapman once published the indianapolis
Sentinel and he Ii was, understand. who
first used the rooster to rejoice over a
Democratic victory; but the phrass
Grow Chapman, Crow, originated with
another Chapman who lived at Greenfield
in this state and could initiate the crow
of the rooster 10 perfection. He was a
very enthusiastic Beinorat, and whenever
a Democratic victory, occurred In Indiana,
his friends used TO send him word to
Grow Chapman, Crow" Jacob Page
Chapman had a son George Henry Chap
man born in Holland. Mass, Nov. %.
1882. He was well educated and had
marked natural ability. In 1917 he was
appointed midshipman in the navy, and
was at Vera Cruz at the close of the Mexi-
can war, July, 1873 After three years
service In the navy he went home and
with his fnther started the Chapman
Chanticleer," and later the indianapolis
Republican. 1t is natural 10 suppose
that they selected that name for theii
paper from the notoriety the uss Of ths
! rooster had given 1t, but of this l canno,
nalisu, studied law and was admitted tt
the bar In 1857. In 1859 he was assistant
clerk of the House of Representatives in
Washington, ID. c.. which position ht
held till the breaking out of the rebellion
When the Third Indiana Cavalry regi
ment was organized, he was appointed
ma or and Joined the army OF the Potion
&C. he was bold. daring, faithful. borr
leader of men, and rose to Lieut.. Colonel
Brigadier General and breveS Major Gen
eral. At the close of the war he returned
to indianapolis and practiced law. h,
was appointed the first judge of the crimi
nal court, which office he filled with grea
credit to himself and the approval OF all
till 1870. when he took up the practice OF
law again. He was receiver of the Louis
vile, New Albany and Chicago raiiwa.
and later of the Lafayette, Muncie am
Bloomington railroad, was state senate
two years, and achieved distinction il
every position, while he magnifled hi
home with every Christian grace and diet
June 6, 1882.
These Chapmans had been Democrats
though always opposed to slavery, an,
during the Kansas and Nebraska trouble
when the Democrats attempted to fastei
slavery upon these states they could no
stand 1t and became original Republicans
BROWN THURSTON.