The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-24
HISTORY BUILDERS.
An Anecdote of Black Hawk. the
Indian Chief.
BY DIR. e. }. EDWARDS.

The late Bailey Davenport, OF Rock Is
land, Ill, was especially. interested all
his life in the growth Of the city Of
Davenport. Iowa, for the little commu-
nifty when first organized thought itself
honored by taking the name OF Mr..
pavenport's father. Bailey Davenport be-
came the owner OF the historic BLACK
Hawk tower" erected on Rock Island.
and very closely associated with the In
dian chieftain. Black Hawk. With Black
Hawk Mr.. Davenport's father had Ia
milIar acquaintance. and he heard the
great Indian chief narrate many anec-
dotes and tell the story OF men and
events associated with the Black Hawk
war Three men, one Of whom had al
ready gained distinction while the others
had stin to enter upon their now historic
careers, were Identified with the so-called
Black Hawk war. These were Abraham
Lincoln, who was chosen captain of a
volunteer company raised in Illinois; Gen.
Winfield Scott. and Lieut.. Jefferson
Davis Scott had already so great a repu-
tation that Black Hawk constantly al
luded to him as the great war chief
Black Hawk was thrown into close rela-
lions with the young army lieutenant,
who afterward became president OF the
Confederate States. Jefferson Davis. But
ne never bpOht OF AbIdn l-lllNOllls 81
that in all probability he never heard Of
him.
Mr. Davenport heard his father mar
rate several anecdotes which were
told by Black Hawk after the war. He
was very kindly disposed toward Mr..
Davenport because he had often been
presented with food by him. especially
cried venisOn. of which he was very fond
Among the anecdotes which Black
Hawk narrated TO Col. Davenport was
one which was wildly recalled by Bailey
Davenport some thirty years later. l
will naTrate the story as it was told to
me by a gentleman. Charles +. Hall, now
OF New York, who had it from Bailey
Davenport.
Black Hawk told Col Davenport that
nc gave himself up at a place now
called Prairie du Chen, in Wisconsin
The agent who took me in charge
turned me- over to an Oricer at Fort
Crawford. Then l was told that l was to
be taken to Jefferson Barracks. St. Louis.
When l went aboard the steamboat l
was treated with more kindness than l
had been in the habit OF receiving by
young war chief. His name was JEFF
ferson Davis and ne was a lieutenant in
the white mans army.
No one could have been more friendly
than this young war chief was 10 me. He
had a very kind heart | remember that
at one place while on our way down
the river we stopped for a short time
There were a great many people who
tried to get on the boat because they
were curious to see me. But how kind
the young war chief was, He would not
let them enter the room where We were
kept and he protected Us in this way
because. he said. he knew what his own
feelings would have been II he had
been placed In similar situation. II
he had been made a captive he would not
have wanted a crowd gaping around
him
When jefferson Davis became PrCsi-
dent OF the Confederacy and afterward.
when he. too. became a prisoner OF war.
! was strongly reminded Of the aneCdOte
about him which Black Hawk told my
father" said Bailey Davenport
Tomorrow Or. Edwards will tell Of
Gen. SCOTS Cure for the Cholera
CCOPnghj. az by Z J. Edwards. All rShts ~
scTCd.l