The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-05-10

and named Capt John Whistler as commandant |
~ Accordingly the fort was built In the summer
of 1903, given the name OF Fort Dearborn, In
honor OF Gen. Henry Dearborn then secretary
of war and thus Capt John Whistler became
the real father OF Chicago" The original draft
for the plans of the fort drawn by Captain
Whistler. is still In the archives of the War de-
partment at Washington-a good soldierly job.
1t Is, but revealing none Of the artistic qualities
which were later TO make the name of Whistler
SO famous.
For the next nine years John Whistler as
builder of the fort and Its commandment, DOM
mated the little community In this lonely out
post Of civilization which was to become the
second largest city In the United States But the
building and the commanding were not the only
contributions he made TO the history Of Fort
Dearborn and the beginnings OF Chicago. He
brought with him a growing family, some of
whose members were destined for renown even
greater than his.
His eldest son, William Whistler accompanied
him to Chicago as a second lieutenant and
served there throughout the elder Whistler's
term of service His eldest daughter, Sarah, was
married In November, 1904. to James Abbott,
trader of Detroit, thus becoming Chlcago's first
bride. Another daughter married Lieut.. Joseph
Hamilton, who was also a subatern under
Whistler at Fort Dearborn.
But our chief interest is In a toddng child
OF three who came with his father to Chicago In
1903 His name was George Washington Whist
Ter. Thus did the ex-British soldier honor the
great commander OF the rebels against whom
he had fought under Burgoyne. Young George
Washington Whistler grew up into sturdy boy
hood along the marshy banks of the Chicago
river and on the sandy shores OF Lake Michigan.
He was only ten years old when. as the result
of garrison feud the War department thought
1t advisable to scatter the officers at Fort Dear
born to various posts In the Middle West and
the boy accompanied his father back to Detroit.
And there two years later young George Wash
ington Whistler probably witnessed the scene
which made his father unique In American-and
perhaps In any other-history.
For Capt John Whistler and his elder son,
Lieut.. William Whistler, were officers In General
Hulls army when that fustered American COM
mander surrendered the fort at Detroit to the
British at the outbreak OF the War OF 1872 and
tradition says that the captain was so enraged
over the capItulaton that he broke his sword
over his knee rather. than surrender 1t to the
enemy. Perhaps 1t Was only the shame of a
surrender without firing shot that caused him
to do It Or perhaps 1t might have been his
realization that he was destined to go down In
history as the only British officer who having
.
became In turn an American officer who surren-
dered to victorious British army.
In due time John Whistler exchanged for
British prisoner, and the choleric old captain
remained In the American army only until the
close OF the war when he was honorably dis
charged He died September 3, 1922 but he
lived long enough to see his son. William. win
some renown as an officer In the Indian and
Mexican wars.
Old Capt John Whistler also lived long enough
to his youngest son, George Washington
Whistler, graduate from West Point at the age
of nineteen and assigned to the artillery branch.
But he was not to have the satisfaction Of know
Ing to what heights his son would rise In another
profession nor to what greater heights this sons
son would rise In still another.
While George washington Whistler was still q
cadet at West Point he once visited, while on
leave. the home OF a classmate, William Gibbs
Mcneil. 1t was great brick mansion which
had been built on plantation near the Cape
Fear river In North Carolina before the Hevolu
ton by one Donald Mcneil, scion OF q Scotch
family that had emigrated to America from the
isle OF Skye In 1889 There Cadet Whistler made
the acquaintance OF Anna Matilda McNeill the