Post by Cliff Krainik on Jul 5, 2004 15:37:01 GMT -5
Here is some bibliographical information about the pamphlet regarding the Hall sisters and the Black Hawk War recruiting circular -
Evidently the pamphlet, NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE OF MISSES FRANCES AND ALMIRA HALL ... , [1] first appeared in 1832 with various editions issued through 1833.
There are two examples of Narrative of the Capture ... in the Krainik Collection: the first edition, dated 1832, and the undated [1833 edition] which contains additional back matter including “Indian Depredations;” “Customs of the Western Savages;” “Sketch of the War With BLACK HAWK - Battle of Wisconsin - Battle of Mississippi, August 2, 1831;” and the BHW recruiting circular.
The frontispiece for both editions depicts four Native Americans escorting three captives - two teenage girls and a young man. The young women probably represent the Hall sisters, while the man most likely symbolizes Philip Brigdon, although he was not present at the Indian Creek Massacre. A young boy, Jimmy Davis, age about eight years, was taken with the Hall sisters but was executed shortly after his capture. It is interesting to note that there are slight but distinct variations in the illustrations for the two editions perhaps indicating that the pamphlet was a hastily constructed “work in progress.”
According to the antiquarian book man, Wright Howes, Narrative of the Capture ... was probably published by William P. Edwards in whose name it was copyrighted. The National Union Catalogue locates four copies of the [1833] edition - NY Public Library; University of Iowa; Rosenbach Foundation, Philadelphia; and the Newberry Library, Chicago.
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1. The full title of the dated 1832 edition is -
NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE OF MISSES FRANCES AND ALMIRA HALL. Two respcctable (sic) young women (sisters) of the ages of 16 and 18, who were taken prisoners by the SAVAGES, at a Frontier settlement, near the Indian Creek, in May last, when fifteen of the inhabitants fell victims to the bloody Tomahawk and Scalping Knife; among whom were the parents of the unfortunate females.
LIKEWISE IS ADDED, The Interesting Narrative of the capivity and suffering of PHILIP BRIGDON , A Kentuckian who fell into the hands of the merciless Savages on their return to their settlement, three days after the Bloody Massacre. - Communicated by persons of respectability living in the neighborhood of the captives. 1832
Cliff Krainik
