1883 Chief Blackhawk Autobiography

[Edge]

Hi,
I would like to know if any members can give me some information on the book The Autobioghraphy of Chief Blackhawk 1882. This book has been in my family since it's publication. It was passed on to me after my grandfathers death. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Terri

[Jeffrey]

Terri,
You've got a re-issued edition of Black Hawk's auto-biography that was either printed on the fiftieth anniversary of the War (1832) or the original publication, which I think was 1833. The best article on the history of the auto-biography is Donald Jackson's foreword to the 1954 edition put out by the University of Illinois. It's been a while since I read it, but I think he talks about some interesting discrepancies between the original 1833 edition and the one you have. (the discrepancies may not be interesting to a general reader) You should keep the book in the family, but it would probably bring $50 to $100 on E-Bay. It's considered a classic of Native American literature in the 19th century and is on the reading list of a lot of university history and literature courses. Here on this web board, we like to debate about whether Black Hawk's accounts of historical events are reliable or self-serving. Have a good read with it.
--Jeffrey Chown

[Edge]

Hello Jeffrey,
Thank you for your help. My family has lived in Rock Island since the early 1800's and I have always been fascinated by Chief Black Hawk. The state park here is one of my favorite places. Such a magnificent view from the Watch Tower, I can only imagine how it appeared to Black Hawk in his time. The museum is small but very extensive, also there is Singing Bird Lodge. I hope everyone in this board will have the opportunity to view this beautiful park dedicated to the Chief.
But now I'm a little confused. You say that the re-issue would be be dated 1832, the 50th Anniversary of the War, and the original would be 1833. Wouldn't the original be the earliest date at 1832?
In my book, on the very first page, opposite the drawing of Black Hawk, is the following:
Black Hawk War of 1832
Rock Island, Illinois 1833
Life Death and Burial of the old Chief, together with A History of the Black Hawk War, By J.B. Patterson, Oquawka, ILL. 1882

Next page:
Copyrighted by J.B. Patterson, 1882


Was it first published 1882 or in 1833? There is a date of March 6, 1840 in pencil along with my g-g-great grandfathers name. Also I read that the advertisement on page 9, supposedly is not in the original.
After reading several of the posts on "Blackhawk Hero or Coward?" I would like to submit the following, from the Editor on page 9;
"It is assumed no apology will be required for presenting to the public the life of a Hero who has lately taken such high rank among the distinguished individuals of America......The Editor has written this work according to the dictation of Black Hawk......He does not, therefore, consider himself responsible for any of the facts, or views contained in it, and leaves the old Chief and his story with the public, whilst he neither asks, nor expects any fame for his services as an amanuensis."

I would like to offer to anyone, that can't make it here to Rock Island, to see the Black Hawk Historic Site, I will be happy to send by email, photos from the Watch Tower view, the Park trails, museum or any historic sites such as Fort Armstrong.

Many thanks Jeffery for your help. This is a must read. I pray it does not fall apart.
Terri

[Jeffrey]

Terri,
Sorry, I could have written that more clearly. The war was 1832. Black Hawk dictated the auto-biography to LeClaire and Patterson in 1833 for the first edition. Patterson was a journalist/printer who gave shape to LeClaire's translation from Sauk. When Patterson was an old man, he re-issued the book, which you have. I am guessing it was in response to the fiftieth anniversary of the war, although I have no proof.

Your edition is interesting. I'll quote a bit from Donald Jackson's later introduction to a 1955 edition to show you why: (p. 29)
"When Patterson, as an old man, published his revised edition of the book, he made substantial changes in the wording of many passages and he introduced new material--attributing it to Black Hawk. The differing language of the two editions shows that Patterson succeeded in making Black Hawk sound even less aboriginal in 1882 than he had in 1833...((Jackson then lists examples of the changes between the two editions)) If Patterson altered Black Hawk's story in the 1882 edition, must we assume that he did so forty-nine years earlier in the 1833 edition? Not necessarily. The Patterson of 1882, to whom the Black Hawk period was a fading memory, certainly must have viewed the book differently than he had as a young printer working closely with LeClaire and Black Hawk. He was probably more concerned in 1882 with telling a story than with preserving a document of American history; and his two associates were not there to confirm or deny. If we are to evaluate Black Hawk's story properly, we must disregard the 1882 edition and stick with the 1833 edition, which, despite the intrusive hands of interpreter and editor, is basically a tale told by an Indian from an Indian point of view."

Apparently one of the added paragraphs is the one about Black Hawk's "watch tower," which was a story local white residents particularly liked. By the way, I visited the museum last summer and enjoyed it very much.
---Jeffrey Chown

[Larry Koschkee]

Jeffrey wrote: Patterson was a journalist/printer who gave shape to LeClaire's translation from Sauk.

I would be interested in learning more about this "shape" you speak of.

Larry

[Jeffrey]

The "shape" that Patterson provides in the 1882 version consists of some added flowery language and then the following added passages, which I'll quote again from Donald Jackson:

"The new material includes (1) a tale about Elijah Kilbourn, allegedly captured by Black Hawk and forced to live with the Sauk for three years, then recaptured during the Black Hawk War; (2) a paragraph about Black Hawk's 'watch tower' on the Mississippi; (3) a legend about a pair of Indian lovers buried beneath a rock slide; (4) a passage about the persons who accompanied Black Hawk on his trip to the East, containing errors of fact; (5) a verbatim account of a speech made in honor of Black Hawk by John A. Graham, in New York." (page 30, 1964 edition)

The Kilbourn story is preposterous and reads like a pulp fiction Indian captivity narrative. I'll have to guess that Patterson added it to improve the commercial prospects of the edition. Despite things like this, Jackson still comes down on the side of the 1833 edition being a good representation of what Black Hawk felt. He persuades me.

However, my more speculative mind wonders about the following. The 1833 edition in presentation has a tone of admiration for Indians and regret about the consequences of Manifest Destiny then being practiced. Most of the frontier supported the Indian-fighting Andrew Jackson and his presidential policies. However, there are the exceptions, such as Abraham Lincoln, who becomes a Whig politician. It would be interesting to know where LeClaire and Patterson came down politically and whether that had any role in the "shaping" of the manuscript. I guess I don't believe the auto-biography is a totally objective transcription, even though it is fascinating reading.
--Jeffrey Chown

[Larry Koschkee]

Can I say with reasonable certainty, that when you wrote: Patterson was journalist/printer who gave shape to LeClaire's translation from Sauk, that you are referring specifically to Patterson's 1882 edition? Or are you also considering the 1833 first edition, subject to Patterson's "shape?"

[Jeffrey]

The evidence is pretty strong that Patterson shaped the 1882 edition, based on those passages quoted above. My surmise that he shaped the 1832 edition is more conjecture. Here's Jackson on Patterson's influence:

"In phrasing Black Hawk's story, young Patterson no doubt felt that he was conforming to the best traditions of frontier journalism. Simplicity of style had not yet become a desirable attribute in the newspaper world; a nobel Indian deserved noble prose. As a result we find Black Hawk talking of "the vicissitudes of war," and using such poetic words as 'whilst,' 'thither,' and 'o'er.' Patterson emphasized awkwardly humorous passages with exclamation marks. He retained certain Indian terms for a picturesqe touch, and so we find Black Hawk referring to President Jackson's 'wigwam,' and calling newspaper editors 'village criers.'" (page 28)

Jackson feels LeClaire was a reputable interpreter and mentions that the Sauk in a treaty asked Winfield Scott for a couple of lots in reward for LeClaire's good service.
There is an anecdote that suggests that Black Hawk was satisfied with the publication of the book. Patterson later in life works as an editor and publisher. My guess is that 19th century editors, not so unlike present editors, were quite ready to "shape" a story for publication. What do you think?
--Jeffrey Chown

[Larry Koschkee]

Jeffrey wrote: My guess is that 19th century editors, not so unlike present editors, were quite ready to "shape" a story for publication. What do you think?

I can not speak with certainty on what motivates a 19th century editor or an editor of contempory times, but if you use the word "shape" to mean giving form and organization to sentences or manuscript material, or inserting high academe words without distorting meaning of sentences or paragraphs, I would agree.

[sparrow]

I live in Lansing Iowa where the great BlackHawk Bridge spans the Mississippi I will be visiting your area hopefully this summer. A Black Hawk Fan