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Looking for a cane sent to Preston Brooks
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  Quote Preston Brooks Cane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Looking for a cane sent to Preston Brooks
    Posted: 03-Jul-2011 at 17:25
< ="utf-8">In the course of my research for a book that I am writing, I've run across reports of a specific cane that was sent to Preston Brooks after he canned Charles Sumner on the floor of the US Senate. (He received several from all across the south) I've tried my best to do more digging and see where this particular cane might have ended up, but I haven't found much. Below is a Richmond Enquirer article from 1856 describing the cane in the most detail that I've seen. The only things to add are that it likely had a connection to the Jefferson Literary Society at UVA and is likely inscribed with "Every Southern Man sustains me."

Has any one encountered this cane? Or better yet, seen it? I would love to know. 

The Richmond Enquirer, of May 30, reports a response from the University of Virginia.
"another Cane For Mr. Brooks. —We understand that a very large meeting of the students of the University of Virginia was held on Tuesday evening, to take into consideration the recent attack of the Hon. Preston S. Brooks on Charles Sumner, in the United States Senate Chamber. Several very eloquent speeches were delivered, all of which fully approved the course of Mr. Brooks, and the resolution was passed to purchase for Mr. Brooks a splendid cane. The cane is to have a heavy gold head, which will be suitably inscribed, and also bear upon it a device of the human head, badly cracked and broken. The chivalry of the South, it seems, has been thoroughly aroused."
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red clay View Drop Down
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Posts: 10226 		  Quote red clay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-Jul-2011 at 09:20
I have seen ref. to the Museum of the Confederacy.  I don't know where it's located.  I do know they have a collection of items connected to the formation of the CSA.  Perhaps they might know of it's whereabouts.
"Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces".
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Nick1986 View Drop Down
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Posts: 7940 		  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-Jul-2011 at 10:27
I suggest you register with us Preston. There are so many great potential members who ask questions then leave once they're answered
Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!
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Posts: 10226 		  Quote red clay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 09:20
Okay, I was snooping around and actually found something pertinent.
 
Preston, you might try searching the NY Times archives.  Use Preston Brooks Cane, Peabody and Harvard as keywords.
Next go to Harvard's Peabody Collection and search.  From what I found, and I got lucky, it seems as if someone gave the cane to Dr. Peabody and that may be where it is today.  It is considered to be one of the more important artifacts from the days preceeding the Civil War.
 
I agree with Nick, Someone who can come up with things as interesting as this should consider becoming a regular member.  Esp. if I'm right.Big smile 
 
 
 
 
 
"Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces".
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  Quote Preston Brooks Cane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 13:34
red clay--Many thanks. I've looked through the NYT archives and ran some microfilm from 1856 this morning and still havent landed on anything--any chance you could point me to a more specific location of what you found?
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  Quote Preston Brooks Cane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 15:39
And perhaps I'll see if i can find the time to check in here from time to time. 
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  Quote Preston Brooks Cane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 15:41
and perhaps I will see if I can find the time to check in here from time to time.
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Posts: 10226 		  Quote red clay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 17:44
Originally posted by Preston Brooks Cane

red clay--Many thanks. I've looked through the NYT archives and ran some microfilm from 1856 this morning and still havent landed on anything--any chance you could point me to a more specific location of what you found?


 
 
The material I saw in the NYT was modern, recent news, in the last ten years I think.  Preston, skip past that and go directly to the Peabody collection.  That's what the NYT stuff was about anyway.
 
I will give freely of my sage councilWink and valuable research efforts, now it's your turn.Big smile What is the source of your obsession with this relatively obscure artifact? I was vaguely aware of it, and that's only because of a graduate course in Pre Civil War Politics.  The average guiseppe wouldn't have a clue.
And registering would be a nice good faith turn on your part. Smile
 
 
"Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces".
Unknown.
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Posts: 10226 		  Quote red clay Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-Jul-2011 at 17:59
Were you, by any chance a former member here? I have a hunch you might be.  If so, e mail me please- jctrees@comcast.net
 
 
"Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces".
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Posts: 7940 		  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-Jun-2012 at 19:39

Here's a photo of Preston's cane, made of gutta percha with a brass handle
Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!
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Posts: 7940 		  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-Jun-2012 at 19:38
Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!
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