THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER Editor’s Note: owner of all loaned objects, images Virginian who has been offended or and archival material. disappointed." The BCWRT monthly In the case of archival and McDonnell also called the nation's meeting is moving to the photographic materials, we seek high first elected black governor, L. resolution digital copies and not Douglas Wilder (D) of Virginia, and Parkville, VFW, 8123 original documents or photographs. the chairman of the Legislative Black Harford Rd. The meeting For further information or to inquire Caucus, Del. Kenneth Cooper on April 13, 2010 will be about loaning objects contact: Alexander (D-Norfolk), to apologize Dave Shackelford after they said they were offended by the first at the new Chief Curator the document. McDonnell told them location. 410-752-2462 ext. 215 that he would alter the proclamation [email protected] to include slavery and acknowledge Virginia governor that it was the cause of the Civil War. B&O Railroad Museum The original declaration called on Seeks Civil War amends Confederate Virginians to "understand the history proclamation to sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, Artifacts for Loan soldiers and citizens during the period In the Spring of 2011, the B&O include slavery of the Civil War." McDonnell added Railroad Museum will open a major By Anita Kumar, Washington Post, language to the document that said exhibition to celebrate the 150th April 8, 2010 slavery "was an evil and inhumane anniversary of the American Civil RICHMOND -- After a barrage of practice that deprived people of their War. Focused on the personalities, nationwide criticism for excluding God-given inalienable rights and all engagements and role of regional slavery from his Confederate History Virginians are thankful for its railroads (Baltimore & Ohio; Northern Month proclamation, Virginia Gov. permanent eradication from our Central; Western Maryland; Robert F. McDonnell (R) on borders." Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore, Wednesday conceded that it was "a But his decision to declare April Cumberland Valley and others) the major omission" and amended the Confederate History Month continued exhibition will feature the largest document to acknowledge the state's to cause a firestorm Wednesday, with assembled collection of Civil War complicated past. national media descending on locomotives and rolling stock in the A day earlier, McDonnell said he left Richmond and Democrats and World. out any reference to slavery in the African Americans accusing the new Small artifacts, archival and original seven-paragraph governor of ignoring the state's role in photographic materials related to proclamation because he wanted to slavery. specific battles, personalities, include issues he thought were most Sheila Johnson, one of McDonnell's locations and military units are sought "significant" to Virginia. He also said most prominent black supporters and for a 5-year revolving exhibit that will the document was designed to the wealthy co-founder of Black change for each year of the War. promote tourism in the state, which Entertainment Television, condemned ALL LOANS WILL BE FOR A next year marks the 150th the proclamation, calling it PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 14 anniversary of the start of the Civil "insensitive" to Virginia's complicated MONTHS. War. and painful history. The B&O Railroad Museum is an However, Wednesday afternoon the "If Virginians are to celebrate their affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. governor issued a mea culpa for the 'shared history,' as this proclamation The Museum has announced that document's exclusion of slavery. "The suggests, then the whole truth of this noted author and historian Daniel proclamation issued by this Office history must be recognized and not Carroll Toomey will be the Guest designating April as Confederate evaded," said Johnson, who Curator for the exhibition. History Month contained a major participated in a political ad for Loaned objects will be insured for omission," McDonnell said in a McDonnell's gubernatorial bid last fall replacement value and cared for at statement. "The failure to include any and headlined several fundraisers the highest museum standards. reference to slavery was a mistake, Credit (if desired) will be given to the and for that I apologize to any fellow BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER during his campaign against "I like to do research," said the retired hanged. Three of his sons also died Democrat R. Creigh Deeds. insurance investigator, who returned in the anti-slavery movement. McDonnell revived a controversy that an 1851 Colt "Navy" revolver to the But Brown's third son, Owen, had been dormant for years. Chicago museum from which it was escaped from Harpers Ferry, fleeing Confederate History Month was stolen 62 years ago. to Canada and later returning to the started by Gov. George Allen (R) in Inside the third-floor board room of United States. The article reported 1997. Allen's successor, James S. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & that Owen Brown's gun, stolen in Gilmore III (R), included anti-slavery Museum in Oakland, he donned a 1948 from the Chicago History language in his proclamation. pair of white gloves and carefully Museum, remained missing and had In 2002, Mark R. Warner, Gilmore's removed the gleaming revolver from a serial number of 43156. successor, broke with their actions, a brown valise. Mr. Hassinger knew his Colt revolver calling such proclamations a bore the initials O.B. on its backstrap. "lightning rod" that did not help bridge He figured the initials were those of divisions between whites and blacks the soldier who used the gun but was in Virginia. Four years later, Gov. never able to match the letters to Timothy M. Kaine was asked to issue anyone, even after examining a proclamation but did not. regiment rosters. This year's proclamation was As he matched the serial number to requested by the Sons of his revolver, he was electrified by the Confederate Veterans. A realization that he held Owen Brown's representative of the group said it has An 1851 Colt "Navy" revolver once owned by gun in his hand. Now, he faced a known since it interviewed McDonnell abolitionist Owen Brown. dilemma. when he was running for attorney "I didn't know what to do," he said. general in 2005 that he was likely to "There's no pitting, no rust," Mr. Mr. Hassinger consulted Ronald J. respond differently than Warner and Hassinger, 83, said as he showed it Erhart, a lawyer he knew from the Kaine. to Libby Mahoney, chief curator of the Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Brag Bowling, a national board Chicago History Museum, who was Roundtable, who contacted the member of the Sons of Confederate visibly impressed by its excellent Chicago History Museum. He got no Veterans, said his organization condition. response. supported adding language about "I can't really believe that it's "Maybe they were afraid I was after slavery to the proclamation. resurfaced. You're an extremely some money. I wanted some proof "Governor McDonnell is taking some honest person," said Kathleen Plourd, that it was stolen," Mr. Hassinger really unnecessary heat for this," he the museum's collections director. said. "No claim was made to the said. "Most of it is coming from his At a gun show here in 1991, Mr. insurance company because they political opposition. If this helps Hassinger traded an 1860 Army thought the gun wasn't worth him with his opposition, then we revolver for the earlier 1851 Colt anything." support him." model because its low serial number Mr. Hassinger then consulted Mike Historian reunites piqued his interest. He began Kraus, curator of Soldiers & Sailors. A researching its history, accumulating collector of Civil War artifacts since abolitionist's gun with information in a neat binder. boyhood, Mr. Kraus believes the museum While paging through Man at Arms revolver is worth between $100,000 By Marylynne Pitz, Pittsburgh Post- magazine in 2001, the North Hills and $250,000. Through colleagues, Gazette, March 31, 2010 man read an article headlined "John Mr. Kraus reached Ms. Mahoney, Robert Hassinger bid farewell on Brown's Colt Navies." Chicago History Museum's chief Tuesday to an old friend, a revolver John Brown, a zealous abolitionist, curator. whose craftsmanship, hallmarks and led an ill-conceived raid in 1859 on a "She was very interested in talking to engraving led him on a fascinating U.S. military arsenal in Harpers Ferry, me, especially when she heard the quest and fed his lifelong passion for Va. Afterward, he was tried and phrase, 'Owen Brown's pistol,' " Mr. American history. Kraus recalled. BALTIMORE CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE THE “OLD LINER” NEWSLETTER Ms. Mahoney sent documents The right side of the gun's grip bears "Belle." There are also two tintype showing the Chicago Historical the initials of Robert Henry Kirkwood photographs inside that very well Society accepted the revolver in the Whiteley, who headed the arsenal on could be Boyd. 1920s from Frank Logan, a collector Governor's Island in New York. His Redding, whose auction house holds of John Brown and Abraham Lincoln stamp meant that the gun had passed about 25 specialty fire arms auctions memorabilia. The packet included a inspection and authorized payment a year, said he was somewhat newspaper account of the gun's theft. for it. surprised the weapon went for as That proof satisfied Mr. Hassinger. Some time after 1859, Owen Brown much as it did. "I realized that it belonged to them returned from Canada to be near his "The gun definitely needed more and that it had to go back," he said. sister, Ruth Brown Thompson, who research done with it," he said. "But it But that didn't make it any easier for lived in California. After he died in was a unique situation.