Library jewel #3: Poem about former Territorial Gov. Stevens

Library jewel #3: Poem about former Territorial Gov. Stevens

Besides being Washington Territory’s first governor and a major factor in the creation of the Territorial Library in 1853, Isaac Stevens also was a brigadier general in the Civil War until he was shot and killed at the Battle of Chantilly in northern Virginia on Sept. 1, 1862. This poem about Stevens following his death is the third and final Library jewel for September.

The poem was found in a Bible that was once owned by Hazard Stevens, son of former Gov. Stevens. Hazard presented the Bible to his sister as a wedding gift. Entitled “In memoriam,” the poem, written by C.L. Watson, memorializes the former Washington Territory governor after his death.

Now that we’ve featured the three jewels from the State Library for September, you’ll get a chance to choose your favorite of the three in an online poll that starts Friday.

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