Creation Date

1856 – 1989

Description

Medal, Commemorative: Beaded medallion and necklace given to Dr Augustine Hawley by Chief Red Wing, according to donor's family. Hide backed medallion adorned with glass beads in a star shape, necklace appears to be a dyed natural material adorned with glass beads. Medallion and necklace are separated and it's unclear how the two fastened together. Dr. Augustine Hawley arrived in Red Wing in 1856 and died in 1878. Beaded necklace is beaded in a peyote stitch that looks more contemporary (1980s) and may be a later addition, or is entirely unrelated, to the medallion.

Elizabeth Brooks is the executor of her deceased step-brother George Hawley's estate, and the medallion comes from his belongings. According to Elizabeth Brooks, in a letter she included with the medallion and fob, "George [Hawley] was told by his father Dr. George Maxwell Blackstock Hawley, that Chief Red Wing had given the medallion to his (GMBH's) grandfather, Dr. Augustine Boyer Hawley, MD in appreciation of Dr. A.B. Hawley's bringing medical practice to Red Wing."

These comments are from historian and writer Fred Johnson, who was approached to offer his perspective on the donation and its context: "Augustine Hawley was among the first physicians to reach Red Wing but, as you know, William W. Sweney was the first. Chief Red Wing (Tatankamani) was long dead—replaced by Wacouta in 1829, who as you also know, was challenged by Iron Cloud for leadership of the Red Wing band. Iron Cloud died during the 1852 cholera epidemic. Sweney treated Iron Cloud just before the Indian leader died. Thus Wacouta was unchallenged chief of the Red Wing band from 1852 until his death in 1858. Wacouta and the Red Wing band left for the reserve on the upper Minnesota River in 1853, but at least some members did periodically return to Red Wing. Dr. Hawley reached town in 1856 and became a leading figure in Red Wing medicine along with Sweney, F.F. Hoyt and later Charles Hewitt. It is possible that Hawley knew Wacouta although I suspect if the chief had a friend in Red Wing medicine it was Sweney."