By Dot Bergin
On December 3, the Bowie knife owned by the Bedford Free Public Library left Bedford by special carrier, headed for The Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock.
The current saga began in October 2012, when Library Director Richard Callaghan requested approval from the Trustees to allow the knife to be loaned to The Historic Arkansas Museum for a special show in the Museum’s knife gallery. The Bowie knife was bequeathed to the Library by the late Charles Hume, long time Bedford resident and former selectman. Appraisers have confirmed its authenticity. But before loaning one of the Library’s treasures, the Trustees wanted Town Administration and Town Counsel to review the request. Above all, Trustees (and Town officials) wanted assurance that proper safeguards would be taken for insuring the knife, for its careful transport, and for its ultimate return.
These conditions have now been met and the knife is on its way to become part of what the Museum bills as the World’s Largest Bowie Knife Exhibit. The exhibit will run from Dec. 13, 2013 through June 22, 2014. Historic Arkansas Museum Director Bill Worthen said, “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” will trace the history of this country’s most famous knife from just before its birth in a rough melee on a sandbar above Natchez, Mississippi in 1827, to the skilled craftsmen who keep the classic blade alive to this day in the form of hand crafted reproductions and modernized versions.”
A bit of background: in 1972, Charles Hume and his wife donated the Bowie knife to the Board of Selectmen, and expressly stated the knife should go to the Library. Hume served two terms as a Selectman and was for many years an active participant in the civic life of the town.
Long-time Library patrons will recall that the knife was displayed for a number of years along with a letter from the Hume family confirming its provenance. During a renovation-and for security and preservation of the valuable weapon – the knife was removed to a safe location. Callaghan said that various knife collectors and appraisers (Skinner, Inc., Auctioneers & Appraisers), have attested to the authenticity of the knife, probably made in Philadelphia in 1830. Another twist to the story is the knife may have been used by Davy Crockett, a claim that seems impossible to verify. If true, the value of the knife would be even greater.
Bedfordites, if you are traveling to Little Rock in the next few months, you may want to pay a visit to the gallery. Read more about the knife gallery: https://bit.ly/18JZ054
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