Old Cap Classroom: Chauncey's Swan Song 1. Review the "History"
section of this website, and take notes about Chauncey Swan. 2.
Read the following biographical information about Swan. 3.
Writing as if you were Chauncey Swan, compose a letter to a
friend telling her/him why you are leaving Iowa City. Use these
questions to guide you: What opportunities make you want to
leave Iowa City? What family issues have a bearing on your
departure? What work and/or political issues influenced your
decision to leave the place you have lived in for more than ten
years? Can you "read between the lines" to imagine what Swan
might have been feeling? What other information from the Tour
and History sections can help give you ideas about Swan's life?
Chauncey Swan came to Iowa to mine lead and left years later to
mine gold. In between he became an important figure in the birth
of a territorial capitol. Swan is appointed commissioner, along
with John Ronalds and Robert Ralston, to locate the permanent
seat of government in Johns