Investigations

Preston Brook's Riding Crop

The Case:

A Long Island man owns a beautiful old riding crop he claims was given to an ancestor by the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis.

But this is no ordinary present.

Its owner believes it was given to Preston Brooks to congratulate him for beating anti-slavery campaigner, Charles Sumner, senseless in the Senate - a public attack many regard as a significant moment in America's move toward division and Civil War.

To find out if the story behind the crop is true, History Detectives taps into New York City, Columbus, Georgia and Sea Cliff, New York, where they unravel a startling story of politics, filibustering and mistaken identity.

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Aired:
Season 2, Episode 6

Detective:
Tukufu Zuberi Location:
Long Island, New York

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