The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-29

L1eu ny Dr. AuppJ III SOAAS>11S
history, as well as in contributing them
to the State Museum where they will
be preserved, and looked upon as GU
riosities by those who come after u.s.
IT will be observed that the letter is
dated in March last, although 1t and
the subject of its contents were for
warded to their destination only few
days since.
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA,
| March 4, 1868.
Rev. ALEXANDER MARTIN, d. d.,
President West Virginia Agricultural
College, Mor9Gnto'Vn.
SIR:-This "crosscut" Saw, relic OF
frontier life, which have the honor to
present to the West Virginia Agrtcul-
tural College, was used in IVA In the
construction of Fort Fincastle, (subse-
ouently named Fort Henry,) at Wheel
| ing. 1t was originally the property OF
| Col. Ebenezer Zane, who, in 11!O secur-
ed tomahawk title to lands along the
Ohio, on a portion of which now stands
the city OF Wheeling. After the de-
cease of Col. Zane, in ISL, this saw
passed into the possession OF his SON
in-law, John Clarke, ESQ ana IN the
year 1872 II was purchased from Mf'
Clarke by Francis Mcconnell ST., VINO
emigrated to the United states IN 1II3'
and settled in the first year OF the pres
eT,t century in what is now Belmont
connty. Ohio, and was a Revolutionary
In those primitive days, when every
| frontier settler was his own archltect-
when the axe, the.moul and the wooden
wedge were the artiticer's only toois-a
crosscut SAP was II highly priced ac9ui-
sItion, and used in common among
neighbors, bound together, as they
we're. with the cement and panoply of
affection and good will. Amongst the
early settlers thus united in the tender,
natal, social and moral ties OF domestic
kindness, friendship and love, and the
union for defense, this instrument
served them IA purpose eminently use
| full in the furnishing of puncheons Tor
| the floor and clapboaTds for the roof OF
many rude cabin. And not only
thus, for we follow it in actual use up
to the yenr lS25-R service OF more than
half n century-Ht which date 1t was
buried amongst the fallen leaves IN the
woods, and there remained for quarter
of "A century, under the following cir
cumstRnces, viz:
In the wear 1928 Francis Mcconnell,
Jr, now a resident of Belmont county,
Ohio, after he had been engaged in the
woods on his fathers farm, using tbs
sutD essAyed to conceal II for safety
, under the leaves near the trunk OF u
fallen tree, and succeeded so well that
he was unable to lind it again himself
J, And though often-times searched for
!. with diligence, 1t remained undiscOv-
4 cred till the year 1854. On inspection
n you will see that it shows very palpa'
bly, on every portion OF 1t the ravages
Il of the tooth OF time.
o Francis Mcdonnell, ST., having lived
. out his four score years, died February
# u, 1898, and ut length the Mcconnell
Homestead was purchased by Luthe
Harrah, ESD, its present proprietor.
In the winter of 1854, while Mr.. Har
81 rah was engaged in getting timbe
r stepping upon something slippery be
[. meath the damp and decaying leaves, b
n fell. Curiosity induced him to exam
inc as to the cause of his fall, when
Is after clearing away the snow, he dreN
10 ont from beneath the accumulatet
K. debris of twenty-nine years, something
!. for IL moment he knew not tChdt,-bu
~ after removing from it the adherin
"a masses of earth and seml-decomposet
ar vegetable matter the outlines OF II sGl
= were revealed! subsequently, Franci
i Mcconnell, Jr., ut Mr.. Hnrrah's house
" saw and recognized the old heir loon
Il and gave its history.
l. Exposed. as it had been, TO tho win
ter's irosts and the summers moisture
/. and heat for so many years, had the
q effect to corrode, soften and render Il
unit for use evermore.S
Being ''too short for sleigh soles, >
, to which purpose If had been doomed
and regarded as of no utility whatever
it was tossed aside.
April %, 1859, 1t was taken by Mr.
Q Harrah to the foundry of Thomas G
Culbertson, Esq, at Bridgeport, Ohio
: among a lot of old iron. Mr.. gilbert.
l son having heard the history of the
d 4 NJ Id III
/ was amongst the iron rubbish, caused
1t to be sent to his blacksmith shop,
where, with tho aid of heat, 1t was care.
: fully unfolded and Strengthened, since
: which time 1t has been properly cared
, for as valuable reliC.
June 2S, 1864, il was donated TO the
great sanitary fair and festival then
being held in Wheeling, to aid our
; brave soldiers who We're languishing
in hospitals and suffering privations
in the field. During the fair this saw
, occupied conspicuous place in the
"curiosity shop and gallery of fine
arts" department., attracting every
visitors attention. Having satisfied
the curiosity of thousands of people,
who came thither In their patriotic zeal
to minister to the wants of the gallant
r braves who were defending our liber-
ties, and to attest their appreciation of
the sacrifices the soldiers were making,
AT the Close OIL the itllr, THIS saw, Delng
, offered for sale, was purchased by the
writer hereof.
: In compliance with your expressed
|, wish have penned these memoranda
: and through you now donate the relic
, to the College as a rare sample, serving
, to illustrate, in kind, the antiquities o.
that early period.
hope you will receive IL in that be
half, and deem it worthy n place in the
% College Museum.
Under the wise administration of the
Il well qualified aud experienced educa-
q tors composing it's Board of Instruc
i. ti9n, the college over which you have
, the honor to preside has had an aus
II picious beginning. With ardent wishes
n for its continued prosperity, l am, deal
n sir, respectfully and obediently,
~ JOHN c. HuPP.
3 To complete the account of this In
> teresting relic we subjoiu the follow
or ing particulars furnished us by Prot
5. q. Stevens, through DIR. Hupp:
Length of Saw blade feet liz inches
Whole length feet 81 inches
r Width at centre AZ inches.
o.I Width at ends ~ inches
Number OF teeth IS.
l. inches. =,
The wooden han5Iss ,ro ,,,a,,,,,,,. an.