Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-11-06
TREASURES I'M PAwusHoPs.


owners OF the shops, however, are not
happy mood. They complain that Il
J. hard times have . tendency to dra
them of their funds, and that only f.
!; pledges are being redeemed. During Il
! holiday season business at the paw
. shops il especially brisk, 30 far - recei
ing pledges 10 concerned. The propri
tors say that persons who are By Z
; means destitute, and in frequent i,
stances those In good circumstance
pawn their jewelry and other valuab
articles in order TO raise money for hol
day purposes, and to keep up appear
ances in the circles in which they move
In the majority of cases the article
pawned are not redeemed, and in aS
cordance with the invariable custor
among pawnbrokers, after being kep
one day over . year, they are disposed Q
at public auction.
One of the most interesting unrdeem
ed pledges now on exhibition Is identities
with tho valor of one of the heroes o
the war of 1872. It is . sword of Ds
mascus steel, with solid gold mouting,
and upon the scabbard is inscribed, OF
q gold plate: Presented to Capt Sam
uel Chester Reid by the legislature o
the state of New York" This mark O
honor was awarded for gallant defens,
of the privateer Armstrong 1t Fayal il
1914. The presentation took place Apri
II, 1915. Gov. Daniel D. Tompkin
representing the state, and Capt. Johr
Ferguson acting for Tammany Hall
which gave Capt. Reid . silver tea-set
In 1860 Capt Reid died in reduced cir
cumstances, and it is believed that thu
testimonials were pawned after his death
The silver service was purchased = few
years ago by son-in-law of Capt. Reid
Spanish gentleman, who disposed of /
cargo of curiosities in thiscity at q prof,
of $60,OOO When asked why he did NO,
purchase the sword, he stated that thu
sons, who are still living, intended te
buy 1t at some future time and retain il
in the family.
Capt. William Jay Murphy, of thil
city, was the former owner Of q solid
silver towahawk, which was . gift from
ex Gov. John Swan, of Baltimore. The
handle was made out of wooden snuff.
box and cane. which were heirlooms in
the Swan family. Now that gift il dis.
played as an unredeemed pledge.
The New York State Horse Artillery
was among the early regiments of New
York Militia, and in 1897 was regarded
a. one of the "crack" regiments. At
the conclusion of dress parade ON June
4, of that year, the officers presented to
their Colonel, Henry Arcularius, silver
service appropriately inscribed. The affair
terminated with supper and ball. Col.
Arcularius became impoverished, and
finally parted with his testimonial SER
vice, the pieces of which have become
scattered. A pitcher was put in pawn
and was never taken out. Survivors of
the old regiment may take melancholy
interest in looking on this memorial Of
80 years ago.
The late civil war is represented among
unredeemed pledges by watches, medals,
badges and other tributes to bravery.
A gold chronometer-balance watch, val.
ued at $500, was . gift " from the line
officers to Col A. w. Taylor, of the
Fourth Regiment N. Y. s. Vols.," in
1872. It was presented while the regi-
ment was drawn UP at dress parade,
shortly after an engagement in which
Col Taylor exhibited great gallantry.
The ceremony took placs st. Suffolk, Va.
Army badges have found their way to
pawnshops in considerable numbers, and
represent many divisions OF the armies
of the Potomac and Tennessee. Among
these badges il one awarded - prize for
recruiting service BY the seventh regi.
ment of this city 70 6ergt. William ).
knight. A badge which Is very elegant
in finish and design was given TO Adam
Schaeler BY Lieut.. Col. F. A. 6chilling
in 1873. Other regimental badges show
in what high esteem Company B. seventy
ninth regiment held Private William
Robertson and Serght Meg. Stewart.
There il no claas more conspicuouAly
represented among unredeemed pledges
than politicians-men who in the past
have been prominent in federal and
civil politics. These relics Of fallHn
leaders include every variety Of memen-
toes, and are generally of the best class
of workmanship. An elaborate Amsri.
Gus club badge, surpounted BY an eagle
in gold and having . tigers head in the
centre cut from agate, beam the sugges-
tive initials " w. H. f." and is believed
to have once been the property of VIM.
NJ. Tweed, from whom it was probably
stolen. A silver tobacco box Of rather
antique style, and showing wear from
constant use, is engraved with plain let
ters on top John Morrissey, champion"
The fre department II represented BY at
least fifty trumpets and numerous
badges.
Among the curiosities which have
come from the pawnshops, IL an old
and dilapidated Bible, worn by age
and use, and now held together by twine.
It was one Of the first subscription Bibles
published in this city, and was printed
1t the old Washington headquarters in
Bowling Green. On hy-leaf the sig ma
lures Of the subscribers appear. All
were Representatives of the old Knicker-
booker families. Another curious relic
is an antique cross surmounted by =
crown studded with small diamonds
The back il covered with religious in
scTiptions In Latin.
Prizes won in athletic contestA rowing.
races and other sports, and in the brutal
battle of the prize ring, arc often used
10 raise money upon, and frequently are
mot called for. The silver belt won and
worn BY Michael Cnburn, the welLknown
pugilist and convict, i now in the pos
ses1ion Of : Bowery dealer in pledges
and attracts much notice. Michael Col
barn held this belt against all comegs ~
the champion ight-weight fighter Of the
world In 1873. There are also exhibited
gold standard presented to Moses
Humphrey, champion bona player;' =