Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-02-12
HON. A. Il. BOTELER.

The hall of the Y. NJ. G. a. was liter
ally filled by the large audience, which
assembled on Friday evening OF last
week, to listen 10 Mr.. Botelers lecture,
entitled Justice 10 James Rumsey.
The distinguished speaker fully sustain
ed his widespread reputation tor clio
quence and learning in his manner of
treating this subject. His opening re
marks consisted of number Of beaull-
full classical illustrations, that seemed TO
entirely captivate his intelligent and
cultured audience. lie then proceeded
to give a terse and comprehensive his
tory of James Rumsey and his two
rivals, Fulton and Fitch, sustaining his
statements by quotations from such au-
thorities as General Washington, Con
gress, the Legislatures OF Virginia and
Maryland, the acknowledgements OF
Fitch and Fulton, and many others.
lie showed conclusively that James
Rumsey conceived the idea of applying
steam TO the propellina of boats, while
he was living at Bath (now Berkeley
Springs,) which was prior to the Reyo-
lutionary War, and that he put his idea
to a practical and successful test several
times: First he built boat, which he
launched upon the Potomac at Sir
Johns Run; and afterwards he launch
ed several at Shepherdstown, which
were destroyed by succession OF floods
and other unfortunate circumstances.
The Lecturer gave minute description
Of the machinery used by Rnmsey, and
showed that il compared favorably with
that row 10 use. lie then showed, by
what seemed to be conclusive proof,
that neither Fulton nor Fitch (he only
pretended rivals of Rumsey) ever
dreamed of such all invention, or gave
expression to such an idea until years
after Rumsey had actually demonstra-
ted its practical success and value. lie
supposed Fulton 10 have gotten the
idea from Rumsey, with whom he was
well acquainted in England. Fitch
probably got his knowledge from the
same source, through relative OF
Rumsey. Rumsey went to England in
order to obtain assistance in pcrfecting
his invention. Being unsuccessful he
was advised TO explain his views and
plans 10 n London audience. This he
was forced by his poverty and mistor-
tunes TO assent TO. Not being accus-
toned 10 public speaking, he was over
come by finding himself in the presence
of thousands OF ladies aud gentlemen.
lie attempted TO speak but failed; again
he assayed to address them, and in so
doing was attacked by fit Of apo
plexy, which proved fatal.-narfin'-
burg ndependenL
A LITERARY TREAT-"JUsTICE TO
JAMES RUMsEY. Hon Alex. Botclcr,
of Jefferson county, delivered an es-
pecialy interesting Lecture in this city,
on Friday evening last, under the au-
spices Of the Y NJ. Z. A. to crowded
and intelligent audience. Mr.. Bis
theme was, "Justice to James Rumsey,"
who was native OF this county when
it included what is now known as JEFF.
ferson, and whose Will is recorded in
the Clerks office, clearly proving by
unimpeachabe evidence, that MIR Rum.
sey was the fret inventor Of the steam
boat in this or any other country, Of
which there is any record. and tina, that
miniature boat, from which the means
of traversing our great waters was OBJ
taiued, was launched III the Potomac
at Shepberdstown, w. Va. Mr. b. has
thoroughly acquainted himself with the
historical facts connected with this
wonderful invention and presents them
in clear aud forcible manner. The
subject enlisted marked attention and
all who heard it were deligbted.-Nor-
insburg Statesman.