The Charlotte Democrat., 1890-06-13
Charlotte Democrat.
CHARLOTTE. N. &.
A History OF North Carolina
4 MUSEUM OF WAR RELICS.
VIEWS OF GEN. BARRINGER.


A MUSEUM OF WAR RELICS.
VIEWS OF GEN. BARRINGER.
After the Alumni Banquet at Chapel
Hill, and after the endowment Of the
Chair OF History, Gen. Rufus Barringer
said:
"Our work, Mr. President, is only yet
Just begun. The vital points still remain
ing to secure good history of this State
are (l) to arrange for collecting and pre-.
serving class Of materials and memorials
heretofore little thought OF, such as war rel
ics,private manuscripts and the like These
often give the clearest and best ideas of
past life and events. (2) To find writer
and scholar 90 inspired with his subject
and with the spirit of historic truth and
justice as to settle for all time the real
story OF the Colonial period, and Gispel
the doubts and distrust overshadowing
the few marked events n our history.
To these ends, good collection OF
books on American history, and museum
of war relics, are of the first Importance.
In this matter the expense could not be
large, and the Legislature would readily
grant the small additional amount, if only
assured of its proper use. But the cell
must be above all mere party or personal
desires.
As some evidence of what may be done,
have here three small relics of our past
life and history, selected from q collection
made by myself since the centennial years
1876. at Charlotte and Philadelphia
This ovlIectlOn nad partially arranged
60 donate TO q museum at Charlotte. But
really it ought to be in connection with
~ nd ha rnl IF
the Chair of History. All the public
want is an ample guarantee OF safety and
good faith 10 the use. Herein has been
in this direction.
WAR AND REVOLUTIONARY RELICS.
Look here, said Gen. Barriuger, hold,
ing it up, ia a very curiously and hand
somely carved powder horn of the Colo
nial period, that saw service in at least
two great wars. 1t was made and worn
by Archibald Woodside of old Rowan,
now the Iredell part; and was at the
memorable struggle at Fort Pitt, l754-58,
as referred to by me in earlier remarks.
1t has on it an exact plan of "Fort Pitt"
in its strong river surroundings, with all
the numerous objects and animals OF the
wild west of $50 years ago. But Wood
side was no ordinary soldier or adven-
turer. He was type of the early colo
nial period. He was plain man, but full
Of research and apt at handicraft. He
was, besides, a school master and q music
teacher, who made his own "notes" aud
"arithmetics," some of which have.
And here is a mouldy old copy of the
journal of the Provincial Congress Of
November, 1916, at Halifax, that framed
ha SFakn al 81,
of war and revolution. 1t is one of the
Col. Saunders, Secretary of State, has just
manuscript, marked "Miscellanious." 1t
is intensely interesting as showing the
spirit and trials of the day, aud ought to
be re-pubished. 1t was the property of
Benjamin Patton, one Of the "signers."
And once more: This musty, rough,
raw-hide manuscript volume is the "Jour-
nal'' and account Book" of William
Alexander of Mecklenburg, the man who
saw Captain Jack in Philadel phia on the
2lst of June, 1775, as the "bearer of the
Declaration of Independence made at
Charlotte"
The Colonial Fathers literally breathed
the air of difficulty, danger and death;
they had none OF the blab and buster of
to-day. So this journal makes no note of
either public or political events or Incl
dents. The writer was a peddling trader,
who dealt mainly in furs and pink root,
and who made occasional trips North on
such business. He bought and sold all
sort of odds and ends tor his neighbors
and friends, including Waightstill Avery,
John Mcknitt Alexander and others, and |
the book 10 q "Marvel of Multiplicity,"
showing the exact manners and customs |
OF the times and the iatsnse struggle for |
existence. He was in l777 Regimental |
Commissary and shows purchases OF ra |
tions for several companies. Above all, |
1t well illustrates the exact practical m eth |
DDS OF the early settlers. He notes "party
free" and "party charged" "Anna |
hdkfs, "wide-mouthed bottles, ""the rates
and cost of standard measures" "exam-
ming book account for neighbors and
others, shipping furs" and Chatting furs,"
"gown calico for Easter" and cunningly
mixed is the constant entry of "to SER
mon," "to MUSTER" and "tor cakes and
drink" But he was q man OF sense aud
sentiment. He called on "Dr. Rush." at
Philadelphia, and "slept at Princeton
College" one night.
What misfortune to our State and
people that heretofore no practical meth.
DDS have been adopted amongst us to
gather up and utilize for Historical pur-
poses such treasures of the past. We
stand almost alone in our neglect in this
vital matter. But the masses of the peo
pie themselves are now arousing to the
subject, and good, popular History they
must have. And there is both fame and
fortune TO the happy man who is to write
it. am 30 sure OF its success, if just the
thing, that would not hesitate to under
take guaranty myself of 500 copies.
"There's millions in it," both for the au.
thor and the State.
gB A California paper says: "The
liquid in which the State Board of Trade
has go successfully preserved fruit for
purposes is prepared as follows:
Thirty gallons of filter ed water are placed {
10 barrel, and on the water is placed {
tin pan containing 25 cents worth of
sulphur. The sulphur is set on fire, and |
the top of the barrel is covered with {
piece of oilskin, so as to retain the fumes.
When the sulphur ceases to burn the
covering is removed, allowing the supply
OF oxygen in the barrel to be renewed, and ,