The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-11
AUTOGRAPH IN WOOD.
President Arthnr's Name Cut
During College Days.
IN AN OLD WINDOW CASING.
The Treasured Relic OF the Late Presi-
dent Owned by Justice Of the Peace
Hancock Maggie.

Mr.. Hancock Neagle, justice Of the
peace, has relic which he prizes highly
the autograph OF the late President Ches-
ter A. Arthur. Ii was cut into q spruce
board with penknife when Arthur vas .
student at Union college. Schenectady. Y.
Y, IN Is53, over tflirty-seven years ago.
Mr. Neagie. who attended Union, was
graduated n 1881 He says that when the
president was at the college il was the Gus
tom Of the boys to cut their names in tie
spruce window-casings OF the doFEnito-y,
and in 1855 every embarrassing was lined
with the names OF students
In 1855 or IS the trustees OF the college
conIuded 70 renovate and repair the build
ings. The old castings, with their wealth
OF carefully carved names, we're taken out,
the painters purtied up the holes made by
hundreds Of penknives, painted them over,
and for over thirty years the 0sd casings
have formed part OF the fence that en-
closes the college grounds.
When Mr.. Neag.e was IT college the rain
and sun Of years had beaten down upon
the old fence, washed away the pant and
laid bare the cnarse-grained wood. Since
the putty was Of much lighter color than
the boards, the names stood out IN bold
relief. Taen the students we're won't 10
search for names on the old fence. and
found the WORK interesting, for many of
the names cut 50 many years before were
recognized As belonging 10 men who have
gained national reputation.
When Chester :. arthur was nominated
for vice president in 1850, Mr.. SeagIe be-
gan hunting ioT his name on the Old fence,
and found il IN two different places. IN one
tie name vas entire and perfectly CIT;
bat IN the other the letters we're not 50
clear, and only tie Arthur" IN small cap
itais remained Both strips Of casing
were cut out. and Mr. Magic has had them
in his trunk ever since. The full name IS
&C A. Arthur" cut IN capitals and small
capitals. The Lrst big G OF the name
shows plainly every movement OF the PEN
knife IN the hands OF Arthur. At inter
yals there IS slash IN the board az right
angles, showing where the knife slipped
and shot OF with the grain. Beso1 the
name in Greek lettering is carved Psi
Epsilon" the name OF the college society
OF which he was member.
The college was founded in 1871, and the
surroundings are very interesting and full
OF historic associations.
W. H. Seward, President Lincoln's sec
Rotary OF state, was a graduate OF Union
college. just outside the window OF his
room protrEded a broad stone ledge. IN
which Seward. when a student. chiseiesl
his name IN large, even letters Il IS still
lDsFe, a. permanent as Tie s1Os3e lESt4l-
When Arthur attended college his
room was one story above that
once occupied By Seward. and
Arthur could look ont and see the name
in the window ledge below. The sight
evidently inspired him, for he, too. chiseed
his name in the stone Of his own window
ledge. 4 visitor can step into the room
occupied by the president and see his
name in the ledge. Leaning out the win
dow little he discovers the name Of Sew
ard clearly cut below