Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-29
Mr. BARNsYs CANE.
An Interesting Walking stick. Portion of
which Is from the Keel of the Old Revo-
lutianary Ship Alliance.

An Interesting Walking stick, Portion Of
Which is from the Keel of the Old Revo-
iutianary Ship Alliance.
Alexander Barney, well. to-do cahi-
net maker residing at No. 81 West
Thirteenth street, has In his posses
sion q number of canes of historical
value, all Of which he made himself.
Probably the most interesting one was
seen by a reporter OF 1.-THE Gazetteen
on Saturday., 1t Is made of oak, ma
hogany, amaranth, white birch and
yermiilion, small pieces OF each kind
OF wood being securely glued together
and dressed up so as to make pretty
combination. The black oak was OBJ
tanned from the keel Of the old Revolu-
tlonary ship Alliance, which went to
pieces some years ago in the upper
Delaware river. The Alliance for a
long time was supposed to be the first
ship to carry the American flag, but
the story has since been found to be
untrue. A portion of the wood was also
part Of the famous Royal Oak on the
Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The wood from the keel OF the ALI
ance WA obtained in a roundabout
way, and Mr.. Barney got hold Of il by
the merest chance. When the OLD boat
was beached near Camden, many years
ago, member of Congress saw that it
was going to wreck and thought ii
would be good idea to secure some
OF the wood and have it preserved on
account of its historical value.
section of the keel was removed and
sent by the Congressman to Washing
ton, where it was exhibited for short
time. 1t was in the crude state, and
it was decided to have it made up into
articles that would be ornamental in
decorating the homes of the members
of Congress, or, rather. few of them
who realized the historical worth OF
the wood.
Accordingly it was wrapped in a
canvas and sent TO this CITY, where
Joseph Springer, who had cabinet
shop at Second and Shipley streets, in
one Of the old buildings now being de-
molished, and Mr.. Springer was in
structed to make sundry articles for the
parties interested. Some got picture
frames, some pincushion frames, and in
Iact the wood was put into various
shapes.
There were, Of course, portions Of the
WOOD left in the shop after the desires
49, CNhbltbSliltIl were Satisfied, and
a brother of Mr.. Barney, who was an
employe of Mr.. Springer, appropriated
small piece for himself, which he
manufactured at his leisure into a min
cushion for his wife.
Mr.. Barney several years ago drifted
away from Wilmington and he died in
Troy. The relatives here knew nothing
OF the death for some time when
Mr. Barney's employer, learning that
they resided here, sent them informa-
tlon concerning the death, and asked
them to pay balance on the funeral
expenses.
MIR. Barney had died without means
and portion of his tools were sold TO
pay. the expenses, but the money real
lied fell short and his former EMPLOYER
made up the balance. Alexander, The
brother in this city, was informed that
If he would forward the balance
chest of tools, which remained unsold
would be sent here. The money was
sent on and the tool chest arrived in
due season. Among other things In
the chest was the pin cushion, which
had been made from the wood of the
Alliances keel Mr.. Barney prizes il
very highly and has cut it up and por-
ton OF the wood is now in the cane.
Mr.. Barney is first class mechanic.
and his inventive ideas have resulted
in his now having a collection of inter
,stlng articles of his own make.